Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a nanny cost in Santa Ana, CA in 2026?
In Santa Ana, CA, the average nanny earns about $21.14 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $846/week or $3,664/month. Most Santa Ana families pay somewhere in the $17–$28/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$21.14/hr · Santa Ana average
These numbers come from 69 live nanny listings in Santa Ana on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $846
- Monthly
- $3,664
- Annual
- $43,971
Find nannies near you
What drives the price
Most Santa Ana families pay somewhere in the $17–$28/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
| 1 kid (baseline) | $21.14 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$22.14 |
| 3+ kids | ~$23.14+ |
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 | $22.46/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $21.07/hr | See part-time 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.
How do Santa Ana nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
Santa Ana runs above the U.S. average for nanny rates, in line with most major metros.
Hiring nannies in Santa Ana, CA typically costs about 6% less than the California average of $22/hour and 11% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Santa Ana, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Ana, CA | $21/hr | — |
| California | $22/hr | +6% |
| United States | $19/hr | -10% |
Where Santa Ana, CA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $18.73/hour in Fresno to $27.77/hour in San Francisco.
Below: how each compares to the Santa Ana, CA average of $21.14/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Santa Ana, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $27.77 | +31% | |
| 2 | San Jose | $25.13 | +19% | |
| 3 | Oakland | $24.99 | +18% | |
| 4 | Los Angeles | $24.45 | +16% | |
| 5 | San Diego | $23.39 | +11% | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $21.05 | — | |
| 7 | Riverside | $20.18 | -5% | |
| 8 | Stockton | $19.52 | -8% | |
| 9 | Bakersfield | $18.92 | -11% | |
| 10 | Fresno | $18.73 | -11% |
● Most expensive nearby: San Francisco ($27.77)● Least expensive nearby: Fresno ($18.73)
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 Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, CA
69 active listings in Santa Ana
Nanny Raffaela
Nanny Raffaela
Santa Ana, CA
$20 - $25/hr
Part-time
5 years experience
A little bit about me
My name is Raffaela, and taking care of children is something I feel passionate about. I have experience from when I was in college. For the last four years I have been a resource parent (ie, foster parent). Since I am not fostering at the moment, I have time and lots of experience in childcare. My other passion is education, and I teach college courses online. My flexible schedule allows me to manage the two roles I care about the most.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Alanna
Nanny Alanna
Santa Ana, CA
$22/hr
Part-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hi I'm Lanna, currently studying radiology at orange coast college! I love babysitting and would love to for a part time job to pay for school:)
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Danika
Nanny Danika
Santa Ana, CA
$20 - $30/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I’m a dedicated, patient, and loving individual with experience working with children, including high school-aged kids. I bring a fun and positive energy to my caregiving, always aiming to create a safe, supportive, and enjoyable environment. I truly enjoy helping kids grow, learn, and feel confident, and I’m committed to being a dependable and caring presence in their lives.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Rachelle
Nanny Rachelle
Santa Ana, CA
$21/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I love children of all ages and adults with disabilities. I've worked with adults with cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injuries. I'm a kid at heart and love staying active, playing sports and practicing yoga. I also love cooking and baking.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Mari
Nanny Mari
Santa Ana, CA
$22/hr
Part-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hi my name's is Maricela. I'm outgoing and friendly and very respectful. I also have a boy who I consider to be my little best friend. I currently have a full time job as a dental assistant that I love bc I love working with ppl and making a difference in there smile. I do genuinely enjoy my patients big and small. I enjoy helping ppl and if I can help you by looking after your little one that would be my pleasure.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certification
CPR
Nanny Yvette
Nanny Yvette
Santa Ana, CA
$20/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hello! My name is Yvette, I'm 26 years old and currently a stay at home mom to two wonderful kids. I'm passionate about working with children and hope to one day work in a daycare. I'm looking for an opportunity to gain more experience by caring for children in a home environment. I love creating a fun, safe, and nurturing space for little ones to play, learn, and grow. Since I don't currently have daycare for my daughter I would need to bring her along with me. She is very sweet, easygoing, and loves playing with other children. I believe this could be a great opportunity for her as well, as I'm working on getting her comfortable in preparation for (TK). I will provide everything she needs; food, snacks, toys, so my attention can remain focused on your children. I'm reliable, patient, and truly enjoy being around kids. I'd love the chance to support your family while building the experience I need to grow in this field.
Thank you for considering me
Yvette
Thank you for considering me
Yvette
Certification
CPR
Nanny Annick
Nanny Annick
Santa Ana, CA
$20/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Just recently graduated from college, and have been doing freelance on my downtime! I love kids and have been helping my mom with supervising young kids since the 6th grade! She is a preschool teacher and I had the privilege to help out with daycare after school and summer school before I went to college. So it’s been many many years of just volunteering my time to spend time with kids and teaching them to play games and learn to write some abc’s as well. It’s always a joy letting a kid be a kid and engaging with them as much as possible without the use of phones or tablets. I can meal prep, and clean up after them and even do more cleaning for you if needed!
Nanny Lorena Monserrat
Nanny Lorena Monserrat
Santa Ana, CA
$20/hr
Full-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello my name is Lorena but I like to go by Monse. I am a 19 year college student studying for business management and child development. I have a passion for working as a babysitter. I love creating a fun and safe environment I enjoy planning engaging activities, from arts and crafts to outdoor games, I also prioritize safety and responsibility, ensuring that all needs are met and parents can feel confident leaving their children or elderly people in my care. It's incredibly rewarding to see the smiles on their faces and know that I'm making a positive impact on their lives.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Erika
Nanny Erika
Santa Ana, CA
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi my name is Erika and I had worked as a nanny before but when I had kids and dedicated my time to them. Now that they are big I can go back to what I love doing. Right now I just work as a part time when one of the employee is sick in Garden Grove District helping the school during recess and lunch time. I'm ready to have a steady job and help a family with their children.
Have experience working with
Infants