Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a nanny cost in Wdm, IA in 2026?
In Wdm, IA, the average nanny earns about $17.93 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $717/week or $3,108/month. Most Wdm families pay somewhere in the $12–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$17.93/hr · Wdm average
These numbers come from 26 live nanny listings in Wdm on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $717
- Monthly
- $3,108
- Annual
- $37,294
Find nannies near you
What drives the price
Most Wdm families pay somewhere in the $12–$25/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) | $17.93 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$18.93 |
| 3+ kids | ~$19.93+ |
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.
How do Wdm nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
Wdm runs below the U.S. average for nanny rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.
Hiring nannies in Wdm, IA typically costs about 11% more than the Iowa average of $16/hour and 8% less than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Wdm, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Wdm, IA | $18/hr | — |
| Iowa | $16/hr | -10% |
| United States | $19/hr | +8% |
Where Wdm, 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 Wdm, IA average of $17.93/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Wdm, IA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Des Moines | $18.37 | +2% | |
| 2 | Des Moines | $17.41 | -3% | |
| 3 | Davenport | $17.12 | -5% | |
| 4 | Ankeny | $17.05 | -5% | |
| 5 | Waukee | $16.90 | -6% | |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids | $16.53 | -8% | |
| 7 | Sioux City | $16.18 | -10% | |
| 8 | Iowa City | $15.99 | -11% | |
| 9 | Ames | $15.34 | -14% | |
| 10 | Cedar Falls | $14.76 | -18% |
● 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 Wdm, 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 Wdm, 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 Wdm, IA
26 active listings in Wdm
Nanny Megan
Nanny Megan
Wdm, IA
$17/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I am 22 years old with a bachelor's degree in Biology and another in Psychology. I am working my way through graduate school where I am pursuing a master's in social work. Ultimately I want to work with children in the foster care system who have dealt with abuse and neglect. Through middle school and high school babysitting was my frequent job. Before college I nannied 3 children for the summer. They were two boys aged 11 and 8 and a 4-year-old girl. We did activities like the water park, zoo, beaches, and parks every month. We also kept up with their school skills. Fun times indoors range anywhere from building a fort on a rainy day to making play dough and slime. Last summer after graduation I decided to spend it with my nephews. They were 5 and 6 months. I grew up with a wonderful nanny who I have great memories with. It makes me happy knowing I can be that person for other kids. I also have experience as a professional tutor with children from 4 years old to college students.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Gabby
Nanny Gabby
Wdm, IA
$18/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I’m a 19 year old who recently moved back to Des Moines to be closer to family. I have 6 siblings and have been watching younger relatives since I can remember. I am a Certified Nurses Assistant and planning to go to school to teach elementary. I love babies and kids and have no problem teaching, taking kids to activities, cleaning, cooking, having fun, and overall taking great care of your children.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Ella
Nanny Ella
Wdm, IA
$17/hr
Part-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
I will be a senior at UNI this coming year. I am majoring in elementary with minors in special education and endorsements in middle school science and english.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Lily
Nanny Lily
Wdm, IA
$19/hr
Full-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
I am a young woman who grew up taking care of my siblings because our parents worked all the time. I love kids cooking cleaning and doing fun stuff with kids. In my free time I enjoy reading and painting and doing my college school work.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Carlena
Nanny Carlena
Wdm, IA
$19/hr
Full-time
9 years experience
A little bit about me
I am a 30 yr old single mother, of a 10 and 8 yr old. I have been in the childcare field for 9 years. My passion is caring for children and helping them along on their journey through childhood in a fun and educational way! I'm creative, engage with the kids, and love creating new connections with families! I am CPR/First Aid Certified. I love the outdoors, art, reading, singing, puzzles, games, and so much more!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Lilia
Nanny Lilia
Wdm, IA
$16/hr
Part-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
My name is Lilia I am 17 years old and looking for nannying jobs in my first year of college after this summer as I will be doing community college. I love kids and have babysat different families since I was 12. I would be available after my classes on week days and weekends if needed.
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Kaitlin
Nanny Kaitlin
Wdm, IA
$16/hr
Full-time
6 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello! My name is Kaitlin and I have been a public school educator for 6 years. I’ve worked with all kids from every background, ethnicity, and verbal/physical abilities. I’ve worked primarily with kids aged 8-11 but I have also taught Kindergarten-5th for 2 years making me versatile and adaptable in meeting all needs at different ages. I have also had the privilege of working with students who are special needs and require an accommodated classroom. I am a huge Iowa State fan and love to do anything outdoors! I also love arts and crafts, board games, and pets.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Bailey
Nanny Bailey
Wdm, IA
$20/hr
Part-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
I’m an experienced nanny and early childhood educator with 5 years classroom experience and over 10 years of childcare experience.
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Zoe
Nanny Zoe
Wdm, IA
$20/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hi, my name is Zoe! I have over 8 years of experience working with children, primarily in childcare centers, and I’ve also had the pleasure of babysitting for many families over the years. I’m also a mom to a lively 2-year-old, which gives me a personal understanding of the joys and challenges of raising little ones. I truly love working with kids and take pride in creating a nurturing, safe, and fun environment where they can explore, learn, and grow. My approach is patient, caring, and attentive, making sure each child feels seen and supported. I enjoy planning activities that spark creativity, curiosity, and social skills, and I love watching children discover new things every day. Building trusting relationships with families and helping kids thrive is what drives me every day.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid