Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a nanny cost in San Diego, CA in 2026?
In San Diego, CA, the average nanny earns about $23.82 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $953/week or $4,129/month. Most San Diego families pay somewhere in the $17–$35/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$23.82/hr · San Diego average
These numbers come from 487 live nanny listings in San Diego on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $953
- Monthly
- $4,129
- Annual
- $49,546
Find nannies near you
What drives the price
Most San Diego families pay somewhere in the $17–$35/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 $22.24/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $26.52/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
| 1 kid (baseline) | $23.82 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$24.82 |
| 3+ kids | ~$25.82+ |
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.
Full-time, part-time, and live-in nanny rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $24.96/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $23.68/hr | See part-time rates → |
| Live-in | Set by family | $24.65/hr | See live-in rates → |
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.
How do San Diego nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
San Diego is one of the more expensive nanny markets in the country.
Hiring nannies in San Diego, CA typically costs about 5% more than the California average of $23/hour and 24% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA | $24/hr | — |
| California | $23/hr | -5% |
| United States | $19/hr | -19% |
Where San Diego, CA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $18.84/hour in Fresno to $28.20/hour in San Francisco.
Below: how each compares to the San Diego, CA average of $23.82/hour — San Diego, CA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $28.20 | +18% | |
| 2 | San Jose | $25.38 | +7% | |
| 3 | Oakland | $25.31 | +6% | |
| 4 | Los Angeles | $24.63 | +3% | |
| 5 | San Diego | $23.82 | — | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $21.03 | -12% | |
| 7 | Riverside | $19.98 | -16% | |
| 8 | Stockton | $19.65 | -18% | |
| 9 | Bakersfield | $19.02 | -20% | |
| 10 | Fresno | $18.84 | -21% |
● Most expensive nearby: San Francisco ($28.20)● Least expensive nearby: Fresno ($18.84)
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.
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a nanny in San Diego, 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:
- 01
Browse nanny profiles in San Diego, CA
Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.
- 02
Message the ones who look like a fit
Reach out to the 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 nanny fits with your family in real time.
- 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 San Diego, CA
487 active listings in San Diego
Nanny Katheryn
Nanny Katheryn
San Diego, CA
$24/hr
Full-time
6 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello!
My name is Katie, i’m 24 and I love coloring, reading, and creating positive uplifting bonds that brighten a child’s day! :)
My name is Katie, i’m 24 and I love coloring, reading, and creating positive uplifting bonds that brighten a child’s day! :)
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Dana
Nanny Dana
San Diego, CA
$24 - $44/hr
Part-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Experienced caring mom of two college kids. CPR, First Aid cert., Clean driving record, Worked in day care and k-5 as teacher. Sign and sing, art and yoga teacher. I love kids and sharing their day. I have a gentle nature and can hold boundries. I have a bachelors degree and love animlas.
Looking forward to meeting your family.
Looking forward to meeting your family.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Anabella
Nanny Anabella
San Diego, CA
$25 - $30/hr
Part-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
My name is Bella, and I’m from New York. I recently moved to San Diego to attend my junior year at University of San Diego. Before moving, I babysat for the same family for about two years, caring for their two children, a 6-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl. I loved working with their family and most likely would still be with them if I had stayed in New York. Babysitting has become such an important job to me, and I would love to continue doing it throughout college until I graduate. I absolutely love animals (I had five back in New York!) and would be happy to care for pets as well. I enjoy staying active through hiking, walks, and going to the gym. I also love reading, writing, and getting involved at school. Most of all, I love having fun! I’m energetic, responsible, and genuinely enjoy spending time with kids and creating a fun, positive environment for them. I’m excited to meet a new family in San Diego and hopefully build a lasting relationship with them!
Nanny Hannah
Nanny Hannah
San Diego, CA
$30 - $50/hr
Part-time
5 years experience
A little bit about me
I’m a dedicated career nanny with several years of childcare experience, including working with children with Level 1 and Level 2 autism. I’m currently furthering my education in Early Childhood Education and love creating a patient, supportive, and fun environment for every child!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Janay
Nanny Janay
San Diego, CA
$17 - $20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
5 years experience
A little bit about me
I am janay I am 23 about to be 24 i been working with newborn to old for years I love kids and they love me I am cpr certified and I am reliable
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Karin
Nanny Karin
San Diego, CA
$25 - $30/hr
Full-time
Part-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hi, I’m Karin! I’m a warm, reliable, and energetic nanny with 15 years of experience caring for children of all ages, from newborns to school-age kids. I believe children thrive when they feel safe, loved, and engaged, and I’m passionate about creating that environment every day. I’ve worked with families in one-on-one, multi-child, or both settings. I’m CPR and First Aid certified. I’m comfortable handling daily routines, meal preparation, outdoor play, educational activities, and light household tasks related to the children. My approach is patient, playful, and consistent. I love reading books, doing arts and crafts, exploring nature, and turning everyday moments into learning opportunities. Parents often tell me their children look forward to my visits and that I bring calm energy and clear communication. I’m reliable, flexible, and fully committed to supporting both the children and the family. I hope l can meet you soon!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Taylor
Nanny Taylor
San Diego, CA
$30 - $40/hr
Part-time
5 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi my name is Taylor I have been working with kids for a couple of years i started off as an infant toddler teacher and went to substituting up to kindergarten and now am at a daycare and been here for 4 years I have children of my own and love working with children I am cpr and first aid certified
Have experience working with
Infants
Certification
CPR
Nanny Faith
Nanny Faith
San Diego, CA
$23 - $30/hr
Full-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello! My name is Faith, and I’m a dependable, caring, and energetic caregiver who genuinely enjoys working with children. I recently graduated from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor’s degree in Professional Writing for New Media.
I believe every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and encouraged to grow. Whether we’re reading books, doing arts and crafts, playing outside, helping with homework, or exploring creative learning activities, I strive to make each day both fun and meaningful. I’m patient, responsible, and enjoy building genuine relationships with the children and families I work with.
In addition to childcare, I’m happy to help with light housekeeping, meal preparation, running errands, transportation, homework assistance, and keeping the household organized. My goal is to make life easier for parents while providing children with a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where they can learn, have fun, and feel cared for.
I believe every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and encouraged to grow. Whether we’re reading books, doing arts and crafts, playing outside, helping with homework, or exploring creative learning activities, I strive to make each day both fun and meaningful. I’m patient, responsible, and enjoy building genuine relationships with the children and families I work with.
In addition to childcare, I’m happy to help with light housekeeping, meal preparation, running errands, transportation, homework assistance, and keeping the household organized. My goal is to make life easier for parents while providing children with a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where they can learn, have fun, and feel cared for.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Alize
Nanny Alize
San Diego, CA
$23/hr
Part-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Allie, and I'm a responsible, caring, and dependable individual with experience working with children in educational and supportive environments. I enjoy creating a safe, fun, and engaging atmosphere while helping children learn and grow. I would love the opportunity to support your family and build a positive relationship with your children.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid