Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a child care provider cost in Salina, KS in 2026?
In Salina, KS, the average child care provider earns about $12.33 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $493/week or $2,137/month. Most Salina families pay somewhere in the $7–$20/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 64 live child care provider listings in Salina on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $493
- Monthly
- $2,137
- Annual
- $25,646
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What drives the price
Most Salina families pay somewhere in the $7–$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) | $12.33 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$13.33 |
| 3+ kids | ~$14.33+ |
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 | $12.37/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $14.88/hr |
Part-time often runs higher per hour than full-time. Short, fragmented schedules are harder for child care to fill alongside other jobs, so the per-hour rate compensates.
How do Salina child care provider rates compare to state and national averages?
Salina runs below the U.S. average for child care provider rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.
Hiring child care in Salina, KS typically costs about 13% less than the Kansas average of $14/hour and 27% less than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Salina, KS |
|---|---|---|
| Salina, KS | $12/hr | — |
| Kansas | $14/hr | +14% |
| United States | $17/hr | +36% |
Where Salina, KS fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough child care provider data to compare, with rates ranging from $12.58/hour in Junction City to $17.07/hour in Overland Park.
Below: how each compares to the Salina, KS average of $12.33/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by child care provider rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Salina, KS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overland Park | $17.07 | +38% | |
| 2 | Kansas City | $16.21 | +31% | |
| 3 | Lenexa | $16.02 | +30% | |
| 4 | Shawnee | $15.91 | +29% | |
| 5 | Olathe | $15.41 | +25% | |
| 6 | Lawrence | $14.23 | +15% | |
| 7 | Topeka | $13.83 | +12% | |
| 8 | Wichita | $13.41 | +9% | |
| 9 | Manhattan | $12.86 | +4% | |
| 10 | Junction City | $12.58 | +2% |
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 Salina, KS
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 Salina, KS
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 Salina, KS
64 active listings in Salina
Nanny Kalliyah
Nanny Kalliyah
A little bit about me
Para educational substitute
Math
Reading
Language skills
Listening
Caregiving
Behaviorl management
A little bit about me
I enjoy working with kids and being able to help guide and nourish there minds. Im a Para substitute so I mainly fill in where im needed within the salina school district. I have also worked as a house keeper at salina prysbeterian manor. I would be willing to help clean and pick up. Im also willing to help with small loads of laundry. I have a vehicle so transportation isn't and issue. I also have full coverage insurance and im willing to provide proof.
