Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a full-time nanny cost in Seattle, WA in 2026?
In Seattle, WA, the average full-time nanny earns about $26.81 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $1,072/week or $4,647/month. Most Seattle families pay somewhere in the $17–$36/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 319 live full-time nanny listings in Seattle on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $1,072
- Monthly
- $4,647
- Annual
- $55,765
Find full-time nannies near you
What drives the price
Most Seattle families pay somewhere in the $17–$36/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) | $26.81 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$27.81 |
| 3+ kids | ~$28.81+ |
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 | $27.45/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Live-in | Set by family | $25.86/hr | See live-in rates → |
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 Seattle full-time nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
Seattle is one of the more expensive full-time nanny markets in the country.
Hiring full-time nannies in Seattle, WA typically costs about 19% more than the Washington average of $22/hour and 34% more than the United States average of $20/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $27/hr | — |
| Washington | $22/hr | -16% |
| United States | $20/hr | -26% |
Where Seattle, WA fits among nearby cities
9 nearby cities have enough full-time nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $19.30/hour in Kennewick to $26.81/hour in Seattle.
Below: how each compares to the Seattle, WA average of $26.81/hour — Seattle, WA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by full-time nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Seattle, WA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | $26.81 | — | |
| 2 | Everett | $25.35 | -5% | |
| 3 | Bellingham | $22.29 | -17% | |
| 4 | Puyallup | $22.23 | -17% | |
| 5 | Tacoma | $22.14 | -17% | |
| 6 | Vancouver | $21.92 | -18% | |
| 7 | Olympia | $21.67 | -19% | |
| 8 | Spokane | $19.97 | -26% | |
| 9 | Kennewick | $19.30 | -28% |
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 Seattle, WA
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 Seattle, WA
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 Seattle, WA
319 active listings in Seattle
Nanny Annika
Nanny Annika
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Molly
Nanny Molly
A little bit about me
I have a Master of Education and spent 3 years as a classroom teacher. I am a strong believer in letting curiosity guide children's learning, especially through exploring the natural world. I'm an amateur naturalist, who loves tide-pooling, birding, and crouching to look for bugs. I think kids have the coolest way of seeing the world and love getting to experience the world through their wonder.
I think most children should have limited screen-time, so if you share that belief I could be a great fit for you. I'm an avid reader and crafter, who loves to share these hobbies.