Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a nanny cost in Cedar Rapids, IA in 2026?
In Cedar Rapids, IA, the average nanny earns about $16.53 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $661/week or $2,865/month. Most Cedar Rapids families pay somewhere in the $8–$23/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$16.53/hr · Cedar Rapids average
These numbers come from 127 live nanny listings in Cedar Rapids on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $661
- Monthly
- $2,865
- Annual
- $34,382
Find nannies near you
What drives the price
Most Cedar Rapids families pay somewhere in the $8–$23/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 $16.05/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $18.54/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) | $16.53 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$17.53 |
| 3+ kids | ~$18.53+ |
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 | $17.64/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $16.10/hr | See part-time rates → |
| Live-in | Set by family | $16.54/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 Cedar Rapids nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
Cedar Rapids runs below the U.S. average for nanny rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.
Hiring nannies in Cedar Rapids, IA typically costs about 3% more than the Iowa average of $16/hour and 15% less than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Cedar Rapids, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $17/hr | — |
| Iowa | $16/hr | -3% |
| United States | $19/hr | +17% |
Where Cedar Rapids, IA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $14.76/hour in Cedar Falls to $18.37/hour in West Des Moines.
Below: how each compares to the Cedar Rapids, IA average of $16.53/hour — Cedar Rapids, IA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Cedar Rapids, IA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Des Moines | $18.37 | +11% | |
| 2 | Des Moines | $17.41 | +5% | |
| 3 | Davenport | $17.12 | +4% | |
| 4 | Ankeny | $17.05 | +3% | |
| 5 | Waukee | $16.90 | +2% | |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids | $16.53 | — | |
| 7 | Sioux City | $16.18 | -2% | |
| 8 | Iowa City | $15.99 | -3% | |
| 9 | Ames | $15.34 | -7% | |
| 10 | Cedar Falls | $14.76 | -11% |
● Most expensive nearby: West Des Moines ($18.37)● Least expensive nearby: Cedar Falls ($14.76)
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 Cedar Rapids, IA
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 Cedar Rapids, IA
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 Cedar Rapids, IA
127 active listings in Cedar Rapids
Nanny Paulynn
Nanny Paulynn
Cedar Rapids, IA
$15 - $19/hr
Full-time
Part-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I am a 21 year old looking for a family to nanny for! I have a 5 month old daughter myself, and know the feeling to need someone great to take care of your little ones. I am CPR and First Aid certified, i have 4+ years of working in daycares and have references if needed! I will make sure your littles have plenty of crafts, books read, and lots of playtime while i am working! I look forward to hearing from you!:)
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Isabelle
Nanny Isabelle
Cedar Rapids, IA
$16 - $25/hr
Part-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Isabelle, and I have several years of experience babysitting, nannying, tutoring, and teaching piano to kids of different ages. I enjoy working with children and try to create a balance of structure, safety, and fun. I have my own car and a clean driving record, so I am comfortable helping with transportation, school pickup, activities, homework, simple meals, light housekeeping, and daily routines. I also love staying active and am always up for getting kids out of the house, whether that means going to the park, golfing, playing pickleball, riding bikes, going on walks, or finding something fun to do outside. I would describe myself as dependable, patient, responsible, and easy to communicate with. My goal is always to make parents feel confident that their kids are safe, cared for, and having a good day.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Kristin
Nanny Kristin
Cedar Rapids, IA
$16/hr
Part-time
7 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello, my name is Kristin. I'm an experienced nanny specializing in infants and toddlers. I love using flashcards and other teaching aids to get children familiar with colors, shapes, numbers and letters starting as early as 9 months old. All of the children I have nannied have gotten a huge head start in learning and reading, and by 36-48 months of age, most were able to identify all upper and lower case letters, basic shapes, primary and secondary colors, and numbers 1-20 (sometimes more). I can also structure to your specific learning needs if you prefer bi-lingual learning, or if your child has specific learning challenges/needs. I have experience working with children who have physical and developmental challenges. I was a lifeguard and swimming lesson instructor in high school, and although I have not kept current on my CPR and First Aid certification, I am fully versed in both.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Addy
Nanny Addy
Cedar Rapids, IA
$16/hr
Part-time
5 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi I’m Addy! I’m entering my first year of the medical laboratory technology program at Kirkwood! I have worked with kids of all ages since 2020 and have many references if needed! I enjoy outdoor activities and sports but also enjoy the learning aspect of things and teaching children new things as well as getting them to step out of their comfort zone and try new activities!!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Carrie
Nanny Carrie
Cedar Rapids, IA
$16/hr
Part-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
I've raised my 3 Children's. My youngest is 17. I've also taken care of my 6 Grandchildren at different times in the last 8 years. I most recently took care of 2-4 of my Grandkids for 2 years ages ranging from 1-8 years old. Taking care of Meals, Nap Times, Park Trips, Light House Cleaning,Etc. I have also been a Children's Church Teacher for past 3 years. I've had CPR Training but have not gotten recertification.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Alayna
Nanny Alayna
Cedar Rapids, IA
$17/hr
Full-time
5 years experience
A little bit about me
Hey my name is Alayna. I am going to kirkwood part time. I’ve been working at a daycare since I was 16 I am now 21. The daycare I’m working at now I work in the baby room. I love working with kids. I just want to work with a family one on one. Hopefully I can find that one here
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Keaton
Nanny Keaton
Cedar Rapids, IA
$16/hr
Part-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
I’m Keaton, and I’m looking for a job where I can help both children and their families while I am working towards my associate’s degree at Kirkwood! Through work and school, I have earned certifications and received training in CPR, first aid, disease and injury prevention and child abuse prevention. I enjoy working with children and I am currently working at a local childcare center, usually keeping up with eight or more children at once, depending on age group. I have worked with ages ranging from 6 weeks to 6 years, but my personal favorite to work with are toddlers and older kids.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Kate
Nanny Kate
Cedar Rapids, IA
$17/hr
Full-time
5 years experience
A little bit about me
Heyy I’m Kate! I’ve been babysitting since I was 12! I’m very calm but can be very outgoing as well!
Have experience working with
Infants
Nanny Bethany
Nanny Bethany
Cedar Rapids, IA
$16/hr
Part-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi, I'm Bethany. I'm currently in nursing school and will graduate in 2025! I am a very friendly and easy going person. I have many years of experience working with children ages newborn to 12 years and I used to do childcare for my church. I am more than comfortable with pets, happy to help with household chores, preparing snacks and meals, and providing an entertaining and safe environment for all children.
I am looking for a babysitting job for the month of December and January.
I started working with kids when...
At 13 years old. I first helped my grandma's friend at an in home daycare. I've done an internship in high school with preschoolers, I've staffed at a kids camp for 5 years, I've done childcare for my church, and I'm currently babysitting for a family on Saturdays.
I am looking for a babysitting job for the month of December and January.
I started working with kids when...
At 13 years old. I first helped my grandma's friend at an in home daycare. I've done an internship in high school with preschoolers, I've staffed at a kids camp for 5 years, I've done childcare for my church, and I'm currently babysitting for a family on Saturdays.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid