Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a child care provider cost in Sacramento, CA in 2026?
In Sacramento, CA, the average child care provider earns about $19.15 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $766/week or $3,319/month. Most Sacramento families pay somewhere in the $17–$27/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 1,021 live child care provider listings in Sacramento on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $766
- Monthly
- $3,319
- Annual
- $39,832
Find child care near you
What drives the price
Most Sacramento families pay somewhere in the $17–$27/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) | $19.15 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$20.15 |
| 3+ kids | ~$21.15+ |
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 child care provider rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $20.15/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $19.49/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $19.50/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 child care provider.
How do Sacramento child care provider rates compare to state and national averages?
Sacramento runs above the U.S. average for child care provider rates, in line with most major metros.
Hiring child care in Sacramento, CA typically costs about 6% less than the California average of $20/hour and 14% more than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Sacramento, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento, CA | $19/hr | — |
| California | $20/hr | +6% |
| United States | $17/hr | -12% |
Where Sacramento, CA fits among nearby cities
The most expensive city for child care near Sacramento, CA is Beverly Hills at $26.76/hour; the least expensive is San Bernardino at $17.11/hour.
Below are the 10 most and 10 least expensive cities near Sacramento, CA and how each compares to Sacramento, CA's average of $19.15/hour.
Most expensive cities near Sacramento, CA
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Sacramento, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beverly Hills | $26.76 | +40% | |
| 2 | Mill Valley | $26.45 | +38% | |
| 3 | Palo Alto | $24.10 | +26% | |
| 4 | San Mateo | $24.09 | +26% | |
| 5 | West Menlo Park | $24.05 | +26% | |
| 6 | Mountain View | $23.76 | +24% | |
| 7 | San Francisco | $23.58 | +23% | |
| 8 | Redwood City | $23.55 | +23% | |
| 9 | Piedmont | $23.47 | +23% | |
| 10 | Sunnyvale | $23.31 | +22% |
Least expensive cities near Sacramento, CA
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Sacramento, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Bernardino | $17.11 | -11% | |
| 2 | Visalia | $17.59 | -8% | |
| 3 | Modesto | $17.68 | -8% | |
| 4 | Fontana | $17.71 | -8% | |
| 5 | Redding | $17.85 | -7% | |
| 6 | Lancaster | $18.03 | -6% | |
| 7 | Chico | $18.03 | -6% | |
| 8 | Bakersfield | $18.10 | -5% | |
| 9 | Corona | $18.12 | -5% | |
| 10 | Moreno Valley | $18.19 | -5% |
Tips to find a great child care provider without overpaying
- Be flexible on experience. Some of the best child care on the platform have 3–5 years on the job and charge meaningfully less than experienced child care 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 child care 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 child care provider in Sacramento, CA
Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with child care — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:
- 01
Browse child care provider profiles in Sacramento, CA
Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.
- 02
Message the ones who look like a fit
Reach out to the child care 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 child care provider fits with your family in real time.
- 04
Hire your child care provider
If you'd rather not handle taxes and payroll yourself, our payroll team can take care of it.
Available child care in Sacramento, CA
1,021 active listings in Sacramento
Nanny Isabella
Nanny Isabella
A little bit about me
Nanny DeJanae
Nanny DeJanae
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Natalie
Nanny Natalie
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certification
Nanny Lucie
Nanny Lucie
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Rebeca
Nanny Rebeca
A little bit about me
My name is [Rebeca], and I am a dedicated and compassionate childcare provider with over 10 years of experience working with children from infant age to elementary school age. All with different abilities. I am currently seeking opportunities as a special needs nanny, where I can provide attentive, nurturing, and individualized care for your child.
Families often describe me as reliable, warm, and attentive. I take pride in creating a safe, engaging, and supportive space where children can thrive at their own pace.