Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

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

In Dayton, TN, the average babysitter earns about $13.33 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $533/week or $2,311/month. Most Dayton families pay somewhere in the $7–$20/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$13.33/hr · Dayton average

These numbers come from 53 live babysitter listings in Dayton on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$533
$2,311
$27,726

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What drives the price

Most Dayton families pay somewhere in the $7–$20/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.


01

Experience

Experience is one of the biggest levers on a babysitter's rate.
Nannies with 10+ years, or specialty skills like newborn care or multiple languages, typically command the highest hourly rates.

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)$13.33
2 kids~$14.33
3+ kids~$15.33+

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.

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, TN typically costs about 14% less than the Tennessee average of $15/hour and 21% less than the United States average of $17/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Dayton, TN and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Dayton, TN
Dayton, TN$13/hr
Tennessee$15/hr+16%
United States$17/hr+26%

Where Dayton, TN fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $12.93/hour in Cookeville to $20.93/hour in Franklin.

Below: how each compares to the Dayton, TN average of $13.33/hour.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Dayton, TN ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Dayton, TN
1Franklin$20.93+57%
2Nashville$19.68+48%
3Murfreesboro$15.79+18%
4Knoxville$15.43+16%
5Chattanooga$15.00+13%
6Memphis$14.81+11%
7Cleveland$14.07+6%
8Clarksville$13.82+4%
9Johnson City$13.45+1%
10Cookeville$12.93-3%
Most expensive nearby: Franklin ($20.93) Least expensive nearby: Cookeville ($12.93)

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, TN

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, TN

    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, TN

53 active listings in Dayton

Carol T. - Seeking Work in Dayton

Nanny Carol

Dayton, TN
$15/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Carol, and I'm looking for a nanny position. I'm 19 years old. I'm currently a first year college student studying nursing. I'm actually planning on going into pediatrics because I love babies and kids! I'm really good with children; I have little cousins that I babysit all of the time. This has given me a lot of great experience especially with children around 3 months to 4 years old. I have a driver's license and a car so I always have a reliable form of transportation. I can work anywhere from 10 to 30 hours a week. I would love an opportunity to work for a family and help take care of their children!

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Brooklynn C. - Seeking Work in Dayton

Nanny Brooklynn

Dayton, TN
$15.19/hr
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi I'm brooklynn I'm 18 years old and good with kids

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Pheobe M. - Seeking Work in Dayton

Nanny Pheobe

Dayton, TN
$16/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

My name is pheobe and I’m 19 years.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Savannah M. - Seeking Work in Dayton

Nanny Savannah

Dayton, TN
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I love kids. I'm very into art and crafts. I love animals. I'm good at cleaning and will keep every neat. I'm patient and I was apart of a club that encourages the inclusion of everyone and special needs children.
I'm good with special needs kids

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

CPR
Haylee W. - Seeking Work in Dayton

Nanny Haylee

Dayton, TN
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi families!!! My name is Haylee, and I have a genuine passion for caring for children. I understand that leaving your little ones with someone new is a big decision, which is why I want to assure you that your child will be in safe, capable, and loving hands.
With years of dedicated experience caring for babies, toddlers, and young children, I am exceptionally good at making every babysitting session fun, engaging, and nurturing. I specialize in everything from creative play and educational activities to adhering to complex routines and ensuring a comfortable bedtime.
You can trust me to provide the highest standard of care while prioritizing your child's safety and well-being. I look forward to connecting with you and becoming a positive presence in your child's life!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Mariela G. - Seeking Work in Dayton

Nanny Mariela

Dayton, TN
$20/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I’m very sweet and independent know how to do house cleaning and meal preparation
Andrea J R. - Seeking Work in Dayton

Nanny Andrea J

Dayton, TN
$13.66/hr
Part-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

I work as a part time teacher assistant at a middle school. I live in Rhea Co. I baby sit my cute nephew who is 2 and I love little kids.
Amber H. - Seeking Work in Dayton

Nanny Amber

Dayton, TN
$13/hr
Full-time
9 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello, I am qualified mother material! I am a single mother of 4 amazing children (ages 1,6,7,9) . I love being a mother to my own children, would love to care for other children as well.
Katelyn K. - Seeking Work in Dayton

Nanny Katelyn

Dayton, TN
$13/hr
Full-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

I have worked in childcare since 2018. I currently have a young daughter who is breastfed and needs to stay with me but I’m looking for some extra income to help pay the bills.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
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