Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

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

In Monterey, CA, the average nanny earns about $21.87 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $875/week or $3,791/month. Most Monterey families pay somewhere in the $17–$33/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$21.87/hr · Monterey average

These numbers come from 68 live nanny listings in Monterey on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$875
$3,791
$45,490

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What drives the price

Most Monterey families pay somewhere in the $17–$33/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 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)$21.87
2 kids~$22.87
3+ kids~$23.87+

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$24.86/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$21.13/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.

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

Monterey is one of the more expensive nanny markets in the country.

Hiring nannies in Monterey, CA typically costs about 8% more than the California average of $20/hour and 30% more than the United States average of $17/hour.

Average hourly nannies rates compared across Monterey, CA and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Monterey, CA
Monterey, CA$22/hr
California$20/hr-7%
United States$17/hr-23%

Where Monterey, 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 Monterey, CA average of $21.87/hour.

Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate

10 cities near Monterey, CA ranked by average hourly nanny rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Monterey, CA
1San Francisco$25.24+15%
2San Jose$22.92+5%
3Los Angeles$21.78
4San Diego$21.05-4%
5Long Beach$20.53-6%
6Sacramento$19.18-12%
7Stockton$18.53-15%
8Riverside$18.26-17%
9Bakersfield$17.81-19%
10Fresno$17.55-20%
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 Monterey, 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 Monterey, 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 Monterey, CA

68 active listings in Monterey

Beatriz B. - Seeking Work in Monterey

Nanny Beatriz

Monterey, CA
$21 - $40/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I spend most of my time with my puppy and family; I come from a big family and I’ve helped raise my nieces and nephews. I love the outdoors, trying new cafes and binge watching shows/movies.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Lanette G. - Seeking Work in Monterey

Nanny Lanette

Monterey, CA
$21/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

I am Lanette Graham seeking employment a struggling mother of. A 9year old we have been hotel hopping for last 8 months getting rougher harder can’t seem to find work just need something to get me some stability right now please and thank you

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Kate B. - Seeking Work in Monterey

Nanny Kate

Monterey, CA
$22/hr
Part-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

My name is Kate, and I am new to the Monterey area. I am kind, patient, and love to have fun. I would be willing to do light housecleaning, light meal prep, take your child on outdoor adventures, and even help with early age learning.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certification

CPR
Jennifer C. - Seeking Work in Monterey

Nanny Jennifer

Monterey, CA
$23/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi, My name is Jennifer Cosentino. I’m from Mexico. I’m a native Spanish speaker. My background is in Educacion, I have +5 years of experience teaching children from 3 months to 6 yo.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Nicolas V. - Seeking Work in Monterey

Nanny Nicolas

Monterey, CA
$22/hr
Part-time
2 years experience

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Lilyana M. - Seeking Work in Monterey

Nanny Lilyana

Monterey, CA
$21/hr
Full-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

my name is Lily . I have three years of experience working with kids as a preschool teacher and I would like to become a nanny because i really enjoy working with kids!

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Karina P. - Seeking Work in Monterey

Nanny Karina

Monterey, CA
$22/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Karina and I currently live in northern Utah. I am from Southern California but regularly visited Monterey as a child. I love trying new experiences and but also keep myself grounded with family and friends.

Certification

CPR
Cindi V. - Seeking Work in Monterey

Nanny Cindi

Monterey, CA
$21/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hi My name is Cindi I have been working with preschool aged children for approximately 20 years.
I have worked in pre school settings and currently as a Nanny for two boys.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Valerie D. - Seeking Work in Monterey

Nanny Valerie

Monterey, CA
$22/hr
Part-time
5 years experience

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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