Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a child care provider cost in Rochester, MN in 2026?
In Rochester, MN, the average child care provider earns about $18.96 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $758/week or $3,286/month. Most Rochester families pay somewhere in the $11–$27/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 79 live child care provider listings in Rochester on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $758
- Monthly
- $3,286
- Annual
- $39,437
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What drives the price
Most Rochester families pay somewhere in the $11–$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) | $18.96 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$19.96 |
| 3+ kids | ~$20.96+ |
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 | $19.79/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $18.95/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 Rochester child care provider rates compare to state and national averages?
Rochester sits close to the national average for child care provider rates.
Hiring child care in Rochester, MN typically costs about 2% more than the Minnesota average of $19/hour and the same as the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Rochester, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN | $19/hr | — |
| Minnesota | $19/hr | -2% |
| United States | $19/hr | +0% |
Where Rochester, MN fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough child care provider data to compare, with rates ranging from $16.77/hour in Mankato to $20.79/hour in Minneapolis.
Below: how each compares to the Rochester, MN average of $18.96/hour — Rochester, MN is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by child care provider rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Rochester, MN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $20.79 | +10% | |
| 2 | Saint Paul | $19.64 | +4% | |
| 3 | Woodbury | $19.51 | +3% | |
| 4 | Lakeville | $19.11 | +1% | |
| 5 | Rochester | $18.96 | — | |
| 6 | St. Cloud | $18.13 | -4% | |
| 7 | Moorhead | $17.54 | -7% | |
| 8 | Blaine | $17.33 | -9% | |
| 9 | Duluth | $17.33 | -9% | |
| 10 | Mankato | $16.77 | -12% |
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 Rochester, MN
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 Rochester, MN
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 Rochester, MN
79 active listings in Rochester
Nanny Delaney
Nanny Delaney
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Nanny Jessica
Nanny Jessica
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Nanny Eva
Nanny Eva
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Nanny Jenesis
Nanny Jenesis
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Nanny Kersten
Nanny Kersten
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Nanny Aliyah
Nanny Aliyah
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Nanny Nour
Nanny Nour
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Have experience working with
Nanny Christina
Nanny Christina
A little bit about me
My name is Christina, and one of my biggest passions is caring for children!
I have been working in childcare since I was a teenager.
I have 5 years of experience as a professional nanny and over 15 years of total experience.
I've found that working with children has helped me find purpose, and I truly feel privileged to be able to do something that I love so much for work.
Watching the kiddos grow up is such an amazing part of my job, and boy, do they grow fast!
Being entrusted with someone's child/children is an incredibly big responsibility, not something I take lightly...
It's also an honor.
Please Inquire if you're interested, or have questions.
Thank you for your time!
