Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Olympia, WA in 2026?
In Olympia, WA, the average babysitter earns about $19.12 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $765/week or $3,314/month. Most Olympia families pay somewhere in the $17–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$19.12/hr · Olympia average
These numbers come from 494 live babysitter listings in Olympia on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $765
- Monthly
- $3,314
- Annual
- $39,770
Find babysitters near you
What drives the price
Most Olympia families pay somewhere in the $17–$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 $18.58/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $21.09/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
| 1 kid (baseline) | $19.12 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$20.12 |
| 3+ kids | ~$21.12+ |
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
| 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 | $20.02/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $19.35/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $19.59/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $19.48/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.
How do Olympia babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Olympia runs above the U.S. average for babysitter rates, in line with most major metros.
Hiring babysitters in Olympia, WA typically costs about 4% less than the Washington average of $20/hour and 14% more than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Olympia, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Olympia, WA | $19/hr | — |
| Washington | $20/hr | +4% |
| United States | $17/hr | -12% |
Where Olympia, WA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $17.61/hour in Yakima to $23.46/hour in Seattle.
Below: how each compares to the Olympia, WA average of $19.12/hour — Olympia, WA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Olympia, WA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | $23.46 | +23% | |
| 2 | Everett | $21.23 | +11% | |
| 3 | Puyallup | $19.54 | +2% | |
| 4 | Tacoma | $19.31 | +1% | |
| 5 | Bellingham | $19.26 | +1% | |
| 6 | Vancouver | $19.18 | — | |
| 7 | Olympia | $19.12 | — | |
| 8 | Spokane | $18.45 | -4% | |
| 9 | Kennewick | $17.89 | -6% | |
| 10 | Yakima | $17.61 | -8% |
● Most expensive nearby: Seattle ($23.46)● Least expensive nearby: Yakima ($17.61)
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.
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a babysitter in Olympia, WA
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 Olympia, WA
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 Olympia, WA
494 active listings in Olympia
Nanny Anne
Nanny Anne
Olympia, WA
$22 - $30/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello! My name is Anne Murphy, and I have been babysitting and nannying for many years, I am 23 and have worked with children ages 0-11, in both home and church camp settings. I worked as a nanny for a child from ages 0 to 4, who I still visit and have a good relationship with. I have also worked as the assistant director for a church camp for several summers which helped me to develop my child care skills and strengthened my ability to create fun and nurturing experiences for kids of all ages. I have also been trained in baby and infant CPR.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Linus Laura
Nanny Linus Laura
Olympia, WA
$20 - $25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience
A little bit about me
I have a Bachelor's in Fine Arts, and a Master's in Teaching. I work as a substitute for North Thurston Public Schools during the school year, and have worked in childcare for 4+ years. I love leading art activities, and going out and learning about plants and animals!
Nanny Jasmine
Nanny Jasmine
Olympia, WA
$20 - $40/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience
A little bit about me
I’m looking for nanny positions to help families in my community who need a little relief and/or support for their work life balance. I’m 27 years old with a passion and extensive experience working with children. I love the conversations and joy kids bring to life. I was born and raised in Washington state so naturally I am fond of the outdoors! I love all form of art and believe it’s important to keep creativity alive.
My experience working with kids ranges from being a gymnastics instructor, nanny, to para educator! Ive taken early childhood education courses in college expanding my knowledge on children of all ages.
My experience working with kids ranges from being a gymnastics instructor, nanny, to para educator! Ive taken early childhood education courses in college expanding my knowledge on children of all ages.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Becca
Nanny Becca
Olympia, WA
$22 - $23/hr
Occasional
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Becca, and I’m working toward my degree in Early Childhood Education. I have experience working with both verbal and nonverbal children, including those with special needs. I’m patient, attentive, and focus on understanding each child’s unique way of communicating so they feel safe and supported. I really enjoy building strong, positive connections with kids and helping them learn and grow!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Phoebe
Nanny Phoebe
Olympia, WA
$20/hr
Full-time
Occasional
3 years experience
A little bit about me
I am graduating from western washington university in june. I am moving home and hoping to find a family to nanny for full time. I will have a degree in psychology and my focus will be on working with kids. I have worked at preschools, the YMCA summer camp and after school programs and am looking for something that is more focused on watching fewer kiddos so I can focus on them.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Samantha
Nanny Samantha
Olympia, WA
$20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Sammy Sacks. I am a responsible, energetic, and caring college student studying Kinesiology with a minor in Child Development. I’ve been working with kids for over 7 years and truly love helping them learn, grow, and have fun in a safe environment. I’m known for being patient, positive, and dependable, and I enjoy building strong connections with both children and families.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Mariana
Nanny Mariana
Olympia, WA
$20/hr
Occasional
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I’m Mariana, I’m 16 years old, almost 17. I’m a cheerleader, gymnastics captain, and a gymnastics coach, so I have a lot of experience working with kids and keeping them active and engaged. I’m responsible, patient, and love creating a fun and safe environment! I’m not first aid certified yet, but I’ve taken classes at school and know what to do in emergency situations.
Nanny Rowan
Nanny Rowan
Olympia, WA
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
18 nonbinary. Good with kids and pets. Love to bake, clean, and draw. Love cartoons and can easily entertain and keep children reasonably behaved. Good at listening and following clear instructions. Flexible hours, available 24/7, can do overnights and holidays as needed.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Zoey
Nanny Zoey
Olympia, WA
$18 - $20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello! My name is Zoey and I am a junior in high school! I am part of the running start program and I am taking college classes with the goal of becoming a deaf education teacher! Since I am dually enrolled, I have 2 high school classes I'm not available until after 9:30 A.M. on weekdays! I am a licensed driver, and certified in Food handlers, CPR and First Aid, and have taken classes on childcare. I also have a passed DCYF background check. I love animals and have had pets my whole life, so pets are no problem to me! My goal is to give your family peace of mind while you are away, while also creating a fun and loving environment for your children! I’m looking for a family to help out occasionally such as for date nights and some weekends, or over the summer! I’d like to remain part time, around 25 hours/week.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid