Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a live-in nanny cost in Indianapolis, IN in 2026?

In Indianapolis, IN, the average live-in nanny earns about $15.04 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $602/week or $2,607/month. Most Indianapolis families pay somewhere in the $7–$22/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$15.04/hr · Indianapolis average

These numbers come from 287 live live-in nanny listings in Indianapolis on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$602
$2,607
$31,283

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What drives the price

Most Indianapolis families pay somewhere in the $7–$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 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)$15.04
2 kids~$16.04
3+ kids~$17.04+

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$16.59/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$15.19/hr
Live-inSet by family$16.05/hr

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.

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

Indianapolis runs below the U.S. average for live-in nanny rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.

Hiring live-in nannies in Indianapolis, IN typically costs about 7% more than the Indiana average of $14/hour and 11% less than the United States average of $17/hour.

Average hourly live-in nannies rates compared across Indianapolis, IN and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis, IN$15/hr
Indiana$14/hr-6%
United States$17/hr+12%

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 Indianapolis, IN

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 Indianapolis, IN

    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 Indianapolis, IN

287 active listings in Indianapolis

Timmya C. - Seeking Work in Indianapolis

Nanny Timmya

Indianapolis, IN
$15.88/hr
Full-time
Part-time
4 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Timmya Croney, and I’m someone who genuinely loves working with kids and creating a positive, caring environment for them to grow in. I’ve been working with children since my freshman year and have continued gaining experience all the way into my 20s. Over the years, I’ve developed patience, strong communication skills, and a passion for helping kids learn, feel supported, and have fun. I enjoy building connections with children and being someone they can feel comfortable and safe around.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Alexis J. - Seeking Work in Indianapolis

Nanny Alexis

Indianapolis, IN
$15.47/hr
Full-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi I’m Alexis jones I’ve been working with kids since I was 16 at a daycare currently 22 I am from Chicago but touch down in Indy in love it so far

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Ella B. - Seeking Work in Indianapolis

Nanny Ella

Indianapolis, IN
$15/hr
Part-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hello, my name is Ella. I want to start off and say that I love children. I want my own someday but I have health issues that makes that kind of difficult. I've been babysitting children since I was ten years old and have been a nanny for eight years. I'm great at coming up with educational and creative things to do with the kids. Each day will be planned out and a schedule will be kept. You angels are safe in my hands and I will care for them as if they were my own.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Jasmine H. - Seeking Work in Indianapolis

Nanny Jasmine

Indianapolis, IN
$15/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello, my name is jasmine. I have two nephews and two nieces, I have great experiences with kids. i’m 14yrs of age in the 9th grade. my birthday is February 7th, I like doing fun activities and etc.

Certification

CPR
Kacea G. - Seeking Work in Indianapolis

Nanny Kacea

Indianapolis, IN
$15/hr
Full-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Kacea I'm 28 and have a 2 year old named Kyland and a stay at home mom looking for a job as well

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Anna B. - Seeking Work in Indianapolis

Nanny Anna

Indianapolis, IN
$15/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I’ve worked with grade school kids and have experience with helping kids with special needs, I was also a lunch lady, I’m CPR, AED, and first aid certified, and I’m going to vocational school for EMS. I would love the opportunity to work with kids.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Amy G. - Seeking Work in Indianapolis

Nanny Amy

Indianapolis, IN
$16/hr
Part-time
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I'm Amy. I love being a sitter because I enjoy helping families feel at ease, whether that’s by caring for little ones, pets, or their homes. I have 4 years of experience with babysitting, pet sitting, and house sitting, and I’m all about being reliable, organized, and kind. I treat every family like my own and always aim to leave things better than I found them.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Mackenze W. - Seeking Work in Indianapolis

Nanny Mackenze

Indianapolis, IN
$16/hr
Full-time
6 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Mackenze, and I'm a dedicated and experienced childcare provider. I recently moved to Cumberland, Indiana from Dallas, Texas. I have a 1-year-old son and am currently expecting my second child. With nearly 6 years of experience in childcare, including working in daycares, I have developed a strong passion for nurturing and educating young children. I am committed to providing a safe, loving, and stimulating environment for your little ones. Looking forward to meeting you and your family!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

First Aid
Mia P. - Seeking Work in Indianapolis

Nanny Mia

Indianapolis, IN
$15/hr
Part-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Mia and I love to me on my feet and on the go. I recently just graduated college in May 2024, I have two dogs and I live in the Brownsburg area. I have experience with infants. toddlers and up. I can provide lots of activities and different types of activities to keep children engaged and on the go. I offer pick up and drop off if needed, and light cleaning and meal prep as well. I can also provide over-night care too.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
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