Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a child care provider cost in Minnesota in 2026?
In Minnesota, the average child care provider earns about $16.84 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $674/week or $2,919/month. Rates across Minnesota fall in the $11–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 6,948 live child care provider listings in Minnesota on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $674
- Monthly
- $2,919
- Annual
- $35,027
Find child care near you
What drives the price
Across Minnesota, child care rates fall in the $11–$25/hour range. Where a family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.
Experience
Number of kids
| 1 kid (baseline) | $16.84 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$17.84 |
| 3+ kids | ~$18.84+ |
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 | $17.91/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $16.68/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $17.72/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 Minnesota child care provider rates compare to the national average?
Minnesota sits close to the national average for child care provider rates. Specific cities can run higher or lower — major metros typically command a premium, while smaller towns tend to be more affordable.
Hiring child care in Minnesota typically costs about the same as the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $17/hr | — |
| United States | $17/hr | 0% |
Where child care cost most and least in Minnesota
10 cities have enough child care provider data to compare, with rates ranging from $14.72/hour in Mankato to $18.28/hour in Minneapolis.
Below: how each compares to the Minnesota state average of $16.84/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by child care provider rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Minnesota | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $18.28 | +9% | |
| 2 | Rochester | $17.57 | +4% | |
| 3 | Woodbury | $17.37 | +3% | |
| 4 | Saint Paul | $17.35 | +3% | |
| 5 | Shakopee | $16.68 | -1% | |
| 6 | Blaine | $16.65 | -1% | |
| 7 | Moorhead | $16.53 | -2% | |
| 8 | St. Cloud | $16.00 | -5% | |
| 9 | Duluth | $15.58 | -7% | |
| 10 | Mankato | $14.72 | -13% |
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 Minnesota
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 Minnesota
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.