Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a nanny cost in Waltham, MA in 2026?
In Waltham, MA, the average nanny earns about $22.26 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $890/week or $3,858/month. Most Waltham families pay somewhere in the $15–$30/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$22.26/hr · Waltham average
These numbers come from 94 live nanny listings in Waltham on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $890
- Monthly
- $3,858
- Annual
- $46,301
Find nannies near you
What drives the price
Most Waltham families pay somewhere in the $15–$30/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.
01
Experience
More experienced nannys command higher rates. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $20.63/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $25.53/hour.
Avg hourly rate by years of experience
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) | $22.26 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$23.26 |
| 3+ kids | ~$24.26+ |
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.
Full-time, part-time, and live-in nanny rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $22.69/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $23.07/hr | See part-time 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.
How do Waltham nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
Waltham is one of the more expensive nanny markets in the country.
Hiring nannies in Waltham, MA typically costs about 7% more than the Massachusetts average of $21/hour and 33% more than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Waltham, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Waltham, MA | $22/hr | — |
| Massachusetts | $21/hr | -6% |
| United States | $17/hr | -25% |
Where Waltham, MA fits among nearby cities
The most expensive city for nannies near Waltham, MA is Newton at $23.17/hour; the least expensive is Springfield at $17.56/hour.
Below are the 8 most and 8 least expensive cities near Waltham, MA and how each compares to Waltham, MA's average of $22.26/hour.
Most expensive cities near Waltham, MA
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Waltham, MA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newton | $23.17 | +4% | |
| 2 | Framingham | $22.63 | +2% | |
| 3 | Arlington | $21.61 | -3% | |
| 4 | Brookline | $21.42 | -4% | |
| 5 | Cambridge | $21.32 | -4% | |
| 6 | Boston | $21.13 | -5% | |
| 7 | Medford | $20.99 | -6% | |
| 8 | Natick | $20.66 | -7% |
Least expensive cities near Waltham, MA
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Waltham, MA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Springfield | $17.56 | -21% | |
| 2 | Worcester | $18.19 | -18% | |
| 3 | Quincy | $19.41 | -13% | |
| 4 | Woburn | $19.62 | -12% | |
| 5 | Weymouth | $19.74 | -11% | |
| 6 | WalthamThis city | $20.11 | -10% | |
| 7 | Malden | $20.15 | -9% | |
| 8 | Watertown | $20.26 | -9% |
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 Waltham, 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:
- 01
Browse nanny profiles in Waltham, MA
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 Waltham, MA
94 active listings in Waltham
Nanny Iasmin
Nanny Iasmin
Waltham, MA
$22.45/hr
Full-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hey, my name is Iasmin, I'm 23 years old, I grew up taking care of my brothers, I have a great affection for children, I do my job with love and dedication.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Jessica
Nanny Jessica
Waltham, MA
$23/hr
Part-time
8 years experience
A little bit about me
My name is Jess and I am looking to get back into nannying! I went a different career route and miss interacting and holding sweet babies:) I am hoping to find a great family with young kids, part time but may consider full time for the right fit. I have many years of experience with babies, toddlers, and preschool aged kids.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Marti
Nanny Marti
Waltham, MA
$23/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
am a college graduate with a degree in communications. I also play on the USA Women’s National baseball team. I have been part of the National team since 2008. I have used my sports background to help teach and guide kids in the right direction. I have worked with kids at several summer camps, sports camps, tutoring and coaching. Over the last 8 months I have helped kids with remote learning, homework, and school pickups. I have done light house keeping and driving kids to after school activities. To keep the kids on track with grades I have set up weekly check ins with their teachers. This system helps the student keep them on track. I am very flexible with my hours and can adapt to all responsibilities that a family needs.
Nanny Lais
Nanny Lais
Waltham, MA
$23/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hello families,
I’m Brazilian so you can expect a lovely, calm and easy going nanny 😊 .
Let’s chat and see if we could be a great fit for each other.
I’m Brazilian so you can expect a lovely, calm and easy going nanny 😊 .
Let’s chat and see if we could be a great fit for each other.
Certification
CPR
Nanny Tyra
Nanny Tyra
Waltham, MA
$23/hr
Full-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
My name is Tyra I am 21 years old. I attended waltham high school. At the moment I’m a Junior at Fisher College in downtown Boston. I’m very interested in children even as a kid myself. I’m willing to help any family is who is willing to accept me. I enjoy doing fun activities and the other stuff with the kids. | have experience as a teacher, nanny, babysitting and child monitor. I am CPR certified with a clean driving record, I also have Massachusetts driver's license and I have a car. I’m very outgoing and would love an opportunity to help. I’ve worked and volunteered my times, which I’ve very experienced. Like the YMCA and Boys and Girls club, also babysitting in general. My schedule is very flexible so I’m open for any opportunities this summer.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Laina
Nanny Laina
Waltham, MA
$22/hr
Part-time
7 years experience
A little bit about me
I am a tri-lingual language teacher fluent in English, French and Greek. I love to have fun, sing, dance and read books. I am very interactive with children and I let them develop their personality and become individuals. I work hard to engender confidence, honesty and integrity in children. I also am very sensitive to those who need extra attention or are shy. I work with toddlers or older as I do not have experience with infants.
Nanny Jade
Nanny Jade
Waltham, MA
$24/hr
Part-time
5 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi my name is Jade! I’m a fun, loving, energetic experienced person who loves to take care of kids. I’m currently taking early education to get my degree in teaching, I love to be outside and running around with the kids as much as possible. Taking care of kids has always been the highlight of my life and I hope that I can bring joy to your child and even your family while I am working for you.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certification
First Aid
Nanny Katie
Nanny Katie
Waltham, MA
$23/hr
Full-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
I have a strong passion for working with children and helping them grow, learn, and reach their full potential. I am 20 years old and have worked in a childcare center for over two years, along with several years of babysitting experience. Through these experiences, I have developed patience, creativity, and strong communication skills when working with children of different ages. I enjoy planning engaging activities, encouraging learning through play, and spending time outdoors with children. Creating a safe, supportive, and fun environment where children feel comfortable to explore and develop is something I truly love.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Amelia
Nanny Amelia
Waltham, MA
$22/hr
Part-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I’m a reliable and caring nanny who loves creating a safe, fun, and supportive environment for kids. I enjoy helping with daily routines, playtime, and learning, and I’m dedicated to making each day positive and engaging!
Certifications
CPR
First Aid