Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Elizabeth, NJ in 2026?

In Elizabeth, NJ, the average babysitter earns about $20.46 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $818/week or $3,546/month. Most Elizabeth families pay somewhere in the $15–$30/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$20.46/hr · Elizabeth average

These numbers come from 154 live babysitter listings in Elizabeth on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$818
$3,546
$42,557

Find babysitters near you

What drives the price

Most Elizabeth families pay somewhere in the $15–$30/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.


01

Experience

More experienced babysitters command higher rates. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $19.13/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $22.67/hour.
Avg hourly rate by years of experience

02

Number of kids

One child is the baseline. Each additional child usually adds $1–$2/hour. Twins and infants tend toward the high end.
+$1 to $2/hour per additional child
Hourly rate by number of kids
1 kid (baseline)$20.46
2 kids~$21.46
3+ kids~$22.46+

03

Hours & schedule

Standard weekday daytime hours are easiest to staff. Early mornings, evenings, weekends, and last-minute coverage all push rates up.
10–20%premium for off-hours coverage
Hourly rate adjustment by 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

ArrangementTypical hoursAverage rate
Full-time35–50 hrs/week$22.31/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$20.17/hr
Occasional5–15 hrs/week$21.06/hr
Live-inSet by family$20.73/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.

Browse babysitters

How do Elizabeth babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?

Elizabeth runs above the U.S. average for babysitter rates, in line with most major metros.

Hiring babysitters in Elizabeth, NJ typically costs about 2% less than the New Jersey average of $21/hour and 9% more than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Elizabeth, NJ and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Elizabeth, NJ
Elizabeth, NJ$20/hr
New Jersey$21/hr+2%
United States$19/hr-8%

Where Elizabeth, NJ fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $18.66/hour in Paterson to $23.28/hour in Hoboken.

Below: how each compares to the Elizabeth, NJ average of $20.46/hour — Elizabeth, NJ is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Elizabeth, NJ ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Elizabeth, NJ
1Hoboken$23.28+14%
2Montclair$22.69+11%
3Toms River$21.04+3%
4Jersey City$20.79+2%
5Union City$20.70+1%
Elizabeth$20.46
7East Orange$20.41
8Newark$20.25-1%
9Trenton$19.63-4%
10Paterson$18.66-9%
Most expensive nearby: Hoboken ($23.28) Least expensive nearby: Paterson ($18.66)

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?

Split the cost of a nanny with another family
and enjoy flexible child care.
Learn more about nanny sharing

How families use Nanny Lane to find a babysitter in Elizabeth, NJ

Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with babysitters — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:

  1. 01

    Browse babysitter profiles in Elizabeth, NJ

    Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.

  2. 02

    Message the ones who look like a fit

    Reach out to the babysitters whose experience and rate match what you're looking for.

  3. 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.

  4. 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 Elizabeth, NJ

154 active listings in Elizabeth

Amanda C. - Seeking Work in Elizabeth

Nanny Amanda

Elizabeth, NJ
$25 - $30/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Certified 200-Hour Yoga Instructor and experienced childcare professional with over 10 years of experience in wellness/movement, youth development, customer service, and caregiving. Passionate about creating welcoming, safe, and inclusive environments that promote movement, mindfulness, and personal growth. Recognized for strong communication, professionalism, and the ability to build meaningful relationships with clients, children, and families.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid

Recent reference

"Amanda was the light of our home and assured our boys not only remained safe and looked after, but were emotionally and intellectually tended to as well. Our boys always felt secure and her willingness to understand my boys have changed them for all years to come. Please feel free to reach out in regards to our Beloved Amanda"
- Amanda
Makiyyah C. - Seeking Work in Elizabeth

Nanny Makiyyah

Elizabeth, NJ
$18 - $30/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Makiyyah, and I am a responsible, caring, and dependable babysitter with over three years of experience caring for children of different ages. Through babysitting and helping care for my younger siblings, I have developed strong skills in supervising children, planning fun and educational activities, assisting with homework, preparing meals, and maintaining a safe and positive environment.

I am patient, attentive, and committed to making sure children feel comfortable, happy, and well cared for while their parents are away. I enjoy engaging with children through games, arts and crafts, reading, and outdoor activities. Parents can count on me to be reliable, trustworthy, and focused on their child’s safety and well-being.

I look forward to helping families by providing quality childcare and creating a nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and have fun.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Shantiece D. - Seeking Work in Elizabeth

Nanny Shantiece

Elizabeth, NJ
$20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Married mom of 7 children myself love fun but I know when to be a friend an a parent I love cooking cleaning and activities you may come home and child making foods from scratch I’m all for freedom and education

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Layla V. - Seeking Work in Elizabeth

Nanny Layla

Elizabeth, NJ
$20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

I am a caring and dependable babysitter who enjoys creating a safe, fun, and supportive environment for children. I am a first-year college student with experience working through a childcare agency, caring for children of different ages. I am knowledgeable in meal preparation, potty training, helping with schoolwork, and establishing bedtime routines. I have my own car and am patient, reliable, and fun, while always prioritizing safety and respect. Families are always welcome to contact me at any time with questions or needs.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Melisa M. - Seeking Work in Elizabeth

Nanny Melisa

Elizabeth, NJ
$20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi im melisa,
Im a student at Kean, I love kids, Im the first on my moms side and i have a liltle sister, so I know very well how to be around them and do all their needs. Im creative person and very patince, I love playing with kids, and being a nanny its one of my dreams
Victoria F. - Seeking Work in Elizabeth

Nanny Victoria

Elizabeth, NJ
$20/hr
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I’m a responsible, caring, and energetic person who loves working with kids. I have experience babysitting children of different ages and enjoy helping with homework, playing games, and keeping things fun and safe. I’m reliable, patient, and always make sure the kids I care for feel comfortable and happy. I'm really excited about the opportunity to support your family!

Have experience working with

Infants
Akelia C. - Seeking Work in Elizabeth

Nanny Akelia

Elizabeth, NJ
$20 - $30/hr
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hello My name is Akelia Cox, I am 18 years old and I am currently a senior at Linden High School. I graduate June 22, 2018 and I am so excited to start working with new families. 4 years ago I baby sat for a family friend that I knew, I babysat her 1 year old toddler on several occasions, many of the reasons were that her parents were going out. I loved Every moment of my experience, I got to Feed her , change her , play with her outside and then put her down for a nap. It was all in all a wonderful experience and that’s why I’m searching again, I currently work at Burlington part time but will change my availability in the summer. I hope To hear from you soon and best of luck with your search.

Have experience working with

Infants
Jocelyn C. - Seeking Work in Elizabeth

Nanny Jocelyn

Elizabeth, NJ
$19/hr
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I'm Jocelyn and I am a caring, responsible, and dependable individual with a genuine love for working with children. I enjoy creating a safe, fun, and nurturing environment where kids can learn, grow, and feel supported. I am patient, attentive, and committed to helping families by providing reliable childcare and positive experiences for their children.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Beatriz S. - Seeking Work in Elizabeth

Nanny Beatriz

Elizabeth, NJ
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! I’m Bia; I’m 23 years old and Brazilian. I was raised in a very loving family that cared for children in group homes for teenagers, so I grew up with kids in the house and always helped my parents with everything—from newborns to older children! I have experience with housekeeping and meal preparation, and I am a very safe driver! My English is at an intermediate level, but I learn very quickly; my native language is Portuguese, and I also understand quite a bit of Spanish! I’m the favorite aunt to my nieces and nephews, and I would love to help you on this journey of caring for your children. Thank you in advance!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Find Nannies Near Me

Related costs in Elizabeth NJ

Popular services in Elizabeth, NJ

Start your journey towards finding your perfect babysitter

Get Started