Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Smithfield, VA in 2026?
In Smithfield, VA, the average babysitter earns about $15.81 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $632/week or $2,740/month. Most Smithfield families pay somewhere in the $12–$20/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 52 live babysitter listings in Smithfield on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $632
- Monthly
- $2,740
- Annual
- $32,885
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What drives the price
Most Smithfield families pay somewhere in the $12–$20/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) | $15.81 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$16.81 |
| 3+ kids | ~$17.81+ |
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 | $16.77/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $15.92/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.
How do Smithfield babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Smithfield runs below the U.S. average for babysitter rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.
Hiring babysitters in Smithfield, VA typically costs about 7% less than the Virginia average of $17/hour and 6% less than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Smithfield, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Smithfield, VA | $16/hr | — |
| Virginia | $17/hr | +7% |
| United States | $17/hr | +6% |
Where Smithfield, 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 Smithfield, VA average of $15.81/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Smithfield, VA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arlington | $21.22 | +34% | |
| 2 | Alexandria | $19.43 | +23% | |
| 3 | Richmond | $17.62 | +11% | |
| 4 | Woodbridge | $16.99 | +7% | |
| 5 | Fredericksburg | $16.55 | +5% | |
| 6 | Virginia Beach | $16.46 | +4% | |
| 7 | Norfolk | $15.85 | — | |
| 8 | Chesapeake | $15.53 | -2% | |
| 9 | Newport News | $15.41 | -3% | |
| 10 | Lynchburg | $14.78 | -7% |
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 Smithfield, 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 Smithfield, 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 Smithfield, VA
52 active listings in Smithfield
Nanny Arielle
Nanny Arielle
A little bit about me
Certifications
Nanny Emily
Nanny Emily
A little bit about me
Nanny Jeanette
Nanny Jeanette
A little bit about me
I am responsible, nurturing, and attentive, with a natural ability to connect with children and create a safe, supportive environment for them to grow and thrive. Just looking for something to occupy my time.
Certifications
Nanny Katherine
Nanny Katherine
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Monica
Nanny Monica
Certification
Nanny Brianna
Nanny Brianna
A little bit about me
Certification
Nanny Charity
Nanny Charity
A little bit about me
I enjoy being a babysitter and have been watching newborns, infants, toddlers, and kids since I was 10 years old. My responsibilities include ensuring children's safety and supervision, engaging them in activities, managing routines, providing basic care, performing light housekeeping related to the children, communicating with parents, assisting with homework if needed, and being prepared for emergencies.
I also have 5 nieces that I’m used to babysitting as well 2 of them are twins!
I’ve also worked with kids at Chestnut Lake Camp as a Camp Counselor.
