Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a nanny cost in Amherst, MA in 2026?

In Amherst, MA, the average nanny earns about $20.73 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $829/week or $3,593/month. Most Amherst families pay somewhere in the $15–$27/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$20.73/hr · Amherst average

These numbers come from 32 live nanny listings in Amherst on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$829
$3,593
$43,118

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What drives the price

Most Amherst families pay somewhere in the $15–$27/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)$20.73
2 kids~$21.73
3+ kids~$22.73+

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 Amherst nanny rates compare to state and national averages?

Amherst runs above the U.S. average for nanny rates, in line with most major metros.

Hiring nannies in Amherst, MA typically costs about 12% less than the Massachusetts average of $24/hour and 7% more than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly nannies rates compared across Amherst, MA and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Amherst, MA
Amherst, MA$21/hr—
Massachusetts$24/hr+13%
United States$19/hr-6%

Where Amherst, MA fits among nearby cities

The most expensive city for nannies near Amherst, MA is Boston at $24.88/hour; the least expensive is Fall River at $18.80/hour.

Below are the 6 most and 6 least expensive cities near Amherst, MA and how each compares to Amherst, MA's average of $20.73/hour.

Most expensive cities near Amherst, MA

Top 6 most expensive cities near Amherst, MA for hiring a nanny, ranked by average hourly rate.
#City$/hrvs. Amherst, MA
1Boston$24.88+20%
2Framingham$23.69+14%
3Salem$23.62+14%
4Revere$23.61+14%
5Nantucket$23.41+13%
6Plymouth$23.30+12%

Least expensive cities near Amherst, MA

Top 6 least expensive cities near Amherst, MA for hiring a nanny, ranked by average hourly rate.
#City$/hrvs. Amherst, MA
1Fall River$18.80-9%
2Springfield$19.11-8%
3New Bedford$19.69-5%
4Brockton$20.90+1%
5Worcester$21.69+5%
6Lowell$21.98+6%

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 Amherst, MA

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 Amherst, MA

    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 Amherst, MA

32 active listings in Amherst

Talina K. - Seeking Work in Amherst

Nanny Talina

Amherst, MA
$25 - $28/hr
Part-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Talina, and I’m a senior at UMass Amherst studying Legal Studies! I’ve been working with kids for the past five and a half years at Life Time Fitness, where I care for children ages 3 months to 12 years old. After a couple of years, I was promoted to Kids Supervisor, taking on more responsibilities and gaining valuable experience.

I’m CPR certified, have my own car, and a clean driving record. I’ve also built great relationships with families through babysitting outside of daycare. I love creating a fun, safe environment for kids and am happy to help with light household chores!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Karma G. - Seeking Work in Amherst

Nanny Karma

Amherst, MA
$20/hr
Full-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Karma and I'm a student at Amherst College. Art is my passion, I've been painting since I was eight years old. I like working with children because it gives me a sense of home. I have nine siblings so growing up I often cared for my siblings, now that I'm away in college I'd just like to share the love and patience.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Teya N. - Seeking Work in Amherst

Nanny Teya

Amherst, MA
$20/hr
Part-time
7 years experience

A little bit about me

I have worked as a teachers assistant in various preschools in the Amherst area since 2019 with ages ranging from 1 year to 5 years old. I have also worked as a nanny for newborn age- 2 years old. Some of my favorite hobbies are reading, journaling and spending time outdoors! My goals as a childcare specialist are to create a caring, comfortable and safe environment for all children and to usher their blossoming potential!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Colleen M. - Seeking Work in Amherst

Nanny Colleen

Amherst, MA
$20/hr
Part-time
8 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello my name is Colleen. I am twenty one years old. I have about 7 years of babysitting and have worked with a wide range of ages. I am looking to babysit/nanny over the summer.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Emily D. - Seeking Work in Amherst

Nanny Emily

Amherst, MA
$20/hr
Part-time
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I'm Emily, and I am in my senior year of college at UMass Amherst. I have much experience with kids through babysitting, working as a camp counselor, tutoring, and an internship with Autistic children. I would love some occasional babysitting hours or if you are looking for a different part-time job let me know!

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Haley M. - Seeking Work in Amherst

Nanny Haley

Amherst, MA
$22/hr
Part-time
8 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Haley McLaughlin, and I recently graduated from UMass Amherst this past fall. I will be returning to the Amherst area for the spring semester while completing an online interior design program, and I was excited to see your childcare posting on the UMass job board.
I have over eight years of childcare experience and currently nanny for a family with three children (ages 3, 8, and 16). This includes living in house with the children while the parents go away for 7+ day time periods while they go on vacation. I also have extensive experience caring for toddlers and young children. I am very comfortable supporting daily routines such as meals, diaper changes, outdoor play, walks, and nap transitions.

I would be more than happy to provide references or additional information.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration. I would love the opportunity to connect further and see if I might be a good fit for your family.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Shani H. - Seeking Work in Amherst

Nanny Shani

Amherst, MA
$19/hr
Part-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is Shani (Shuh-nye). I am a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst studying early education. I am originally from a city a little bit outside of boston.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Ava L. - Seeking Work in Amherst

Nanny Ava

Amherst, MA
$20/hr
Part-time
4 years experience

A little bit about me

I am a current senior at UMass Amherst majoring in Psychology!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Marielle K. - Seeking Work in Amherst

Nanny Marielle

Amherst, MA
$22 - $30/hr
Part-time
7 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Marielle, and I am a junior at UMass Amherst! I love kids and have been babysitting for over seven years and have younger siblings!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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