Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a nanny cost in Philadelphia, PA in 2026?
In Philadelphia, PA, the average nanny earns about $17.04 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $682/week or $2,954/month. Most Philadelphia families pay somewhere in the $7–$26/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 1,793 live nanny listings in Philadelphia on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $682
- Monthly
- $2,954
- Annual
- $35,443
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What drives the price
Most Philadelphia families pay somewhere in the $7–$26/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.
Experience
Number of kids
| 1 kid (baseline) | $17.04 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$18.04 |
| 3+ kids | ~$19.04+ |
Hours & 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
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $18.37/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $17.38/hr | See part-time rates → |
| Live-in | Set by family | $18.07/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 rates are close to live-out here — but the package usually still includes room and board, so the all-in cost can be lower than it appears. The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the nanny.
How do Philadelphia nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
Philadelphia sits close to the national average for nanny rates.
Hiring nannies in Philadelphia, PA typically costs about 7% more than the Pennsylvania average of $16/hour and 2% more than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | $17/hr | — |
| Pennsylvania | $16/hr | -6% |
| United States | $17/hr | -2% |
Where Philadelphia, PA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $14.27/hour in Erie to $17.17/hour in Pittsburgh.
Below: how each compares to the Philadelphia, PA average of $17.04/hour — Philadelphia, PA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Philadelphia, PA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsburgh | $17.17 | +1% | |
| 2 | PhiladelphiaThis city | $17.04 | — | |
| 3 | State College | $15.60 | -8% | |
| 4 | York | $15.29 | -10% | |
| 5 | Allentown | $15.27 | -10% | |
| 6 | Harrisburg | $15.10 | -11% | |
| 7 | Lancaster | $14.95 | -12% | |
| 8 | Scranton | $14.85 | -13% | |
| 9 | Reading | $14.75 | -13% | |
| 10 | Erie | $14.27 | -16% |
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?
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a nanny in Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia, PA
1,793 active listings in Philadelphia
Nanny Nakiranijae
Nanny Nakiranijae
A little bit about me
I have worked with children from age range new born-17 years of age.
I live in the Philadelphia area
I have open availability and reliable transportation
I am experienced with autistic, down syndrome, and IDD children and adults
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Asiyyah
Nanny Asiyyah
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Jahniyyah
Nanny Jahniyyah
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Jaelin
Nanny Jaelin
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Elena
Nanny Elena
A little bit about me
Last year I worked in a Daycare
With children of 1 to 3 years old
I feel very blessed to work with them.
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Lisa
Nanny Lisa
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Zaniyah
Nanny Zaniyah
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Yericka
Nanny Yericka
A little bit about me
I have a lot of experience working with children. I’ve worked at a daycare before, and I’ve been taking care of kids since I was about 11 years old, starting with my little cousin. Ever since then, I’ve always loved being around children and helping take care of them. I’m patient, responsible, and I really enjoy creating a safe and fun environment for kids. I truly love working with children and would be excited to help support a family as a nanny.