Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a live-in nanny cost in San Diego, CA in 2026?

In San Diego, CA, the average live-in nanny earns about $23.02 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $921/week or $3,990/month. Most San Diego families pay somewhere in the $17–$35/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$23.02/hr · San Diego average

These numbers come from 133 live live-in nanny listings in San Diego on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$921
$3,990
$47,882

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What drives the price

Most San Diego families pay somewhere in the $17–$35/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 live-in 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)$23.02
2 kids~$24.02
3+ kids~$25.02+

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.

Full-time, part-time, and live-in live-in nanny rates

ArrangementTypical hoursAverage rate
Full-time35–50 hrs/week$24.38/hr
Live-inSet by family$23.91/hr

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 live-in nanny.

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How do San Diego live-in nanny rates compare to state and national averages?

San Diego is one of the more expensive live-in nanny markets in the country.

Hiring live-in nannies in San Diego, CA typically costs about 6% more than the California average of $22/hour and 23% more than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly live-in nannies rates compared across San Diego, CA and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. San Diego, CA
San Diego, CA$23/hr
California$22/hr-5%
United States$19/hr-18%

Tips to find a great live-in nanny without overpaying

  • Be flexible on experience. Some of the best live-in nannies on the platform have 3–5 years on the job and charge meaningfully less than experienced live-in 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 live-in 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 live-in nanny in San Diego, CA

Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with live-in nannies — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:

  1. 01

    Browse live-in nanny profiles in San Diego, CA

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

  2. 02

    Message the ones who look like a fit

    Reach out to the live-in 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 live-in nanny fits with your family in real time.

  4. 04

    Hire your live-in nanny

    If you'd rather not handle taxes and payroll yourself, our payroll team can take care of it.

Available live-in nannies in San Diego, CA

133 active listings in San Diego

Tiana B. - Seeking Work in San Diego

Nanny Tiana

San Diego, CA
$25 - $35/hr
Full-time
9 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi families! I’m excited to introduce myself and share a bit about who I am and my experience with childcare.
My hobbies include painting, working out outdoors, spending time with friends, decorating, and cooking and baking.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and have over 9 years of experience working with infants and elementary-aged children. Throughout my career, I’ve supported students in developing social-emotional learning skills as well as academic skills in math, reading, and science. I’ve also had the opportunity to teach outdoor education, which I absolutely love.
My teaching approach is very hands-on, as I’ve found that children learn best when they are actively engaged—especially since it’s easy for them to get distracted. I’m comfortable managing classrooms of up to 20 children, but nannying has always felt like a true calling to me because it allows for a more intentional, and personalized approach to caregiving.

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Mustafa S. - Seeking Work in San Diego

Nanny Mustafa

San Diego, CA
$17 - $18/hr
Full-time
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

My name is Mustafa. I am 16 years old. I am from Afghanistan. I am in ninth grade. I have been babysitting for 11 months. I take care of children. I love to play with kids, and I have a 7-year-old brother. I like to play with my brother, just like how I play with babysitters.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

First Aid
Melody A. - Seeking Work in San Diego

Nanny Melody

San Diego, CA
$23/hr
Full-time
6 years experience

A little bit about me

I have my own car and I’m bilingual (english and spanish). I live in Del Mar, CA 📍 I have no issues with commuting or driving. 🚗
Availability:
✅ Full-time availability
Open schedule including mornings 🌄, afternoons, evenings, and overnight care. 🌌
🕒 Monday–Friday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
🕒 Saturday: 5:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Pay is between $23-$26 depending on role and number of kiddos:)

Looking forward to supporting a loving family. Feel free to message me!!

Caring and reliable nanny Infant & toddler care (6+ years of experience).

What I can help with:
Child safety, daily routines (meal prep, naps, school pick-ups & drop-offs, driving to extracurricular activities, learning through play & early childhood development, homework help & tutoring in Spanish ) and I am comfortable with cleaning and household duties.

Patient, responsible, and genuinely love working with children, always making them feel safe, supported, and happy.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Kylie G. - Seeking Work in San Diego

Nanny Kylie

San Diego, CA
$23/hr
Full-time
4 years experience

A little bit about me

I am currently attending school in Massachusetts but graduate in Fall 2026! I will be moving to California in winter 2026 after graduation. I love working with children and my goal is to become a pediatric speech therapist!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Vielka B. - Seeking Work in San Diego

Nanny Vielka

San Diego, CA
$23/hr
Full-time
8 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I'm Vielka, 26 years old, originally from Ecuador. I’ve been caring for amazing children for the past 8 years, including experience with special needs. I have a warm, patient heart and truly love connecting with kids through play, creativity, and care. I’m fluent in Spanish and English, and I know a bit of Korean too! I enjoy doing arts and crafts, spending time outdoors, and making each day fun and meaningful for the little ones. I can provide strong references. Looking forward to bringing joy and support to your family!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Griselda -Gracie L. - Seeking Work in San Diego

Nanny Griselda -Gracie

San Diego, CA
$25 - $40/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

I am a loving responsible Energetic Caregiver with 20+ years of experience. In the past I Owned my Child Care business for 15 yrs.
I would like to help a family with their child care needs. I have a Child Care license and
CPR Certified.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid

Recent reference

"Our family had the pleasure to work with Gracie over the last nine months until our daughter began school. She is simply the loveliest of nannies! Gracie is incredibly reliable and always arrived on time, even with a long commute and rainy days. She was also flexible with her availability whenever we, on occasion, requested extended hours. Gracie was amazing with our young toddler. She danced, sang, laughed, read with and prepared activities for her. She cared for our daughter with genuine enthusiasm and such expertise having an impressive background in childcare. She was great with helping manage our daughter’s sleep schedule and all her other essential care. We highly recommend Gracie for your child and family. She is an amazing person and outstanding nanny. We will miss the joy and care she’s brought each day to our little girl, family, and home. We’d welcome a call to share more about our time with Gracie."
- Petter and Elly
Sofia D. - Seeking Work in San Diego

Nanny Sofia

San Diego, CA
$22/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

My name is Sofía Delgadillo. I am 30 years old and the oldest of two siblings. I consider myself a responsible, proactive, and respectful person. I enjoy working in a team, but I can also work independently. I am detail-oriented and I know how to work under pressure while staying organized and focused.

I have 10 years of experience in customer service, which has helped me develop strong communication skills, patience, and problem-solving abilities. I also have one year of experience working as a nanny, which I truly enjoyed because I like working with children and supporting their daily routines and development.

I am a very organized person, and I like to set goals and achieve them. I am excited about the opportunity to continue growing as a nanny and to provide a safe, caring, and positive environment for children.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Mia M. - Seeking Work in San Diego

Nanny Mia

San Diego, CA
$22/hr
Full-time
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is Mia and I am 21 years old. I grew up in a huge family and have always been around kids of all ages. I find joy in hanging out with my siblings! I just finished up my last class at Grossmont college for my associates degree. I am on my way to applying for a nursing program in January.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Damiana L. - Seeking Work in San Diego

Nanny Damiana

San Diego, CA
$22/hr
Full-time
8 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I’m Damiana! I have years of childcare experience across all ages and settings, and I love creating a safe, fun, and nurturing environment where kids can thrive. I’m reliable, patient, and passionate about helping families feel supported and cared for.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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