Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a nanny cost in Helena, MT in 2026?
In Helena, MT, the average nanny earns about $16.19 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $648/week or $2,806/month. Most Helena families pay somewhere in the $11–$20/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$16.19/hr · Helena average
These numbers come from 52 live nanny listings in Helena on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $648
- Monthly
- $2,806
- Annual
- $33,675
Find nannies near you
What drives the price
Most Helena families pay somewhere in the $11–$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
| 1 kid (baseline) | $16.19 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$17.19 |
| 3+ kids | ~$18.19+ |
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 | $17.32/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $16.62/hr | See part-time 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.
How do Helena nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
Helena sits close to the national average for nanny rates.
Hiring nannies in Helena, MT typically costs about 5% less than the Montana average of $17/hour and 3% less than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Helena, MT |
|---|---|---|
| Helena, MT | $16/hr | — |
| Montana | $17/hr | +5% |
| United States | $17/hr | +4% |
Where Helena, MT fits among nearby cities
8 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $14.47/hour in Butte to $21.46/hour in Whitefish.
Below: how each compares to the Helena, MT average of $16.19/hour — Helena, MT is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Helena, MT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whitefish | $21.46 | +33% | |
| 2 | Bozeman | $18.56 | +15% | |
| 3 | Kalispell | $18.02 | +11% | |
| 4 | Missoula | $17.00 | +5% | |
| 5 | Helena | $16.19 | — | |
| 6 | Billings | $15.82 | -2% | |
| 7 | Great Falls | $15.15 | -6% | |
| 8 | Butte | $14.47 | -11% |
● Most expensive nearby: Whitefish ($21.46)● Least expensive nearby: Butte ($14.47)
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 Helena, MT
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 Helena, MT
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 Helena, MT
52 active listings in Helena
Nanny Cade
Nanny Cade
Helena, MT
$16/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I'm Cadence but I also go by Cade. I am 26 years old and have grown up in Montana since the age of 6. I have a 7 month old daughter which is my first born. I have always loved kids from a really young age. I love crafting and finding finding projects that align with the child's age and promote development. I love to be outdoors, whether it is a walk, backyard play, or parks.
My experience with children-
My experience started with my little sister that was born when I was 12 years old(12 year age gap). I helped a lot with taking care of her and watching her grow. I also worked in a childcare center for about a year. My other experience is staying at home with my own daughter for 7 months.
My experience with children-
My experience started with my little sister that was born when I was 12 years old(12 year age gap). I helped a lot with taking care of her and watching her grow. I also worked in a childcare center for about a year. My other experience is staying at home with my own daughter for 7 months.
Have experience working with
Infants
Nanny Carlee
Nanny Carlee
Helena, MT
$16/hr
Full-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Carlee and I am looking for a family to nanny from now through summer! I graduated in 24 and went to college at BYUI in pre-nursing, then paused college to serve a mission. I am home now and want to find a family I can support and love!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Isabella
Nanny Isabella
Helena, MT
$16/hr
Part-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
I am a college student working towards my nursing degree. I work hours at another job, but would love to have a part time job working as a nanny. I have 2 years of experience nannying for two children, but I have babysat infants and I love caring for babies! I am CPR certified as well.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Alex
Nanny Alex
Helena, MT
$17/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I have a history in healthcare working as a CNA for 6 years while getting a degree in Dental Hygiene. I am currently a Registered Dental Hygienist who is taking time off to raise my newest baby he is almost 3mo. I also have a 7yo daughter who is in school full time. I am looking for another kiddo or baby to care for during the day!
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Lillian
Nanny Lillian
Helena, MT
$17/hr
Part-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi I’m Lillian, I am a junior in high-school. 16 years old and I am looking for a job working with young kids. I have been cpr and first aid certified through the school and have worked with kids before. I prefer to work with infants and young children.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Kendall
Nanny Kendall
Helena, MT
$15/hr
Part-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
I’m a 14 year old girl looking to babysit kids for some extra money, I grew up with 3 other siblings and that includes 2 younger siblings 6 and 7 years apart from me. I play volleyball and lacrosse and love spending time with kids and seeing smiles on their faces. I’m pretty good at school and I love teaching kids new skills and helping them with school work if they need the help.
Nanny Shelby
Nanny Shelby
Helena, MT
$15/hr
Full-time
5 years experience
A little bit about me
I have worked as a Nanny for over 2 years for a family in Missoula. Before that I worked for a daycare while attending college. I have my degree in elementary education and am moving to Helena at the beginning of August 2024 and would love to find a family that needs me.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Chloe
Nanny Chloe
Helena, MT
$15/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I am 17 years old and my favorite color is blue. I love being outdoors and in nature. I play girls flag football and I love being around kids and learning new things about them. I love putting a smile on their face as it puts one on mine as well. I am willing to do any classes recommended to me to help benefit my child care experience. This is a first time experience for me other than watching my family and friends children. I have house sat for a family when they go out of town, and I also take care of their pets. I am willing to do anything for the families including, crafts, car rides, grocery shopping, light house keeping, laundry, and pet care.
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Therese
Nanny Therese
Helena, MT
$15/hr
Part-time
7 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi There! My name is Therese and I moved to Helena 2 years ago. I am one of 7 children and grew up babysitting. I am looking for part time job to do on the side and would love to help a family in our community! Feel free to reach out with more questions.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid