Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a full-time nanny cost in Ankeny, IA in 2026?

In Ankeny, IA, the average full-time nanny earns about $15.83 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $633/week or $2,744/month. Most Ankeny families pay somewhere in the $10–$22/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$15.83/hr · Ankeny average

These numbers come from 91 live full-time nanny listings in Ankeny on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$633
$2,744
$32,926

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What drives the price

Most Ankeny families pay somewhere in the $10–$22/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.


01

Experience

Experience is one of the biggest levers on a full-time nanny's rate.
Nannies with 10+ years, or specialty skills like newborn care or multiple languages, typically command the highest hourly rates.

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
Hourly rate by number of kids
1 kid (baseline)$15.83
2 kids~$16.83
3+ kids~$17.83+

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
Hourly rate adjustment by 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.

How do Ankeny full-time nanny rates compare to state and national averages?

Ankeny runs below the U.S. average for full-time nanny rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.

Hiring full-time nannies in Ankeny, IA typically costs about 9% more than the Iowa average of $15/hour and 9% less than the United States average of $17/hour.

Average hourly full-time nannies rates compared across Ankeny, IA and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Ankeny, IA
Ankeny, IA$16/hr
Iowa$15/hr-8%
United States$17/hr+9%

Where Ankeny, IA fits among nearby cities

5 nearby cities have enough full-time nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $13.22/hour in Davenport to $15.07/hour in Ankeny.

Below: how each compares to the Ankeny, IA average of $15.83/hour — Ankeny, IA is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by full-time nanny rate

5 cities near Ankeny, IA ranked by average hourly full-time nanny rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Ankeny, IA
AnkenyThis city$15.07-5%
2Des Moines$14.90-6%
3Iowa City$14.44-9%
4Cedar Rapids$14.23-10%
5Davenport$13.22-16%
Most expensive nearby: Ankeny ($15.07) Least expensive nearby: Davenport ($13.22)

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.
Learn more about nanny sharing

How families use Nanny Lane to find a full-time nanny in Ankeny, IA

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:

  1. 01

    Browse full-time nanny profiles in Ankeny, IA

    Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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 Ankeny, IA

91 active listings in Ankeny

Mackenzie H. - Seeking Work in Ankeny

Nanny Mackenzie

Ankeny, IA
$15/hr
Full-time
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I am great with kids of all ages and am looking for work!! I plan on starting dmacc in the fall to study elementary education and would like to save money to do so. I have worked at a couple daycares and am CPR and First Aid Certified.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Georgia G. - Seeking Work in Ankeny

Nanny Georgia

Ankeny, IA
$10 - $16/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

I am 16 years old I have 2 siblings (7 year old girl and 11 year old boy) I have been babysitting since I was old enough to be home alone, I have experience in cleaning, I graduate in January of 2027, I do band and I have been working since I was 14 year old :)

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Sandra H. - Seeking Work in Ankeny

Nanny Sandra

Ankeny, IA
$16/hr
Full-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I am a 56 year old mother of three. My youngest is 17. I have raised my own and missing the younger years. Working in corporate America has not been fulfilling and looking for an exciting change.

I have an education degree with a focus on special education. While I never taught in the classroom because I was able to stay at home with my children after I graduated, I know I used much of what I learned to be a better parent to my young ones.

I have been CPR certified but it was years ago. I would be happy to get certified again if necessary.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

CPR
Debbie F. - Seeking Work in Ankeny

Nanny Debbie

Ankeny, IA
$15/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I love families and supporting kids. I am very dedicated and will work hard everyday to care for your family as if they were my own. As a mother myself that has raised 2 grown girls, I am an experienced caregiver. I speak fluent Spanish and I am an excellent cook. Trust, love and respect are important to me - if also for you, we could be an amazing match.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Gracey N. - Seeking Work in Ankeny

Nanny Gracey

Ankeny, IA
$15/hr
Full-time
6 years experience

A little bit about me

I have 3 years of experience with being a nanny and I also worked at a daycare for 2 years. I enjoy spending time with littles and always having a fun time. It’s always awesome to hear positive feedback from the kids how they enjoyed their time!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Pevika D. - Seeking Work in Ankeny

Nanny Pevika

Ankeny, IA
$15/hr
Full-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

I’m a 17 year old high school student who currently takes online classes and will be graduating soon & I’ll be turning 18 on October. I’ve always been interested in being a nanny since I first started watching my niece at 4 months old - 2 years old. I absolutely adore children and I look forward to helping any family that welcomes me.

Have experience working with

Infants
Lyla R. - Seeking Work in Ankeny

Nanny Lyla

Ankeny, IA
$16/hr
Full-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi I am looking for a well paying, full time job to help pay rent until I start beauty school in October!!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Allison B. - Seeking Work in Ankeny

Nanny Allison

Ankeny, IA
$16/hr
Full-time
8 years experience

A little bit about me

I enjoy taking care of children and finding fun ways to spend our time together! I also love animals and making food that others enjoy. I wouldn’t mind doing some extra cleaning or errands if needed!

Have experience working with

Infants
Jillian S. - Seeking Work in Ankeny

Nanny Jillian

Ankeny, IA
$15/hr
Full-time
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I’m Jillian Scroggs! I’m currently a senior at Ankeny Centennial and I’m planning on attending Iowa State in the fall. I have experience babysitting kids ages 2-12, and I am really flexible and open to do anything (drive kids to activities, play outside, clean the house, etc!).

Certification

First Aid
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