Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Arlington, VA in 2026?
In Arlington, VA, the average babysitter earns about $21.22 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $849/week or $3,678/month. Most Arlington families pay somewhere in the $12–$30/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 680 live babysitter listings in Arlington on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $849
- Monthly
- $3,678
- Annual
- $44,138
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What drives the price
Most Arlington families pay somewhere in the $12–$30/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) | $21.22 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$22.22 |
| 3+ kids | ~$23.22+ |
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 | $22.18/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $21.66/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $22.48/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $20.96/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 arrangements look cheaper per hour because room and board are part of the package. The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the babysitter.
How do Arlington babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Arlington is one of the more expensive babysitter markets in the country.
Hiring babysitters in Arlington, VA typically costs about 25% more than the Virginia average of $17/hour and 26% more than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Arlington, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington, VA | $21/hr | — |
| Virginia | $17/hr | -20% |
| United States | $17/hr | -21% |
Where Arlington, VA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $14.78/hour in Lynchburg to $21.22/hour in Arlington.
Below: how each compares to the Arlington, VA average of $21.22/hour — Arlington, VA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Arlington, VA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arlington | $21.22 | — | |
| 2 | Alexandria | $19.43 | -8% | |
| 3 | Richmond | $17.62 | -17% | |
| 4 | Woodbridge | $16.99 | -20% | |
| 5 | Fredericksburg | $16.55 | -22% | |
| 6 | Virginia Beach | $16.46 | -22% | |
| 7 | Norfolk | $15.85 | -25% | |
| 8 | Chesapeake | $15.53 | -27% | |
| 9 | Newport News | $15.41 | -27% | |
| 10 | Lynchburg | $14.78 | -30% |
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 Arlington, VA
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 Arlington, VA
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 Arlington, VA
680 active listings in Arlington
Nanny Suhyeon
Nanny Suhyeon
A little bit about me
Nanny Sergio
Nanny Sergio
A little bit about me
I am Sergio; I am a 31 Year-old student and childcare giver. I am currently studying to become an elementary teacher.
I am currently heading to my student teaching for my final semester at university.
I just completed working for a family, looking after 2 girls aged 6 and 10. They are like family to me.
I have over 14 yrs of experience with children, from babysitting to working at my local church's children's ministry and daycare.
I do homework, school projects, and cook meals, as some of my duties. I don't mind pets.
I like working with kids because l've always thought working with children is essential; you are formulating minds, that will go on to do great things.
In my spare time, I like to read, go to coffee shops and do some college work.
I love going to museums, whether history or art. I love being in the kitchen; I like cooking and trying new recipes but prefer baking more.
My skills include good with homework, excellent driving record, and caring.
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Audrey
Nanny Audrey
A little bit about me
Nanny Celestina
Nanny Celestina
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Avery
Nanny Avery
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Rechel
Nanny Rechel
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Lori
Nanny Lori
A little bit about me
3 - 10 years old. In addition to the normal childcare responsible, I have also helped with light housekeeping, homework, family meal preps when time permits. I love helping kids build their literacy through reading books, imagination play and creative art and writing. I am infant and child CPR certified.
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Camila
Nanny Camila
A little bit about me
parents with college. I have lots of babysitter experience and I have a little brother. I can work any time and any hours. Please lmk and if u need the price lowered I can definitely do that!!
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Rihame
Nanny Rihame
A little bit about me
I’m flexible, reliable, and happy to adapt to each family’s unique routines and needs. Looking forward to getting to know you and your little ones!