Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a live-in nanny cost in Chicago, IL in 2026?
In Chicago, IL, the average live-in nanny earns about $19.67 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $787/week or $3,409/month. Most Chicago families pay somewhere in the $15–$26/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$19.67/hr · Chicago average
These numbers come from 242 live live-in nanny listings in Chicago on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $787
- Monthly
- $3,409
- Annual
- $40,914
Find live-in nannies near you
What drives the price
Most Chicago families pay somewhere in the $15–$26/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
| 1 kid (baseline) | $19.67 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$20.67 |
| 3+ kids | ~$21.67+ |
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 live-in nanny rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $20.61/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $19.63/hr | See part-time rates → |
| Live-in | Set by family | $20.24/hr | See live-in rates → |
Part-time runs slightly lower per hour than full-time here, which often means strong full-time demand supports higher rates for committed schedules.
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.
How do Chicago live-in nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
Chicago sits close to the national average for live-in nanny rates.
Hiring live-in nannies in Chicago, IL typically costs about 6% more than the Illinois average of $19/hour and 5% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $20/hr | — |
| Illinois | $19/hr | -5% |
| United States | $19/hr | -5% |
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.
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a live-in nanny in Chicago, IL
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:
- 01
Browse live-in nanny profiles in Chicago, IL
Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Chicago, IL
242 active listings in Chicago
Nanny Silje
Nanny Silje
Chicago, IL
$20/hr
Full-time
7 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Silje. I’m looking for a live in nanny position. I’m 22 years old and I have a variety of experience in childcare including care for special needs kids. I’d love to chat about what you’re looking for to see if I’d be a good fit!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny DarnellT
Nanny DarnellT
Chicago, IL
$18 - $19/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
My name is Darnell Thurmond I have worked with children for more than 10 plus years in many fields from day cares to elementary schools working with kids of multiple ages including young adults and adults as well I love helping people and teaching them the many aspects of life as that is something I hold deeply to my heart.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Soren
Nanny Soren
Chicago, IL
$19.66/hr
Full-time
1 year experience
A little bit about me
My name is Soren, I am 16 years old. I love arts and crafts, dancing, cooking, working out, and hiking. I am an excellent cleaner and I love organizing! I am looking forward to becoming a child psychologist when I am older.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Dasia
Nanny Dasia
Chicago, IL
$19.50 - $22.50/hr
Full-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
I have a niece who recently turned one years old, I've worked with children almost my whole life and I would love to continue it
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Génesis Z
Nanny Génesis Z
Chicago, IL
$15 - $16/hr
Full-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Responsible, caring, and dependable babysitter with experience caring for children of different ages. I am a cosmetology graduate with strong communication skills, patience, and a nurturing personality. I am committed to creating a safe, fun, and positive environment while ensuring children’s needs are met. I can assist with meal preparation, homework help, light housekeeping related to childcare, and engaging activities. Parents can count on me to be trustworthy, attentive, and dedicated to their children’s well-being.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certification
First Aid
Nanny Alexia
Nanny Alexia
Chicago, IL
$17 - $25/hr
Full-time
6 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I just graduated with a bachelors in biochemistry. I love kids and have always loved the aspect of helping them learn and grow. I am extremely creative and love coming up with activities and fun ways to help children learn. I can tutor any grade and subject, as well as help with any household cleaning and cooking.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Mia
Nanny Mia
Chicago, IL
$22 - $40/hr
Full-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I’m Mia, a responsible, energetic, and compassionate caregiver with experience managing busy environments and working closely with people of all ages. I have a degree in Criminal Justice and have a strong passion for helping others, creating safe spaces, and building meaningful connections.
I’m reliable, patient, and naturally attentive, whether that means helping with routines, keeping kids engaged, or simply making sure they feel comfortable and supported. I love being active, creative, and hands-on, and I’m happy to help with things like homework, meals, light housekeeping, and activities.
People would describe me as dependable, calm under pressure, and easy to communicate with. I value kindness, consistency, and making both kids and parents feel at ease!
I’m reliable, patient, and naturally attentive, whether that means helping with routines, keeping kids engaged, or simply making sure they feel comfortable and supported. I love being active, creative, and hands-on, and I’m happy to help with things like homework, meals, light housekeeping, and activities.
People would describe me as dependable, calm under pressure, and easy to communicate with. I value kindness, consistency, and making both kids and parents feel at ease!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Erica
Nanny Erica
Chicago, IL
$19/hr
Part-time
1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hi, I’m Erica! I’m a responsible, caring, and energetic college student based in Chicago with a strong passion for working with children. I have experience volunteering in community settings and am CPR/AED certified through the American Heart Association, so safety is always my top priority.
I’m patient, reliable, and love creating a fun, supportive environment—whether that’s helping with homework, organizing activities, or simply being someone kids feel comfortable around. I also speak some Spanish, which can be helpful for bilingual families.
I’m currently looking for babysitting or nanny opportunities where I can build meaningful connections with families while providing dependable, attentive care.
I’m patient, reliable, and love creating a fun, supportive environment—whether that’s helping with homework, organizing activities, or simply being someone kids feel comfortable around. I also speak some Spanish, which can be helpful for bilingual families.
I’m currently looking for babysitting or nanny opportunities where I can build meaningful connections with families while providing dependable, attentive care.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Aliyah
Nanny Aliyah
Chicago, IL
$20/hr
Part-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I am a passionate nursing student who is first-aid and CPR certified.
I have a background in child development, working with intellectual and physical disabilities, and caring for newborns to middle school kids! I come from a wide range of experience and I would love to get to know you and your family!
I have a background in child development, working with intellectual and physical disabilities, and caring for newborns to middle school kids! I come from a wide range of experience and I would love to get to know you and your family!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid