Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a nanny cost in Bellingham, WA in 2026?
In Bellingham, WA, the average nanny earns about $21.02 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $841/week or $3,643/month. Most Bellingham families pay somewhere in the $17–$29/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$21.02/hr · Bellingham average
These numbers come from 124 live nanny listings in Bellingham on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $841
- Monthly
- $3,643
- Annual
- $43,722
Find nannies near you
What drives the price
Most Bellingham families pay somewhere in the $17–$29/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 $20.50/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $23.34/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) | $21.02 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$22.02 |
| 3+ kids | ~$23.02+ |
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 | $22.21/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $21.24/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 Bellingham nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
Bellingham runs above the U.S. average for nanny rates, in line with most major metros.
Hiring nannies in Bellingham, WA typically costs about 1% less than the Washington average of $21/hour and 11% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Bellingham, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | $21/hr | — |
| Washington | $21/hr | +1% |
| United States | $19/hr | -10% |
Where Bellingham, WA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $18.60/hour in Kennewick to $25.83/hour in Seattle.
Below: how each compares to the Bellingham, WA average of $21.02/hour — Bellingham, WA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Bellingham, WA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | $25.83 | +23% | |
| 2 | Everett | $23.01 | +9% | |
| 3 | Auburn | $22.05 | +5% | |
| 4 | Puyallup | $21.15 | +1% | |
| 5 | Bellingham | $21.02 | — | |
| 6 | Tacoma | $20.53 | -2% | |
| 7 | Vancouver | $20.40 | -3% | |
| 8 | Olympia | $20.18 | -4% | |
| 9 | Spokane | $19.64 | -7% | |
| 10 | Kennewick | $18.60 | -12% |
● Most expensive nearby: Seattle ($25.83)● Least expensive nearby: Kennewick ($18.60)
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 Bellingham, WA
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 Bellingham, WA
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 Bellingham, WA
124 active listings in Bellingham
Nanny Emma
Nanny Emma
Bellingham, WA
$21/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hello! My name is Emma, I am 20 years old and currently working on my degree in childhood education! I look forward to getting to know you and your family!
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Maura
Nanny Maura
Bellingham, WA
$19 - $25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
I've worked at an early learning center for two consecutive summers. I spent most of my time in the preschool room, often acting as lead teacher. I'm currently entering my senior year at Woodring college of education (WWU) working on my degree in early childhood education.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Ava
Nanny Ava
Bellingham, WA
$17 - $21/hr
Full-time
Part-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello Families!
My name is Ava Geracie. I am a student at Western Washington University, where I am majoring in education. I work part-time at Dancing For Joy Dance Studio in Bellingham, where I teach classes weekly for ages 4-10. I have ample experience babysitting/ nannying for various different ages, and I would love to be of help to your family!!
My name is Ava Geracie. I am a student at Western Washington University, where I am majoring in education. I work part-time at Dancing For Joy Dance Studio in Bellingham, where I teach classes weekly for ages 4-10. I have ample experience babysitting/ nannying for various different ages, and I would love to be of help to your family!!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Robyn
Nanny Robyn
Bellingham, WA
$21/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hello, My names Catherine but I go by Robyn. I spent much of my High School years watching my two brothers after school. During the pandemic I ended up helping them a lot with homework. I am confident in tutoring up through Algebra 2, Biology, Grade 12 history, and Grade 11 English. I grew up cooking for a family of 5-7 of various ages appealing to their tastes and dietary needs. More recently I have helped my friends several times watch over their middle school aged kids. I am passionate about inspiring children to learn and explore.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Kyah
Nanny Kyah
Bellingham, WA
$22/hr
Part-time
6 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I’ve been a nanny and late night babysitter for about 6 years. I started out watching my cousins and have moved on to nanny for other families. I really love to do arts and crafts and fun adventures!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Monique
Nanny Monique
Bellingham, WA
$21/hr
Part-time
6 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello! My name is Monique, and I am a nurturing and responsible nanny with a lifetime of experience including three grown children of my own. I bring the perfect blend of maturity, patience, and warmth to support families and help children grow in a safe, loving environment.
I've worked with children of all ages. Most recently I worked as a nanny for a military family with a newborn and toddler until they recently transferred.
I've worked with children of all ages. Most recently I worked as a nanny for a military family with a newborn and toddler until they recently transferred.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Recent reference
"Monique was our saving grace during a really busy challenging time for our family. She took initiative and made everything go smoothly in our home taking care of our son and daughter. She provided emotional and intellectual support for our children through fun activities and games. She truly became part of our family. She saw safety improvements that could be made around our home and made them. She loved our children as her own and we are so grateful for her! Monique communicated scheduling needs well in advance and helped us when we needed help outside of usual hours. I have full confidence in recommending Monique for any childcare needs!"
- Aleah
Nanny Meredith
Nanny Meredith
Bellingham, WA
$22/hr
Full-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I am a senior in college studying psychology. I was previously working as a registered behavior technician, where I gained experience with individuals with ASD. Before that I worked as a part time mural artist as well as a volunteer at several local elementary schools. Fun fact about me is that I play the clarinet, and I’m currently learning the guitar! I’m a very active person. I love to keep the kiddos I work with moving and grooving. I could see myself being a great fit for a group of homeschool kiddos, individuals with ASD or just an active family looking for an extra set of hands. Really, I’d like to think I can do it all ;)
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certification
CPR
Nanny Domonique
Nanny Domonique
Bellingham, WA
Active Now
$25 - $30/hr
Full-time
9 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi there! My name is Domonique but most people just call me Moki! I have over 11 years of experience starting at the age of 10. I would watch employees children at my parents business while they were working, anywhere from 4 months to 9 years old over the years. I've had several families from my church and other connections that I have babysat for and built strong and long-lasting relationships with all of the families. I was a nanny and homemaker for a family when I was 19, caring for their special needs child 5 days a week. I also worked a short-term live-in nanny job for two children during the pandemic. As well as two other nanny positions over the last two years for varying ages. I'm extremely hardworking and personable, as meeting your children where they are at is the most important! I hope to nurture your children and family values as well as provide a safe warmhearted environment!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Recent reference
"Moki is extremely hardworking, friendly, reliable, and kind. She was wonderful with our child and took excellent care of the home. She was very friendly and we were happy to have her taking care of our son and managing our home. I highly recommend her for any role, she is very capable."
- Jordan
Nanny Sophia
Nanny Sophia
Bellingham, WA
$22/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I’m Sophia! As a young adult and college graduate, I have had several years of experience working with children, in both formal teaching settings and being employed as a babysitter over the past 9 years.
I also recently finished nannying for a family with children between the ages of 3 and 5 years, and I am dedicated to the safety and enjoyment of the children under my care.
I also recently finished nannying for a family with children between the ages of 3 and 5 years, and I am dedicated to the safety and enjoyment of the children under my care.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid