Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a child care provider cost in Saint Paul, MN in 2026?
In Saint Paul, MN, the average child care provider earns about $17.36 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $694/week or $3,009/month. Most Saint Paul families pay somewhere in the $11–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 392 live child care provider listings in Saint Paul on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $694
- Monthly
- $3,009
- Annual
- $36,109
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What drives the price
Most Saint Paul families pay somewhere in the $11–$25/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) | $17.36 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$18.36 |
| 3+ kids | ~$19.36+ |
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 | $18.51/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $17.03/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $18.48/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 here run higher than live-out — uncommon, but typically reflects specialty demand for around-the-clock or live-in newborn care. The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the child care provider.
How do Saint Paul child care provider rates compare to state and national averages?
Saint Paul sits close to the national average for child care provider rates.
Hiring child care in Saint Paul, MN typically costs about 3% more than the Minnesota average of $17/hour and 4% more than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Saint Paul, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Paul, MN | $17/hr | — |
| Minnesota | $17/hr | -3% |
| United States | $17/hr | -3% |
Where Saint Paul, MN fits among nearby cities
9 nearby cities have enough child care provider data to compare, with rates ranging from $15.50/hour in Duluth to $17.65/hour in Minneapolis.
Below: how each compares to the Saint Paul, MN average of $17.36/hour — Saint Paul, MN is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by child care provider rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Saint Paul, MN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $17.65 | +2% | |
| 2 | Plymouth | $17.63 | +2% | |
| 3 | Maple Grove | $17.35 | — | |
| 4 | Woodbury | $17.34 | — | |
| 5 | Eden Prairie | $17.01 | -2% | |
| 6 | Rochester | $16.79 | -3% | |
| 7 | Saint PaulThis city | $16.52 | -5% | |
| 8 | Blaine | $15.62 | -10% | |
| 9 | Duluth | $15.50 | -11% |
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?
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How families use Nanny Lane to find a child care provider in Saint Paul, 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 Saint Paul, 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 Saint Paul, MN
392 active listings in Saint Paul
Nanny Charlotte
Nanny Charlotte
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Daylee
Nanny Daylee
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Maren
Nanny Maren
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Ryanne
Nanny Ryanne
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Markita
Nanny Markita
A little bit about me
I been taking care of kids since I was 13 years old
I'm looking to be a live in nanny with my dog. Shes loves kids,she's loves other animals. She's kennel and potty trained, I need to find something by the 1st or I'll be in the streets with my dog.