Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Dayton, OH in 2026?

In Dayton, OH, the average babysitter earns about $16.57 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $663/week or $2,872/month. Most Dayton families pay somewhere in the $11–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$16.57/hr · Dayton average

These numbers come from 225 live babysitter listings in Dayton on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$663
$2,872
$34,466

Find babysitters near you

What drives the price

Most Dayton families pay somewhere in the $11–$25/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 $16.14/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $17.95/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)$16.57
2 kids~$17.57
3+ kids~$18.57+

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$17.10/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$16.59/hr
Occasional5–15 hrs/week$16.80/hr
Live-inSet by family$16.64/hr

Part-time and full-time hourly rates are similar here — short schedules don't always command a premium when full-time openings are easy to fill.

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 Dayton babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?

Dayton runs below the U.S. average for babysitter rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.

Hiring babysitters in Dayton, OH typically costs about 2% less than the Ohio average of $17/hour and 12% less than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Dayton, OH and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Dayton, OH
Dayton, OH$17/hr
Ohio$17/hr+3%
United States$19/hr+14%

Where Dayton, OH fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $15.70/hour in Toledo to $18.28/hour in Westerville.

Below: how each compares to the Dayton, OH average of $16.57/hour — Dayton, OH is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Dayton, OH ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Dayton, OH
1Westerville$18.28+10%
2Columbus$18.03+9%
3Cincinnati$17.94+8%
4Cleveland$17.82+8%
5Hamilton$16.87+2%
6Akron$16.76+1%
Dayton$16.57
8Kent$16.31-2%
9Canton$16.15-3%
10Toledo$15.70-5%
Most expensive nearby: Westerville ($18.28) Least expensive nearby: Toledo ($15.70)

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 Dayton, OH

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 Dayton, OH

    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 Dayton, OH

225 active listings in Dayton

Anita U. - Seeking Work in Dayton

Nanny Anita

Dayton, OH
$17/hr
Occasional
6 years experience

A little bit about me

hii! my name is Anita and I love to take care of kids. I’ve been doing it all my life since i’ve always had nieces and nephews to take care of while their parents had to attend events or just have some alone time. I’d love to do that with you!

Have experience working with

Infants
Christina J. - Seeking Work in Dayton

Nanny Christina

Dayton, OH
$18 - $30/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi I’m Christina, I’m 18 and I used to tutor kids but now I’m a pharmacy technician! I’m in college to be a pharmacist :)
Krystianna M. - Seeking Work in Dayton

Nanny Krystianna

Dayton, OH
$15 - $18/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

I'm a current college student looking for summer jobs, studying in the field of education, so I'm highly trained to be able to manage children. I also have several younger family members and various pets that I have been tasked to care for since I was young, so I do have experience with younger kids even if it is not my specialty. I love working with kids, and can provide help with homework whenever needed, and can cook if ingredients are provided. I have worked as a marching band instructor for over a year, working with kids 13 and older, making up activities for them to participate in and keep engaged, as well as providing care and helping learn. I also did tutoring work for about a year and a half, working with kids 11 and older. I and a very relaxed person, but I will not let kids slack on responsibilities if they have any. I love getting to do fun activities outside when permitted, and I can make just about anything fun or engaging for kids!

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Tadiwa M. - Seeking Work in Dayton

Nanny Tadiwa

Dayton, OH
$15 - $18/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Gentle, fun, hardworking. Recent grad looking to meet you and help you take care of your bundles of joy!!😁 very reliable and honest

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Gene'a M. - Seeking Work in Dayton

Nanny Gene'a

Dayton, OH
$20 - $35/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Gene'a Mitchell, I am a 34 year old professional who has spent the last 10+ years working in NonProfit Education! As an educator I have worked in a variety of roles, with an array of children; primarily in underserved communities.

My commitments:
Children should be well-rounded; reading, listening, cooking, exploring the world around them, being curious, learning other cultures, etc.
Children should be respectful, while being respected. I believe that children should be allowed to ask "why" and adults should give an honest answer and if we don't know the answer that is ok!
Children should try new experiences: Pottery, Photography, Gardening, Skateboarding, Rollerskating, Painting, etc.

I believe that I can provide what children deserve, please see above!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Erica M. - Seeking Work in Dayton

Nanny Erica

Dayton, OH
$15 - $16/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I am a 14-year-old who is going into high school and who would like to make a little extra money. I have experience watching my siblings around the house.
Terica L. - Seeking Work in Dayton

Nanny Terica

Dayton, OH
$16/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I would like to start this off by saying I do not drive, but I have transportation, I have established flexibility to work whatever schedule you may need. I am driven by a passion for nurturing young minds, I'm eager to provide a safe and engaging environment for your children. My experience in previous babysitting roles solidified my commitment to supporting families. I'm comfortable caring for up to four children of all ages. I am patient, friendly, and happy to play outdoor sports, board games, and educational games with your children. I'm also comfortable enforcing household rules. I provide regular updates via text or phone call, and I'm flexible with using your preferred communication method. I am trained in CPR. I am also willing to help with cooking and light housekeeping. Knowing I can positively impact a child's life brings me immense joy, and I look forward to the opportunity to care for your family.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
SeRaye B. - Seeking Work in Dayton

Nanny SeRaye

Dayton, OH
$17/hr
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi families!
My name is SeRaye. Important stuff out the way, I am a Wittenberg Alumn, and I love working with kiddos. I was an art teacher for grades k-6 for 2.5years, and ran my own summer literacy program of 50 scholars within that time, until I decided to take a HUGE leap of faith towards (what I believe is my calling) my career in art therapy. I am currently pursuing my MSW and working at a Dayton Children's Mental Health Facility.
CPR & First Aid

FUN STUFF!
Favorite color: Green
LOVE being outdoors
Heavy reader- working on my home library
Favorite flower is sunflowers
I have a cat named Whispers (she's sassy & old)
I enjoy plants... ALOT

Apart from teaching art Im an artist myself and have showcased in a few museums. So art is often included in my interventions :)
I am familiar with kiddos that need extra encouragement and direction. (My teacher voice still exists)
Lastly, I'm an older sister, nothing phases me :)

Hope to work with you soon!!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Dina M. - Seeking Work in Dayton

Nanny Dina

Dayton, OH
$16/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

I’m 16 years old I have experience in taking care of children and I know how to do normal living necessities such as cleaning, cooking and laundry

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Find Nannies Near Me

Related costs in Dayton OH

Popular services in Dayton, OH

Start your journey towards finding your perfect babysitter

Get Started