Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a nanny cost in Gary, IN in 2026?

In Gary, IN, the average nanny earns about $13.45 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $538/week or $2,331/month. Most Gary families pay somewhere in the $8–$20/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$13.45/hr · Gary average

These numbers come from 79 live nanny listings in Gary on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$538
$2,331
$27,976

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What drives the price

Most Gary families pay somewhere in the $8–$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)$13.45
2 kids~$14.45
3+ kids~$15.45+

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.

Full-time, part-time, and live-in nanny rates

ArrangementTypical hoursAverage rate
Full-time35–50 hrs/week$14.17/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$13.64/hr
Live-inSet by family$13.36/hr

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 arrangements look cheaper per hour because room and board are part of the package. The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the nanny.

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

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

Hiring nannies in Gary, IN typically costs about 5% less than the Indiana average of $14/hour and 20% less than the United States average of $17/hour.

Average hourly nannies rates compared across Gary, IN and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Gary, IN
Gary, IN$13/hr
Indiana$14/hr+5%
United States$17/hr+25%

Where Gary, IN fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $12.12/hour in Terre Haute to $17.26/hour in Carmel.

Below: how each compares to the Gary, IN average of $13.45/hour.

Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate

10 cities near Gary, IN ranked by average hourly nanny rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Gary, IN
1Carmel$17.26+28%
2Fishers$15.91+18%
3Indianapolis$15.36+14%
4South Bend$14.79+10%
5Bloomington$14.40+7%
6Fort Wayne$14.12+5%
7Lafayette$13.87+3%
8Evansville$13.61+1%
9Muncie$12.37-8%
10Terre Haute$12.12-10%
Most expensive nearby: Carmel ($17.26) Least expensive nearby: Terre Haute ($12.12)

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 Gary, IN

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 Gary, IN

    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 Gary, IN

79 active listings in Gary

La'Jai E. - Seeking Work in Gary

Nanny La'Jai

Gary, IN
$14/hr
Full-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is La’Jai. Most people just call me Jai. I am a senior high school student. I look forward to going to college for early childhood education and development once I graduate and in the future I plan on opening and running my own daycare.

Have experience working with

Infants
Katherine K. - Seeking Work in Gary

Nanny Katherine

Gary, IN
$14/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello, I was a stay at home mom for years looking for part time work in caring for children as I’m well equipped and experienced in caring and taking care of children and a home.

Certification

CPR
Victoria J. - Seeking Work in Gary

Nanny Victoria

Gary, IN
$14/hr
Full-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hey my name is Victoria Johnson I was born and raised in Chicago Illinois I moved to Gary Indiana and Alison love working with kids love to cook clean do my job as needed I’m 27 years old my birthday September 7th
Aniyah M. - Seeking Work in Gary

Nanny Aniyah

Gary, IN
$13/hr
Full-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

hi, i’m aniyah! i have been a babysitter for about 3 years now, and have worked with ages from 6months and up! i love to do creative activities and anything educational. i am looking for a full time preferably, but i’m okay with part time as well!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certification

CPR
Tenia L. - Seeking Work in Gary

Nanny Tenia

Gary, IN
$14/hr
Part-time
4 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is tenía and I currently work a fast food job which im trying to get out of, so im willing to quit my job and be your babysitter full time! Im still in highschool. I have previous babysitting experience. I can bathe, meal prep, teach, play and etc with children! I believe in childrens core memories so i try to do everything thats fun thats also SAFE! I have a high patience so i would never yell at your child, or ever put my hands on them. I do believe in censoring myself (language) infront of children so inappropriate language will not be a worry. I love kids and i actually would like to work with them when i get older. Im in highschool with no license and i do have reliable transportation. my prices are negotiable depending on amount of kids. i prefer payments thru cashapp. (just a fyi my mom will want to meet you as im 16) if interested, please text my ph[phone number hidden] or email me [email hidden]. Thank you!

Have experience working with

Infants
Jenna C. - Seeking Work in Gary

Nanny Jenna

Gary, IN
$13/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello my name is Jenna. I am a mother myself and love children. I am very interactive with children, love teaching them new things, playing with them also. I also enjoy cooking.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
DaMoeniaye W. - Seeking Work in Gary

Nanny DaMoeniaye

Gary, IN
$13/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I am a mother of 1 and have one on the way. My one child is 3 years old. I love children and have always wanted to become a nanny/babysitter. I enjoy all age children because each age comes with something special. Children are amazing and I believe children can teach you a lot. I’m hoping that with a Nanny job I will be able to save enough to move out of my mom place and get a place of my own. Being trusted to care for your child(ren) while you are away means everything to me and I look forward to working with you.

Certification

First Aid
Jake H. - Seeking Work in Gary

Nanny Jake

Gary, IN
$13/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I'm a 37 yr old mother I have 5 kids of my own 1 with ADHD and a learning disability. my youngest is 11 I'm licenced I home health aide, and cpr I love helping I love animals I don't drive but I'm willing to walk.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Brooke H. - Seeking Work in Gary

Nanny Brooke

Gary, IN
$12/hr
Part-time
8 years experience

A little bit about me

I’m a 20 year old college student. I am
trustworthy, honest, and dependable. I can handle light housework, cooking, and I’m always willing to help where needed.

Have experience working with

Infants
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