Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a live-in nanny cost in Madison, WI in 2026?
In Madison, WI, the average live-in nanny earns about $16.40 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $656/week or $2,843/month. Most Madison families pay somewhere in the $8–$24/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$16.40/hr · Madison average
These numbers come from 84 live live-in nanny listings in Madison on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $656
- Monthly
- $2,843
- Annual
- $34,112
Find live-in nannies near you
What drives the price
Most Madison families pay somewhere in the $8–$24/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) | $16.40 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$17.40 |
| 3+ kids | ~$18.40+ |
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.
How do Madison live-in nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
Madison sits close to the national average for live-in nanny rates.
Hiring live-in nannies in Madison, WI typically costs about 10% more than the Wisconsin average of $15/hour and 3% less than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Madison, WI |
|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | $16/hr | — |
| Wisconsin | $15/hr | -9% |
| United States | $17/hr | +3% |
Where Madison, WI fits among nearby cities
8 nearby cities have enough live-in nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $12.82/hour in Appleton to $16.56/hour in Wauwatosa.
Below: how each compares to the Madison, WI average of $16.40/hour — Madison, WI is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by live-in nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Madison, WI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wauwatosa | $16.56 | +1% | |
| 2 | MadisonThis city | $16.45 | — | |
| 3 | Milwaukee | $15.02 | -8% | |
| 4 | Racine | $14.21 | -13% | |
| 5 | Eau Claire | $14.13 | -14% | |
| 6 | Kenosha | $13.67 | -17% | |
| 7 | Green Bay | $12.95 | -21% | |
| 8 | Appleton | $12.82 | -22% |
● Most expensive nearby: Wauwatosa ($16.56)● Least expensive nearby: Appleton ($12.82)
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 Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI
84 active listings in Madison
Nanny Kellyn
Nanny Kellyn
Madison, WI
Active Now
$16/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hi everyone!! My name is Kellyn, I am 21 years old, and am currently a student at Madison Area Technical College going for a degree in Nursing. I have baby sat my neighbors son who was 5 years old, and I loved doing it! I will ensure your child is in safe hands, and provide exceptional care while also having fun in a stimulating environment! I also love pets of any kind, so a dog or cat in your home is just a perk!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Alisah
Nanny Alisah
Madison, WI
$16/hr
Part-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello my name is Alisah! I am currently a freshman attending Madison college and am looking for a babysitting job opportunity to fulfill outside of school. I am a Certified Nursing Assistant and work part time at Oak Park Nursing home. During my senior year, I acquired my teaching assistant license, registered by the state of Wisconsin, that allows me to work with children alongside a certified teacher, I am currently on winter break, and I’m looking for a babysitting job outside of my CNA job. Outside of my work profession I love to be active, spend time with kids, go outside, and on top of that just have fun in general. I understand that babysitting is not only watching someone else’s child, but fully taking care of them under the best care possible. It is also important to recognize the concept of being a Caregiver, and have a clear, mature mindset. Hopefully I am the perfect match for you!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Hana
Nanny Hana
Madison, WI
$16/hr
Full-time
1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hello, my name is Hana Amelio. I’m 21 years old and currently a Nursing student at Bryant & Stratton. I’ve previously worked at a pre-school and taught swim lessons for children at the YMCA. I have a passion for caring for children and improving their daily lives as much as possible. I’m looking for part time/full time work for the next few months possibly longer if the family could work with my school schedule when classes start again.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Chris
Nanny Chris
Madison, WI
$16/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hello!
My name is Chris, I am 34 year old father of two boys ages 14 & 6. I started my adventure in child care working at La Petite in Verona before my first child was born. I’ve since transitioned into the nanny world, helping to provide a safe & energetic space for children to grow and engage in!
Outdoor time is key for me, being able to share experiences with children and enable them to learn and play at the same time is absolutely wonderful!
My name is Chris, I am 34 year old father of two boys ages 14 & 6. I started my adventure in child care working at La Petite in Verona before my first child was born. I’ve since transitioned into the nanny world, helping to provide a safe & energetic space for children to grow and engage in!
Outdoor time is key for me, being able to share experiences with children and enable them to learn and play at the same time is absolutely wonderful!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Kenadie
Nanny Kenadie
Madison, WI
$17.51/hr
Part-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I’m a sophomore at UW–Madison majoring in Finance and Investment Banking. I’ve been nannying and babysitting for about four years and have experience with kids of all ages—from infants to pre-teens. I’m currently bartending a few nights a week, but most of my classes are online, so I’m very flexible during the day. I have my own car on campus for easy transportation, and I’m also available for occasional overnight stays if needed. I’m responsible, energetic, and genuinely enjoy working with kids—looking forward to connecting with a great family!
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Siwar
Nanny Siwar
Madison, WI
$15/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hi my name is Siwar, I am 12 years old. I have a 2 year old sister I take care of. And love being around children.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Michelle
Nanny Michelle
Madison, WI
$15/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Care for children on weekends, evening and breaks, and specialize creating engaging yet educational to keep the kids occupied. I effectively manage time and will get all request from the parents fulfilled through the day.
Nanny Vanessa
Nanny Vanessa
Madison, WI
$15/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
My name is Vanessa I am 21 years old, I love kids and have been a nanny for years and always worked with children of all ages. I am looking to nanny full time over summer. I live in Madison, WI.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Tonette
Nanny Tonette
Madison, WI
$18/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
My name is Tonette Lee i am a people person i make everyone smile. I love dancing. Very out spoken there’s never a dull moment with me. :)
Have experience working with
Special Needs