Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a nanny cost in Waukee, IA in 2026?

In Waukee, IA, the average nanny earns about $16.90 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $676/week or $2,929/month. Most Waukee families pay somewhere in the $10–$20/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$16.90/hr · Waukee average

These numbers come from 44 live nanny listings in Waukee on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$676
$2,929
$35,152

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What drives the price

Most Waukee families pay somewhere in the $10–$20/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)$16.90
2 kids~$17.90
3+ kids~$18.90+

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.

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

Waukee runs below the U.S. average for nanny rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.

Hiring nannies in Waukee, IA typically costs about 5% more than the Iowa average of $16/hour and 13% less than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly nannies rates compared across Waukee, IA and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Waukee, IA
Waukee, IA$17/hr—
Iowa$16/hr-5%
United States$19/hr+15%

Where Waukee, 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 Waukee, IA average of $16.90/hour — Waukee, IA is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate

10 cities near Waukee, IA ranked by average hourly nanny rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Waukee, IA
1West Des Moines$18.37+9%
2Des Moines$17.41+3%
3Davenport$17.12+1%
4Ankeny$17.05+1%
Waukee$16.90—
6Cedar Rapids$16.53-2%
7Sioux City$16.18-4%
8Iowa City$15.99-5%
9Ames$15.34-9%
10Cedar Falls$14.76-13%
● 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.
Learn more about nanny sharing

How families use Nanny Lane to find a nanny in Waukee, 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:

  1. 01

    Browse nanny profiles in Waukee, IA

    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 Waukee, IA

44 active listings in Waukee

Dominique G. - Seeking Work in Waukee

Nanny Dominique

Waukee, IA
$16 - $17/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I’m Dominique! I’m a loving wife, proud mama to my daughter Faith, and a passionate childcare provider with 15 years of experience caring for children of all ages. Creating a safe, nurturing, and fun environment for little ones has always been something close to my heart. I love helping children learn, grow, and feel loved while giving families peace of mind knowing their children are in caring hands. Family means everything to me, and I strive to bring patience, kindness, creativity, and warmth into everything I do each day.

I’m currently offering summer care with a fun, safe, and engaging environment where kids can enjoy activities, make memories, and feel right at home throughout the summer months!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Josefine B. - Seeking Work in Waukee

Nanny Josefine

Waukee, IA
$16/hr
Part-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Josefine bockari 17 years old
I want to go to college for nursing and business
I love kids i think they are the sweetest minus the tantrums lol
I know how to cook and clean and would be very helpful

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Marvella A. - Seeking Work in Waukee

Nanny Marvella

Waukee, IA
$16.50/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Freshman in College, oldest of 5, less than a year of professional experience but have volunteered in churches and community groups for 2 years.
I am an energetic individual with a background in volleyball, track, and tennis.
I am very adaptable and will find a way to work with your family’s needs.
Evy K. - Seeking Work in Waukee

Nanny Evy

Waukee, IA
$14 - $16/hr
Part-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is Evy! I am 17 years old and I have 2 years of childcare experience working with children from any age range of 1 month to 10+ years old, including special needs children. I go to Waukee High school and I participate in Varsity Soccer and I like to take pictures for the other sporting events in my free time!

I used to volunteer for Lutheran Church of Hope during their VBS bible camp through the One Body program. I have a flexible schedule during the summer and I want to stay as active as i can, and as busy as possible!

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Sidney L. - Seeking Work in Waukee

Nanny Sidney

Waukee, IA
$17/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I am a 16 year old, living in Waukee. I am so excited to become a nanny, working with kids, and being involved with them! I would be able to do part-time during the school year and full-time in the summer!

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Riley Y. - Seeking Work in Waukee

Nanny Riley

Waukee, IA
$17/hr
Full-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I'm a caring and responsible nanny with three years of experience working with children of all ages. I'm passionate about creating a fun, safe, and stimulating environment where kids can learn and grow. I love planning engaging activities like arts and crafts, outdoor play, and reading. I'm excited about the opportunity to become a part of your family and provide the best possible care for your children!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Quinleigh G. - Seeking Work in Waukee

Nanny Quinleigh

Waukee, IA
$18/hr
Part-time
9 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Quinleigh, and I’m 24 years old. I’m in my last year of college, and I have had almost 10 years of experience with children! I’ve done everything, including babysitting, nannying, live-in-nannying, housekeeping, etc. I love working with younger children especially and have a heart for caring for families as a whole! I believe a nanny is more than just a babysitter. Nannies bring an added aspect of care in not just your children’s lives but in your home as well, whether that’s doing laundry, dishes, running errands, letting pets out, meal prep, etc. I love all things homemaking and believe that as a nanny, I should be proactive in helping in these ways!

Have experience working with

Infants
Celina N. - Seeking Work in Waukee

Nanny Celina

Waukee, IA
$18/hr
Full-time
Part-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi I’m Celina! I’m a fun, responsible nanny who truly enjoys spending time with kids. I love doing crafts, playing outside, reading stories, and helping with daily routines. I’m patient, attentive, and always aim to make kids feel comfortable and cared for.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Adalynne B. - Seeking Work in Waukee

Nanny Adalynne

Waukee, IA
$18/hr
Part-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I'm Adalynne, I am 18 years old! I bring a youthful energy and a strong sense of responsibility to nannying. I understand the importance of creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for children. I'm committed to following instructions carefully, being punctual, and communicating effectively with parents. I am great with kids, I have lots of experience of babysitting all ages and having 3 sisters!! I'm excited about the opportunity to provide your family with reliable and caring childcare. I am CPR certified and First-Aid certified as well!!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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