Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a nanny cost in Des Moines, IA in 2026?
In Des Moines, IA, the average nanny earns about $15.32 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $613/week or $2,655/month. Most Des Moines families pay somewhere in the $7–$22/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 307 live nanny listings in Des Moines on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $613
- Monthly
- $2,655
- Annual
- $31,866
Find nannies near you
What drives the price
Most Des Moines families pay somewhere in the $7–$22/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.
Experience
Number of kids
| 1 kid (baseline) | $15.32 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$16.32 |
| 3+ kids | ~$17.32+ |
Hours & 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
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $16.05/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $16.10/hr | See part-time rates → |
| Live-in | Set by family | $15.71/hr | See live-in rates → |
Part-time and full-time hourly rates are similar here — short schedules don't always command a premium when full-time openings are easy to fill.
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 Des Moines nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
Des Moines runs below the U.S. average for nanny rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.
Hiring nannies in Des Moines, IA typically costs about 8% more than the Iowa average of $14/hour and 9% less than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | $15/hr | — |
| Iowa | $14/hr | -7% |
| United States | $17/hr | +9% |
Where Des Moines, IA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $12.91/hour in Dubuque to $15.41/hour in Ankeny.
Below: how each compares to the Des Moines, IA average of $15.32/hour — Des Moines, IA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Des Moines, IA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $15.41 | +1% | |
| 2 | Des Moines | $15.32 | — | |
| 3 | Council Bluffs | $15.05 | -2% | |
| 4 | Davenport | $14.83 | -3% | |
| 5 | Sioux City | $14.70 | -4% | |
| 6 | Iowa City | $14.40 | -6% | |
| 7 | Ames | $14.19 | -7% | |
| 8 | Cedar Rapids | $14.18 | -7% | |
| 9 | Cedar Falls | $13.25 | -14% | |
| 10 | Dubuque | $12.91 | -16% |
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?
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a nanny in Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, IA
307 active listings in Des Moines
