Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a full-time nanny cost in San Francisco, CA in 2026?
In San Francisco, CA, the average full-time nanny earns about $29.16 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $1,166/week or $5,054/month. Most San Francisco families pay somewhere in the $17–$45/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$29.16/hr · San Francisco average
These numbers come from 406 live full-time nanny listings in San Francisco on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $1,166
- Monthly
- $5,054
- Annual
- $60,653
Find full-time nannies near you
What drives the price
Most San Francisco families pay somewhere in the $17–$45/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.
01
Experience
More experienced full-time nannys command higher rates. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $27.88/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $32.02/hour.
Avg hourly rate by years of experience
02
Number of kids
One child is the baseline. Each additional child usually adds $1–$2/hour. Twins and infants tend toward the high end.
+$1 to $2/hour per additional child
| 1 kid (baseline) | $29.16 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$30.16 |
| 3+ kids | ~$31.16+ |
03
Hours & schedule
Standard weekday daytime hours are easiest to staff. Early mornings, evenings, weekends, and last-minute coverage all push rates up.
10–20%premium for off-hours coverage
| 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 | $30.02/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Live-in | Set by family | $29.29/hr | See live-in rates → |
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 full-time nanny.
How do San Francisco full-time nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
San Francisco is one of the more expensive full-time nanny markets in the country.
Hiring full-time nannies in San Francisco, CA typically costs about 23% more than the California average of $24/hour and 46% more than the United States average of $20/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $29/hr | — |
| California | $24/hr | -19% |
| United States | $20/hr | -32% |
Where San Francisco, CA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough full-time nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $19.31/hour in Bakersfield to $29.16/hour in San Francisco.
Below: how each compares to the San Francisco, CA average of $29.16/hour — San Francisco, CA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by full-time nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $29.16 | — | |
| 2 | San Jose | $26.82 | -8% | |
| 3 | Oakland | $26.00 | -11% | |
| 4 | Los Angeles | $25.66 | -12% | |
| 5 | San Diego | $24.48 | -16% | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $21.82 | -25% | |
| 7 | Riverside | $20.67 | -29% | |
| 8 | Stockton | $20.08 | -31% | |
| 9 | Fresno | $19.50 | -33% | |
| 10 | Bakersfield | $19.31 | -34% |
● Most expensive nearby: San Francisco ($29.16)● Least expensive nearby: Bakersfield ($19.31)
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?
Split the cost of a nanny with another family
and enjoy flexible child care.
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a full-time nanny in San Francisco, CA
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 San Francisco, CA
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.
Available full-time nannies in San Francisco, CA
406 active listings in San Francisco
Nanny Sierra
Nanny Sierra
San Francisco, CA
$40 - $60/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
I'm a warm, calm and dependable professional nanny with more than 10 years of experience caring for children from newborns through teens in high-expectation families who value privacy. I'm especially experienced with babies, toddlers and preschoolers, and I've taken sole charge of children and a large household for 7 to 14 days at a time while parents traveled. I rely on consistent routines, positive reinforcement and screen-free play, with lots of art, painting, beading and active play. Parents often tell me what I bring is "peace." I'm Trustline Registered and CPR/First Aid certified, with experience caring for children on the autism spectrum. I'm looking for a long-term role where I can be a trusted partner to the parents, and I'm open to rotational schedules and travel.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Nina
Nanny Nina
San Francisco, CA
$35 - $45/hr
Full-time
5 years experience
A little bit about me
I am 24 years old looking for a full time nanny job! I am originally from Oregon, and a recent grad in Psychology from the University of Oregon. I love spending time with kids, and some of my past experience working with children includes babysitting, working as a camp counselor, and interning on the pediatric ward of a hospital. I also previously worked as an intake coordinator at an ADHD clinic, where I would spend tons of time interacting with children and families. My friends would describe me as responsible, friendly, and calm.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Sydney
Nanny Sydney
San Francisco, CA
$30/hr
Full-time
Part-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi there I'm Sydney, I'm currently a student at San Francisco State University, and have a background working as a Paraeducator with SFUSD . I've worked with toddlers and elementary age children through my work at Cobb Elementary and South of Market Childcare. And I'm hoping to obtain my teaching credential after I gradate this fall! I love helping students with reading, writing and making art.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you and I wish you the best of luck with your search!
I'm looking forward to hearing from you and I wish you the best of luck with your search!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Alliy
Nanny Alliy
San Francisco, CA
$18 - $25/hr
Full-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I’m Allison (or Alliy). I’m a college student looking for childcare work. I hope to find a great family I can help out while i get my degree. I love working with kids and have been doing so since I was 16! I have experience with tutoring, coaching, babysitting, etc. I am both first aid and CPR certified. Please feel free to message me!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Lea
Nanny Lea
San Francisco, CA
$25 - $30/hr
Full-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Lea, and I have been doing seasonal work and traveling for the past few years, but I am settling down in San Francisco this fall. I am currently working as an assistant musher on a remote camp outside of Juneau, Alaska and caring for 38 dogs daily. My two great passions are working with animals and working with kids. I have over 4 years of working experience with children. I love working with kids and animals because they are so open to connect with others and the world around them. I want to give children a caretaker who is patient, kind, and firm. I love to mold curious and confident kids. I have been extensively trained on behavior management, and modeling healthy emotional regulation for children is something I am passionate about. I hope to find a family who is a good match!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Marykate
Nanny Marykate
San Francisco, CA
$30 - $40/hr
Full-time
Part-time
6 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi there! I'm a warm and dependable nanny excited to support a family in the San Francisco area. I currently work as an infant teacher, but I miss the more personalized care I can give as a nanny.
I have 8 years of childcare experience, and I'm currently majoring in Early Childhood Education.
My approach is centered around providing a safe, loving environment where children are able to grow into their happiest selves.
In addition to childcare, I can help out with housekeeping, grocery shopping, cooking, and planning weekly activities. I'm also available for hours for parents' weekend date nights!
I pride myself on being reliable, communicative, and adaptable to families' ever-changing needs. I look forward to partnering with you to support your child's development and well-being!
I have 8 years of childcare experience, and I'm currently majoring in Early Childhood Education.
My approach is centered around providing a safe, loving environment where children are able to grow into their happiest selves.
In addition to childcare, I can help out with housekeeping, grocery shopping, cooking, and planning weekly activities. I'm also available for hours for parents' weekend date nights!
I pride myself on being reliable, communicative, and adaptable to families' ever-changing needs. I look forward to partnering with you to support your child's development and well-being!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Gabby
Nanny Gabby
San Francisco, CA
$30/hr
Full-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
I’m 19 years old and currently attend the University of Arizona online, so my schedule is pretty flexible. I’ve always loved being around kids and really enjoy taking care of them and making sure they’re safe, happy, and having fun. I have experience working with kids ages 5–10 through San Francisco Recreation and Parks summer camps, where I spent my days supervising campers, playing games, doing activities, and helping out with field trips. I’m a very caring, patient, responsible, and outgoing person. I love getting to know kids and their different personalities, and I’m always happy to play, help with activities, or just be someone they feel comfortable around. I’m really interested in nannying because I genuinely enjoy working with kids and would love to help out a family while doing something I enjoy.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Alejandra
Nanny Alejandra
San Francisco, CA
$30 - $35/hr
Full-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Daniela. I am a bilingual caregiver with a background in Early Childhood Education. I am CPR certified and passionate about creating a safe, caring, and fun environment where children can learn and grow. I am responsible, patient, and dependable, and I truly enjoy working with children.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Maria Elsa
Nanny Maria Elsa
San Francisco, CA
$30 - $35/hr
Full-time
6 years experience
A little bit about me
Gracias por venir a mi perfil!
Mi nombre es Elsa. Soy maestra de preescolar y cuento con 6 años de experiencia trabajando con niños de 3 a 6 años. Durante 6 años, me he dedicado a la educación infantil con enfoque en español.
Mi nombre es Elsa. Soy maestra de preescolar y cuento con 6 años de experiencia trabajando con niños de 3 a 6 años. Durante 6 años, me he dedicado a la educación infantil con enfoque en español.
Certifications
CPR
First Aid