Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Lincoln, NE in 2026?
In Lincoln, NE, the average babysitter earns about $16.74 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $670/week or $2,902/month. Most Lincoln families pay somewhere in the $14–$22/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 355 live babysitter listings in Lincoln on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $670
- Monthly
- $2,902
- Annual
- $34,819
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What drives the price
Most Lincoln families pay somewhere in the $14–$22/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.
Experience
Number of kids
| 1 kid (baseline) | $16.74 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$17.74 |
| 3+ kids | ~$18.74+ |
Hours & schedule
| Weekday 9–5 (standard) | — |
|---|---|
| Evening/weekend | +$2–4/hr |
| Last-minute | +$3–5/hr |
Also factor in: live-in vs. live-out · household duties beyond childcare · driving · cooking · travel.
Full-time, part-time, and live-in babysitter rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $17.79/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $16.81/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $16.62/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $17.72/hr |
Part-time runs slightly lower per hour than full-time here, which often means strong full-time demand supports higher rates for committed schedules.
Live-in rates are close to live-out here — but the package usually still includes room and board, so the all-in cost can be lower than it appears. The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the babysitter.
How do Lincoln babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Lincoln runs below the U.S. average for babysitter rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.
Hiring babysitters in Lincoln, NE typically costs about 4% less than the Nebraska average of $17/hour and 12% less than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Lincoln, NE |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | $17/hr | — |
| Nebraska | $17/hr | +4% |
| United States | $19/hr | +13% |
Where Lincoln, NE fits among nearby cities
8 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $15.82/hour in Kearney to $18.14/hour in Omaha.
Below: how each compares to the Lincoln, NE average of $16.74/hour — Lincoln, NE is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Lincoln, NE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omaha | $18.14 | +8% | |
| 2 | Elkhorn | $18.09 | +8% | |
| 3 | Bellevue | $17.67 | +6% | |
| 4 | Papillion | $17.39 | +4% | |
| 5 | Lincoln | $16.74 | — | |
| 6 | Norfolk | $16.69 | — | |
| 7 | Grand Island | $16.37 | -2% | |
| 8 | Kearney | $15.82 | -5% |
Tips to find a great babysitter without overpaying
- Be flexible on experience. Some of the best babysitters on the platform have 3–5 years on the job and charge meaningfully less than experienced babysitters with 10+ years. References matter more than years.
- Consider a share. If your kids are similar ages and you live near another family, a share is the single biggest cost reduction available without compromising on care.
- Be specific about hours upfront. Most babysitters will take a slightly lower rate for a guaranteed steady schedule than for a higher-rate, unpredictable one.
- Bundle benefits thoughtfully. Two weeks PTO, a health stipend, transit passes, education assistance, or an annual raise commitment can help close the gap with families offering a higher hourly rate.
- Match rate to responsibilities. A higher rate often makes sense once you add cooking, errands, or driving. Don't compare apples to oranges across listings.
How to reduce nanny costs?
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a babysitter in Lincoln, NE
Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with babysitters — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:
- 01
Browse babysitter profiles in Lincoln, NE
Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.
- 02
Message the ones who look like a fit
Reach out to the babysitters whose experience and rate match what you're looking for.
- 03
Schedule a phone call, then a paid trial day
Trial days feel awkward at first — that's normal. They're the best way to see how a babysitter fits with your family in real time.
- 04
Hire your babysitter
If you'd rather not handle taxes and payroll yourself, our payroll team can take care of it.
Available babysitters in Lincoln, NE
355 active listings in Lincoln
Nanny Kim
Nanny Kim
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Brynn
Nanny Brynn
A little bit about me
I have experience balancing school, athletics, and other commitments, which has helped me develop excellent time-management and communication skills. I love creating a fun, safe, and positive environment for children while ensuring their needs are met. Whether it's helping with homework, playing games, preparing simple meals, or following daily routines, I am committed to providing attentive and reliable care.
I would love the opportunity to help your family and provide dependable childcare you can trust.
Nanny Olivia
Nanny Olivia
A little bit about me
Nanny Mahalia
Nanny Mahalia
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Savanna
Nanny Savanna
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certification
Nanny Abby
Nanny Abby
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny McKelvie
Nanny McKelvie
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny AbbyGail
Nanny AbbyGail
A little bit about me
I’d like consider myself a dependable and loving nanny/babysitter who truly enjoys spending time with kids! I have experience caring for children of different ages (6months-12yrs).
I’m a patient, energetic, and nurturing person! My goal is to always create a warm and happy space where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged to be themselves!
My main contingency is that i dont have a license, i cannot provide transportation for children throughout my time caring for them but i am always ready to help with daily routines, playtime, homework, and light household tasks related to childcare!!