Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a nanny cost in Harrisonburg, VA in 2026?

In Harrisonburg, VA, the average nanny earns about $16.79 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $672/week or $2,910/month. Most Harrisonburg families pay somewhere in the $12–$22/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$16.79/hr · Harrisonburg average

These numbers come from 71 live nanny listings in Harrisonburg on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$672
$2,910
$34,923

Find nannies near you

What drives the price

Most Harrisonburg families pay somewhere in the $12–$22/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)$16.79
2 kids~$17.79
3+ kids~$18.79+

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.

Full-time, part-time, and live-in nanny rates

ArrangementTypical hoursAverage rate
Full-time35–50 hrs/week$17.64/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$16.78/hr

Part-time runs slightly lower per hour than full-time here, which often means strong full-time demand supports higher rates for committed schedules.

Browse nannies

How do Harrisonburg nanny rates compare to state and national averages?

Harrisonburg runs below the U.S. average for nanny rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.

Hiring nannies in Harrisonburg, VA typically costs about 14% less than the Virginia average of $19/hour and 13% less than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly nannies rates compared across Harrisonburg, VA and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Harrisonburg, VA
Harrisonburg, VA$17/hr—
Virginia$19/hr+16%
United States$19/hr+16%

Where Harrisonburg, VA fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $16.81/hour in Lynchburg to $22.99/hour in Arlington.

Below: how each compares to the Harrisonburg, VA average of $16.79/hour.

Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate

10 cities near Harrisonburg, VA ranked by average hourly nanny rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Harrisonburg, VA
1Arlington$22.99+37%
2Alexandria$21.84+30%
3Charlottesville$20.65+23%
4Richmond$19.59+17%
5Woodbridge$19.56+16%
6Virginia Beach$18.41+10%
7Fredericksburg$18.23+9%
8Norfolk$18.18+8%
9Chesapeake$18.05+8%
10Lynchburg$16.81—
● Most expensive nearby: Arlington ($22.99)● Least expensive nearby: Lynchburg ($16.81)

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 Harrisonburg, VA

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 Harrisonburg, VA

    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 Harrisonburg, VA

71 active listings in Harrisonburg

Caitlin M. - Seeking Work in Harrisonburg

Nanny Caitlin

Harrisonburg, VA
$16/hr
Part-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I am a recent JMU graduate with a master's degree in speech-language pathology looking for a part-time nannying job while I build my caseload as a speech therapist at Adagio House. I have experience working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in a daycare setting, and I have worked with children of all ages as a speech therapist.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Yasminnn R. - Seeking Work in Harrisonburg

Nanny Yasminnn

Harrisonburg, VA
$18 - $25/hr
Full-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hey i am yasmin. I love music, video games and movies. I am an RBT (registered behavioral technician) and i have been taking care of kids since i was 18. I volunteered at a daycare center and love working with kids.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Rachel F. - Seeking Work in Harrisonburg

Nanny Rachel

Harrisonburg, VA
$17 - $22/hr
Part-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

I am currently a Junior Elementary Education major at James Madison University. I am looking to babysit/nanny a few days a week.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Britney G. - Seeking Work in Harrisonburg

Nanny Britney

Harrisonburg, VA
$20 - $25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Britney, and I am currently looking for a nanny position. I truly love working with children and enjoy creating a safe, fun, and nurturing environment where they can learn and grow. I am reliable, motivated, patient, and dedicated to providing excellent care. I would love the opportunity to support your family and help your children thrive. Thank you for your consideration!
Paige C. - Seeking Work in Harrisonburg

Nanny Paige

Harrisonburg, VA
$16/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Paige Corbett, I am a rising Junior at James Madison University studying nursing who is 20 years old. I am located in Linwood but can work in any surrounding town. I am looking for a summer babysitting/nanny position during the day. I love kids and have a lot of experience watching my younger cousins ranging from 16 years old to 3 years old. I have reliable transportation and love being with kids!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Juliette N. - Seeking Work in Harrisonburg

Nanny Juliette

Harrisonburg, VA
$16/hr
Full-time
Part-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

My name is Juliette, Im taking online classes for esthetitian and also looking for another great job to do.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Alexes M. - Seeking Work in Harrisonburg

Nanny Alexes

Harrisonburg, VA
$16.15/hr
Full-time
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I’m Alexis. I love children. I am 19 right now. I am looking to watch kids. I do not have a vehicle right now. Do you have any questions? Feel free to ask

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Erin C. - Seeking Work in Harrisonburg

Nanny Erin

Harrisonburg, VA
$19 - $35/hr
Full-time
6 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I'm Erin, I've worked with kids for over 8 years now and I love it! I I have worked at a daycare for 6 years with ages Infant - 5 years! I enjoy reading and being outside! But, I also love movies and rainy days! I have loved working with kids and helping them grow as tiny humans!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Lilly G. - Seeking Work in Harrisonburg

Nanny Lilly

Harrisonburg, VA
$16/hr
Part-time
7 years experience

A little bit about me

I truly enjoy working with children, and being a positive role model for them. I am looking to help more families that are in need of childcare. As a current sophomore at James Madison University, I am a part of the Honors College, Best Buddies Club, and Greek Life. I pride myself on my positive attitude, time management, patience, problem solving skills, reliability, and kindness!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Find Nannies Near Me

Related costs in Harrisonburg VA

Popular services in Harrisonburg, VA

Start your journey towards finding your perfect nanny

Get Started