Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a live-in nanny cost in St. Louis, MO in 2026?

In St. Louis, MO, the average live-in nanny earns about $18.09 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $724/week or $3,136/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.

Average hourly rate$18.09/hr · St. Louis average

These numbers come from 101 live live-in nanny listings in St. Louis on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$724
$3,136
$37,627

Find live-in nannies near you

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.


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)$18.09
2 kids~$19.09
3+ kids~$20.09+

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$19.22/hr
Live-inSet by family$18.57/hr

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 live-in nanny.

Browse live-in nannies

How do St. Louis live-in nanny rates compare to state and national averages?

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

Hiring live-in nannies in St. Louis, MO typically costs about 3% more than the Missouri average of $18/hour and 6% less than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly live-in nannies rates compared across St. Louis, MO and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. St. Louis, MO
St. Louis, MO$18/hr—
Missouri$18/hr-2%
United States$19/hr+6%

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 St. Louis, MO

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 St. Louis, MO

    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 St. Louis, MO

101 active listings in St. Louis

Nariah J. - Seeking Work in St. Louis

Nanny Nariah

St. Louis, MO
$18/hr
Full-time
Part-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

With about 5 years in childcare I love kids and always have. I have graduated high school and will be starting college in December to be a pediatric nurse!! I just had my own baby 2 months ago. The baby stage is my favorite but I love all the kids and want to have fun with them and get to build new relationships with the kids!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Aleks E. - Seeking Work in St. Louis

Nanny Aleks

St. Louis, MO
$18/hr
Full-time
Part-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

I have an extensive background in working with and supporting autistic youth and adults. I am a core member of my sister's care team and have 13 years of neurodiverse childcare experience. As I pursue a career in disability and accessibility work, I am looking to support myself while following my passion for working with youth.

I grew up on the East Coast and have a biochemistry degree with a disability studies minor from Connecticut College. I believe that youth, especially those who express themselves differently than what is considered "normal," are far too often completely invalidated and disregarded. Taking time to listen to their experiences and connect with them as individuals illuminates the often justified root of their reactions. Working with young people brings me great joy, and it is a privilege to connect with them. 

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Maurlesha C. - Seeking Work in St. Louis

Nanny Maurlesha

St. Louis, MO
$15/hr
Full-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Babysitter Introduction

Hello! My name is Maurlesha. I’m a responsible, patient, and dependable person with experience caring for children of different ages. I’ve helped take care of my siblings from ages 2–17, which has taught me how to be attentive, understanding, and responsible when it comes to children.

I take childcare seriously and understand the importance of keeping children safe, comfortable, and well cared for. I’m willing to come to your home, or you’re welcome to bring your child to me. I’m also happy to meet with you beforehand so we can get to know each other and make sure you feel comfortable with me caring for your child.

Although I don’t currently have a driver’s license, I’m reliable and willing to work with you to make arrangements that work for everyone.
Kelis P. - Seeking Work in St. Louis

Nanny Kelis

St. Louis, MO
$20 - $25/hr
Full-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Kelis. I’m a caring, patient, and responsible person who truly loves working with children. I currently work at an elementary school, where I get to interact with and support kids every day. I’ve also tutored children, which has given me experience helping them learn and grow. I would love the opportunity to bring my experience, positive attitude, and genuine love for kids to your family!
Jacqueline d. - Seeking Work in St. Louis

Nanny Jacqueline

St. Louis, MO
$17.50/hr
Full-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

I have five years of experience working with PreK–8th grade students at a Catholic school, where I developed strong skills in childcare, communication, and creating structured, supportive environments. I also have hands-on experience caring for my niece from 7 months to 2 years old, managing daily routines like feeding, naps, and play while supporting early development. I’m patient, reliable, and passionate about creating a safe, nurturing space for children to grow.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Marqueisha C. - Seeking Work in St. Louis

Nanny Marqueisha

St. Louis, MO
$18/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I'm very nice and calm when it come to kids I have a 1 year old myself I really enjoy parenting and love being around kids they bring so much joy and happiness kids are so innocent and I love that kids can be kids nowdays and have a child hood I never have so I love to experience something new

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Rutendo M. - Seeking Work in St. Louis

Nanny Rutendo

St. Louis, MO
$18/hr
Part-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I’m a caring and reliable babysitter who loves working with children. I’m patient, attentive, and always focused on creating a safe, fun and nurturing environment for kids to feel comfortable and happy.
Makayla J. - Seeking Work in St. Louis

Nanny Makayla

St. Louis, MO
$18/hr
Full-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello ,my name is Makayla I am 19 I have taken care of my of children’s all my life I went thru the adoption process to get my niece when I was 18 she is now 3 I am a cashier going to nursing school to be a nurse and specialist in behavior health . I also have a autistic brother who I work with on schooling n learning ❗️

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Ta'sha C. - Seeking Work in St. Louis

Nanny Ta'sha

St. Louis, MO
$18/hr
Full-time
Part-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I’m Ta’sha, I’m 20 years old, and I’m a licensed esthetician. Before that, I was a makeup artist and an all-around creative. I love incorporating art into everything I do— it keeps life fun and expressive! I believe creativity is a transferable skill that not only helps in the workplace but also in connecting with people, especially kids. I enjoy bringing a sense of imagination, patience, and care into every environment I’m part of.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

CPR
Find Nannies Near Me

Related costs in St. Louis MO

Popular services in St. Louis, MO

Start your journey towards finding your perfect live-in nanny

Get Started