Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

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

In Nashville, TN, the average babysitter earns about $19.68 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $787/week or $3,411/month. Most Nashville families pay somewhere in the $7–$30/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$19.68/hr · Nashville average

These numbers come from 2,172 live babysitter listings in Nashville on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$787
$3,411
$40,934

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What drives the price

Most Nashville families pay somewhere in the $7–$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 $18.56/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $22.56/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)$19.68
2 kids~$20.68
3+ kids~$21.68+

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$21/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$19.48/hr
Occasional5–15 hrs/week$19.55/hr
Live-inSet by family$19.90/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.

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

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

Hiring babysitters in Nashville, TN typically costs about 27% more than the Tennessee average of $15/hour and 17% more than the United States average of $17/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Nashville, TN and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Nashville, TN
Nashville, TN$20/hr
Tennessee$15/hr-21%
United States$17/hr-15%

Where Nashville, 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 Nashville, TN average of $19.68/hour — Nashville, TN is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Nashville, TN ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Nashville, TN
1Franklin$20.93+6%
Nashville$19.68
3Murfreesboro$15.79-20%
4Knoxville$15.43-22%
5Chattanooga$15.00-24%
6Memphis$14.81-25%
7Cleveland$14.07-29%
8Clarksville$13.82-30%
9Johnson City$13.45-32%
10Cookeville$12.93-34%
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 Nashville, 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 Nashville, 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 Nashville, TN

2,172 active listings in Nashville

Jessica F. - Seeking Work in Nashville

Nanny Jessica

Nashville, TN
$19 - $22/hr
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Jessica, I work as a surgical technologist Monday-Wednesday. I would be available Thursday-Sunday evening. I am bls certified, and knowledgeable in first aid scenarios. I love working with children and you can rest assure that your child or children will be in good hands. I am a big kid at heart and wouldn’t just sit there, I would interact wholeheartedly.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Elizabeth C. - Seeking Work in Nashville

Nanny Elizabeth

Nashville, TN
$20 - $40/hr
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Elizabeth and I’m currently a student at Ole Miss and a member of Phi Mu. I have 4 years of experience babysitting for families of all ages and truly love spending time with kids! I also work in childcare at my church during special events and whenever needed. I love spending time with kids and love creating a fun and safe environment for children. Whether it’s helping with homework, playing games, or keeping routines on track, I always strive to make families feel comfortable and supported!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Liz H. - Seeking Work in Nashville

Nanny Liz

Nashville, TN
$23 - $28/hr
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I'm Liz, and I've been working with children for over 10 years. I started as a mother's helper at age 10, then spent years babysitting before gaining experience in a daycare setting. I am reliable, outgoing, and passionate about creating a safe, fun, and nurturing environment for children. I love helping kids learn, grow, and have fun, and I enjoy building strong relationships with the families I work with. I look forward to connecting with your family!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
McKenna R. - Seeking Work in Nashville

Nanny McKenna

Nashville, TN
$20 - $25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

I am a 20 year old who loves caring for children and helping with the development of their minds!! I am a Senior at Belmont University and love music, arts and Jesus!!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Tabitha A. - Seeking Work in Nashville

Nanny Tabitha

Nashville, TN
$19/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Tabby, and I'm 20 years old. I'm currently attending Nashville State Community College, where I am studying electrical engineering. In my free time, I enjoy reading books, playing board games, and spending time with my family. I am responsible, patient, and dependable, and I enjoy being creative. I love activities that encourage out of the box thinking and learning, and I'd be excited to help support your family's needs.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Milena A. - Seeking Work in Nashville

Nanny Milena

Nashville, TN
$15 - $20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, my name is Milena. I am an incoming Vanderbilt student studying Medicine, Health, and Society. I enjoy crocheting, drawing, music, and working with children. I have cared for my younger siblings, which has helped me build patience, strong caregiving skills, and a love for helping families however I can.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Mariya H. - Seeking Work in Nashville

Nanny Mariya

Nashville, TN
$20 - $25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi!
My name is Mariya Henderson, I am wanting to create bonds and relationships with families! Having trust with families is very important to me and overall being able to help in any and every way possible! I love all kids any ages and have infant care experience. I started babysitting for just my family friends children and I am now excited to branch out and connect with more families Would love to just be a help in the community!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Daisie D. - Seeking Work in Nashville

Nanny Daisie

Nashville, TN
$18 - $20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Daisie and I’m looking for a nannying job. I love children and want to create a fun nurturing environment for them to grow in. Starting in August I will be attending collage for early childhood education which is a passion of mine! I have experience in baby sitting aged 3mo-10yrs, as well as worked at the little gym Murfreesboro for several months and learned so many new things and it made me so dedicated to supporting early childhood development!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Amelia Z. - Seeking Work in Nashville

Nanny Amelia

Nashville, TN
$15 - $30/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Amelia Ziesmer, and I recently moved to Nashville after graduating from the University of Georgia. I’ll be spending the summer here completing an Audit internship before returning to Georgia to finish my Master’s in Accountancy.
I have previous experience babysitting for local families, and I previously worked as a luxury housekeeper. I genuinely enjoy cleaning, organizing, laundry, and cooking, and I take pride in creating a comfortable, well-kept home environment. I’m dependable, detail-oriented, and happy to help families with whatever makes their day-to-day life run more smoothly.

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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