Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a full-time nanny cost in St. Louis, MO in 2026?
In St. Louis, MO, the average full-time nanny earns about $17.21 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $688/week or $2,983/month. Most St. Louis families pay somewhere in the $14–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 374 live full-time nanny listings in St. Louis on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $688
- Monthly
- $2,983
- Annual
- $35,797
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What drives the price
Most St. Louis families pay somewhere in the $14–$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) | $17.21 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$18.21 |
| 3+ kids | ~$19.21+ |
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 | $17.65/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Live-in | Set by family | $17.30/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 St. Louis full-time nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
St. Louis sits close to the national average for full-time nanny rates.
Hiring full-time nannies in St. Louis, MO typically costs about 4% more than the Missouri average of $17/hour and 1% less than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO | $17/hr | — |
| Missouri | $17/hr | -4% |
| United States | $17/hr | +1% |
Where St. Louis, MO fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough full-time nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $15.06/hour in Springfield to $17.94/hour in St. Peters.
Below: how each compares to the St. Louis, MO average of $17.21/hour — St. Louis, MO is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by full-time nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. St. Louis, MO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Peters | $17.94 | +4% | |
| 2 | Florissant | $17.48 | +2% | |
| 3 | Kansas City | $16.51 | -4% | |
| 4 | St. LouisThis city | $16.42 | -5% | |
| 5 | Saint Charles | $15.82 | -8% | |
| 6 | Independence | $15.50 | -10% | |
| 7 | Lee's Summit | $15.44 | -10% | |
| 8 | O'fallon | $15.39 | -11% | |
| 9 | Columbia | $15.23 | -12% | |
| 10 | Springfield | $15.06 | -12% |
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 St. Louis, MO
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 St. Louis, MO
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 St. Louis, MO
374 active listings in St. Louis
Nanny Jessica
Nanny Jessica
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
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Nanny Grace
Nanny Grace
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Nanny Quinn
Nanny Quinn
A little bit about me
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Certification
Nanny Savannah
Nanny Savannah
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
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Nanny Damyanah
Nanny Damyanah
A little bit about me
I absolutely adore kids and just enjoy meeting new people and watching them grow along the journey. I have 2 older sisters on my mom’s side and I am the oldest of 8; 6 girls & 2 boys on my dad side. So it’s definitely nothing I don’t know I’m sure & even if I would love to learn things in new ways.
Have experience working with
Certification
Nanny Tonya
Nanny Tonya
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Nanny Maurlesha
Nanny Maurlesha
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Nanny Lillie
Nanny Lillie
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certification
Nanny Alexandra
Nanny Alexandra
A little bit about me
I enjoy working with children and animals greatly. Some of my hobbies include reading, arts and crafts, volleyball and board/card games.
I can start as soon as 5/26...however I have a week long family vacation for 5/31-6/7 that I am not available for.