Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a nanny cost in Chico, CA in 2026?

In Chico, CA, the average nanny earns about $17.72 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $709/week or $3,071/month. Most Chico families pay somewhere in the $17–$22/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$17.72/hr · Chico average

These numbers come from 359 live nanny listings in Chico on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$709
$3,071
$36,858

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What drives the price

Most Chico families pay somewhere in the $17–$22/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.


01

Experience

More experienced nannys command higher rates. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $17.90/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $19.14/hour.
Avg hourly rate by years of experience

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)$17.72
2 kids~$18.72
3+ kids~$19.72+

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 nanny rates

ArrangementTypical hoursAverage rate
Full-time35–50 hrs/week$18.67/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$17.95/hr
Live-inSet by family$18.44/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 nanny.

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How do Chico nanny rates compare to state and national averages?

Chico runs above the U.S. average for nanny rates, in line with most major metros.

Hiring nannies in Chico, CA typically costs about 13% less than the California average of $20/hour and 6% more than the United States average of $17/hour.

Average hourly nannies rates compared across Chico, CA and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Chico, CA
Chico, CA$18/hr
California$20/hr+15%
United States$17/hr-5%

Where Chico, CA fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $17.55/hour in Fresno to $25.24/hour in San Francisco.

Below: how each compares to the Chico, CA average of $17.72/hour.

Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate

10 cities near Chico, CA ranked by average hourly nanny rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Chico, CA
1San Francisco$25.24+42%
2San Jose$22.92+29%
3Los Angeles$21.78+23%
4San Diego$21.05+19%
5Long Beach$20.53+16%
6Sacramento$19.18+8%
7Stockton$18.53+5%
8Riverside$18.26+3%
9Bakersfield$17.81+1%
10Fresno$17.55-1%
Most expensive nearby: San Francisco ($25.24) Least expensive nearby: Fresno ($17.55)

Tips to find a great nanny without overpaying

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

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

  1. 01

    Browse nanny profiles in Chico, CA

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

  2. 02

    Message the ones who look like a fit

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

  4. 04

    Hire your nanny

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

Available nannies in Chico, CA

359 active listings in Chico

Jozie B. - Seeking Work in Chico

Nanny Jozie

Chico, CA
$17 - $20/hr
Full-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is Jozie! I am 18 years old I am attending butte college in the fall to get my nursing degree! I currently work at Dutch bros I am a barista. I enjoy being around children

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Sasha O. - Seeking Work in Chico

Nanny Sasha

Chico, CA
$18 - $25/hr
Part-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi!
my name is Sasha im an 18 year old girl in college i love working with kids. specifically I have a lot working experience with infants ages 2-10 months and toddlers ages 3-6. im also majoring in Child Development to become a teacher. I would love to work and im exited to have the opportunity to work with you :)

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

First Aid
Katherine D. - Seeking Work in Chico

Nanny Katherine

Chico, CA
$18 - $19/hr
Full-time
Part-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Katie and ive been working with kids for around 7 years now, I am 19 and in college at butte college. I have experience as a lifeguard and a camp counselor, as well as a babysitter. I love kids and am going to become an English teacher! I have a lot of experience with toddlers as well as grade school age and have been around kids with disabilities my whole life. I am responsible and caring and would love to work with you!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Katie W. - Seeking Work in Chico

Nanny Katie

Chico, CA
$18/hr
Full-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Katie, and I’m a 35-year-old mom of three. I’ve spent the past several years as a stay-at-home parent, and now that my youngest is in school, I’m excited to continue doing what I love as a full-time nanny.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Ila H. - Seeking Work in Chico

Nanny Ila

Chico, CA
$17.85/hr
Part-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is Ila! I moved to Chico for school and looking for part time work. I worked with kids back home and enjoyed my time with them! I want to continue working with kids while I am in school.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Keyara W. - Seeking Work in Chico

Nanny Keyara

Chico, CA
$18/hr
Full-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi, my name is Keyara! I’m a fourth-year college student studying Critical Race Theory and Legal Studies, with plans to add Early Education Studies to my coursework. I have years of experience babysitting and volunteering with children, including helping run my church’s Vacation Bible School during the summers. I’m passionate about providing nurturing, engaging care and building stable, long-term relationships with families. I’m excited to bring my skills, education, and love for working with children to a nanny role that allows me to further grow my experience in childcare.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Zoey P. - Seeking Work in Chico

Nanny Zoey

Chico, CA
$17.50/hr
Part-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

I am a second year in college and working toward my nursing degree. I have babysat and nannied many families over the years since I was 15 and also ran the childcare department at my church for almost 2 years. I can cook, clean, bath kids, change diapers, tutor and many more. I have taken care of kids ranging from 0-12 year old and have lots of experience with any age group.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

First Aid
Addison K. - Seeking Work in Chico

Nanny Addison

Chico, CA
$17/hr
Full-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Addison and I am 17 years old and I have been babysitting young children for 2 years now. I am about to begin my freshman year at Butte College.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Savannah C. - Seeking Work in Chico

Nanny Savannah

Chico, CA
$17/hr
Full-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I am the oldest child of 8 kids, from the ages 15-4. With both parents working full time, I have been an active care giver for my siblings. I recently graduated from high school and moved away from home.

Have experience working with

Infants
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