Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a full-time nanny cost in California in 2026?
In California, the average full-time nanny earns about $20.86 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $834/week or $3,616/month. Rates across California fall in the $17–$30/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 21,822 live full-time nanny listings in California on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $834
- Monthly
- $3,616
- Annual
- $43,389
Find full-time nannies near you
What drives the price
Across California, full-time nannies rates fall in the $17–$30/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) | $20.86 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$21.86 |
| 3+ kids | ~$22.86+ |
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 full-time nanny rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $21.75/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $23.64/hr | See part-time rates → |
| Live-in | Set by family | $21.28/hr | See live-in rates → |
Part-time often runs higher per hour than full-time. Short, fragmented schedules are harder for full-time nannies to fill alongside other jobs, so the per-hour rate compensates.
Live-in arrangements look cheaper per hour because room and board are part of the package. The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the full-time nanny.
How do California full-time nanny rates compare to the national average?
California is one of the most expensive places in the U.S. to hire a full-time nanny, with rates well above the national average. Major metros and coastal areas typically run on the higher end, while inland and rural parts of the state are more affordable.
Hiring full-time nannies in California typically costs about 21% more than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California | $21/hr | — |
| United States | $17/hr | -17% |
Where full-time nannies cost most and least in California
10 cities have enough full-time nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $17.72/hour in Fresno to $25.87/hour in San Francisco.
Below: how each compares to the California state average of $20.86/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by full-time nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. California | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $25.87 | +24% | |
| 2 | San Jose | $23.67 | +13% | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $22.76 | +9% | |
| 4 | San Diego | $21.54 | +3% | |
| 5 | Long Beach | $21.23 | +2% | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $19.62 | -6% | |
| 7 | Stockton | $18.65 | -11% | |
| 8 | Riverside | $18.51 | -11% | |
| 9 | Bakersfield | $18.14 | -13% | |
| 10 | Fresno | $17.72 | -15% |
Tips to find a great full-time nanny without overpaying
- Be flexible on experience. Some of the best full-time nannies on the platform have 3–5 years on the job and charge meaningfully less than experienced full-time nannies 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 full-time nannies 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 full-time nanny in California
Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with full-time nannies — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:
- 01
Browse full-time nanny profiles in California
Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.
- 02
Message the ones who look like a fit
Reach out to the full-time nannies 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 full-time nanny fits with your family in real time.
- 04
Hire your full-time nanny
If you'd rather not handle taxes and payroll yourself, our payroll team can take care of it.