Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a nanny cost in St. Louis, MO in 2026?
In St. Louis, MO, the average nanny earns about $18.73 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $749/week or $3,247/month. Most St. Louis families pay somewhere in the $14–$28/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$18.73/hr · St. Louis average
These numbers come from 187 live nanny listings in St. Louis on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $749
- Monthly
- $3,247
- Annual
- $38,958
Find nannies near you
What drives the price
Most St. Louis families pay somewhere in the $14–$28/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 $17.83/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $21.84/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) | $18.73 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$19.73 |
| 3+ kids | ~$20.73+ |
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
| 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 | $19.97/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $18.82/hr | See part-time rates → |
| Live-in | Set by family | $18.25/hr | See live-in rates → |
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.
How do St. Louis nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
St. Louis sits close to the national average for nanny rates.
Hiring nannies in St. Louis, MO typically costs about 6% more than the Missouri average of $18/hour and 3% less than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO | $19/hr | — |
| Missouri | $18/hr | -6% |
| United States | $19/hr | +3% |
Where St. Louis, MO fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $16.15/hour in Joplin to $19.44/hour in St. Peters.
Below: how each compares to the St. Louis, MO average of $18.73/hour — St. Louis, MO is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. St. Louis, MO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Peters | $19.44 | +4% | |
| 2 | Kansas City | $19.04 | +2% | |
| 3 | St. Louis | $18.73 | — | |
| 4 | Saint Charles | $18.41 | -2% | |
| 5 | Wentzville | $18.33 | -2% | |
| 6 | Lee's Summit | $17.75 | -5% | |
| 7 | Columbia | $17.29 | -8% | |
| 8 | Independence | $17.03 | -9% | |
| 9 | Springfield | $16.37 | -13% | |
| 10 | Joplin | $16.15 | -14% |
● Most expensive nearby: St. Peters ($19.44)● Least expensive nearby: Joplin ($16.15)
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 St. Louis, MO
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 St. Louis, MO
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 St. Louis, MO
187 active listings in St. Louis
Nanny Nariah
Nanny Nariah
St. Louis, MO
$18/hr
Full-time
Part-time
1 year experience
A little bit about me
With about 5 years in childcare I love kids and always have. I have graduated high school and will be starting college in December to be a pediatric nurse!! I just had my own baby 2 months ago. The baby stage is my favorite but I love all the kids and want to have fun with them and get to build new relationships with the kids!
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Zoe
Nanny Zoe
St. Louis, MO
$18 - $24/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I'm 32 years old with a varied work background, seeking part-time childcare work. I do not have professional experience in this field, but I regularly babysit for my friends' toddler and I love being around kids! I feel very in touch with my 'inner child' and can play easily. I care deeply about treating children as individual human beings with their own needs and desires. In my free time I enjoy camping, hiking, cooking, playing music, languages (I speak some Spanish and a little Greek), road trips, walking with my dog Willow, and playing parlor and word games with friends.
P.S. I prefer not to post my face or full name publicly, but I can absolutely send those things upon request!
P.S. I prefer not to post my face or full name publicly, but I can absolutely send those things upon request!
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Emma
Nanny Emma
St. Louis, MO
$18/hr
Full-time
8 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi my name is Emma Edwards, I am 18 years old and I graduated from high school in May 2026. I am the oldest in my family and I have always been around kids. I have been babysitting since I was 10 or 11 years old. I love being able to play with kids, and I love being able to help each child I watch grow and become an amazing child!
Have experience working with
Infants
Nanny Madeline
Nanny Madeline
St. Louis, MO
$18/hr
Full-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hey! my name is Madeline I just moved to St.Louis from Jackson Ms. I love working with children and i have a lot of experince doing so. I have 5 younger siblings and have worked in childcare previously. Im super easy-going and level headed. I started my education at the University of Mississippi and plan on finishing it here in St.Louis and then applying for nursing school to get my RN.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Maurlesha
Nanny Maurlesha
St. Louis, MO
$15/hr
Full-time
1 year experience
A little bit about me
Babysitter Introduction
Hello! My name is Maurlesha. I’m a responsible, patient, and dependable person with experience caring for children of different ages. I’ve helped take care of my siblings from ages 2–17, which has taught me how to be attentive, understanding, and responsible when it comes to children.
I take childcare seriously and understand the importance of keeping children safe, comfortable, and well cared for. I’m willing to come to your home, or you’re welcome to bring your child to me. I’m also happy to meet with you beforehand so we can get to know each other and make sure you feel comfortable with me caring for your child.
Although I don’t currently have a driver’s license, I’m reliable and willing to work with you to make arrangements that work for everyone.
Hello! My name is Maurlesha. I’m a responsible, patient, and dependable person with experience caring for children of different ages. I’ve helped take care of my siblings from ages 2–17, which has taught me how to be attentive, understanding, and responsible when it comes to children.
I take childcare seriously and understand the importance of keeping children safe, comfortable, and well cared for. I’m willing to come to your home, or you’re welcome to bring your child to me. I’m also happy to meet with you beforehand so we can get to know each other and make sure you feel comfortable with me caring for your child.
Although I don’t currently have a driver’s license, I’m reliable and willing to work with you to make arrangements that work for everyone.
Nanny Alyssa
Nanny Alyssa
St. Louis, MO
$23 - $26/hr
Part-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
I have a bachelors degree in educational studies, I have worked for special school district, and have been a registered behavior technician. I currently work in Kirkwood School District as part time. I work until 4 PM at Kirkwood. I do know some sign language and would like to go back to school to become a sign language translator.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certification
CPR
Nanny Haley
Nanny Haley
St. Louis, MO
$20 - $35/hr
Full-time
6 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello! I’m Haley :)
The most fulfilling part of my life is helping little ones learn and grow. I have over 6 years of childcare experience and would love to work as a team with you and your family!
The most fulfilling part of my life is helping little ones learn and grow. I have over 6 years of childcare experience and would love to work as a team with you and your family!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Jay’la
Nanny Jay’la
St. Louis, MO
$19 - $22/hr
Full-time
Part-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Caring for children and supporting their growth is my passion. With five years of childcare experience caring for children ages 1–3 and 12+, I provide a patient, dependable, and nurturing environment where children can learn, play, and thrive.
I enjoy engaging children through arts and crafts, outdoor activities, educational games, and hands-on learning. I am also happy to assist with meal preparation and light housekeeping to support busy families.
Safety is my top priority. I am CPR and First Aid certified and committed to providing attentive, reliable care. I respect each family's routines and values and believe clear communication helps build trust. I strive to keep parents informed through regular updates and open communication.
I take pride in being a kind, creative, and professional caregiver and look forward to helping your children grow and succeed.
I enjoy engaging children through arts and crafts, outdoor activities, educational games, and hands-on learning. I am also happy to assist with meal preparation and light housekeeping to support busy families.
Safety is my top priority. I am CPR and First Aid certified and committed to providing attentive, reliable care. I respect each family's routines and values and believe clear communication helps build trust. I strive to keep parents informed through regular updates and open communication.
I take pride in being a kind, creative, and professional caregiver and look forward to helping your children grow and succeed.
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Samantha
Nanny Samantha
St. Louis, MO
$16 - $25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Samantha Rickman and I am 18 years old and just graduated from Villa Duchesne High School. I will be attending the University of Kentucky next year to study nursing. I have 4+ years of working with children ages 5 months- 12 years. I love kids and and am looking to help out wherever I can to take the load off a parents busy schedule. I am more than willing to take care of animals, tidy up the house, pick up kids from practice, and even food prepping and cooking meals!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid