Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a nanny cost in La Crosse, WI in 2026?

In La Crosse, WI, the average nanny earns about $15.16 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $606/week or $2,628/month. Most La Crosse families pay somewhere in the $9–$20/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$15.16/hr · La Crosse average

These numbers come from 195 live nanny listings in La Crosse on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$606
$2,628
$31,533

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What drives the price

Most La Crosse families pay somewhere in the $9–$20/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 $14.52/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $16.33/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
Hourly rate by number of kids
1 kid (baseline)$15.16
2 kids~$16.16
3+ kids~$17.16+

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$16.17/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$14.68/hr
Live-inSet by family$15.11/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.

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.

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How do La Crosse nanny rates compare to state and national averages?

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

Hiring nannies in La Crosse, WI typically costs about the same as the Wisconsin average of $15/hour and 10% less than the United States average of $17/hour.

Average hourly nannies rates compared across La Crosse, WI and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. La Crosse, WI
La Crosse, WI$15/hr
Wisconsin$15/hr0%
United States$17/hr+11%

Where La Crosse, WI fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $14.25/hour in Wausau to $17.84/hour in Madison.

Below: how each compares to the La Crosse, WI average of $15.16/hour — La Crosse, WI is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate

10 cities near La Crosse, WI ranked by average hourly nanny rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. La Crosse, WI
1Madison$17.84+18%
2Kenosha$15.53+2%
3Milwaukee$15.39+2%
La Crosse$15.16
5Green Bay$14.75-3%
6Eau Claire$14.67-3%
7Appleton$14.62-4%
8Oshkosh$14.54-4%
9Racine$14.31-6%
10Wausau$14.25-6%
Most expensive nearby: Madison ($17.84) Least expensive nearby: Wausau ($14.25)

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 La Crosse, WI

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 La Crosse, WI

    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 La Crosse, WI

195 active listings in La Crosse

Sydney R. - Seeking Work in La Crosse

Nanny Sydney

La Crosse, WI
$16 - $20/hr
Part-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hey! My name is Sydney and I’m a senior at UWL. I enjoy being active and being outside as much as I can. I love hanging out with kiddos and pets if you have them! Please reach out if you are in need of care :)

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Aubrey F. - Seeking Work in La Crosse

Nanny Aubrey

La Crosse, WI
$15 - $22/hr
Full-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I’m a student at Western Tech studying Early Education. I love the outdoors, baking, and reading! I’ve been working with kids from ages 3 months - 7 years old for about 2.5 years. I currently work at a nursery/ day care in La Crosse.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Grace L. - Seeking Work in La Crosse

Nanny Grace

La Crosse, WI
$15/hr
Part-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I’m an active, reliable nanny who loves staying engaged through sports, outdoor play, and roadtrip adventures. I have meaningful experience working with children on the autism spectrum, and I prioritize patience, clear communication, and creating a safe, comfortable environment for every child. I enjoy building routines, supporting learning, and bringing positive energy to each day. I’m excited to help your family with care that’s dependable, encouraging, and fun.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Grace P. - Seeking Work in La Crosse

Nanny Grace

La Crosse, WI
$15/hr
Part-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Grace Pearson. I am currently a freshman in college at UW-La Crosse and I am looking for a part time job! I could do any shift before 11 on any day and then after 3:40 on any day! I love working with kids and I am currently a psych major in hopes of being a child psychologist!:)

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Serenity R. - Seeking Work in La Crosse

Nanny Serenity

La Crosse, WI
$15/hr
Part-time
8 years experience

A little bit about me

Hey parents/Guardians,

I'm Serenity a 19-year-old who currently studying at Western Technical College. I have worked with children for a while and in the past year I was a nanny to two beautiful girls age 4 and 6. I also got experience working at a Montessori daycare in Viroqua, WI. I am very passionate in making children feel emotionally safe and supported. I have experience in both Waldorf, Montessori, and Gentle Parenting styles. I think children should be given plenty of times outdoors and home cooked Organic meals. The youngest child I have experience with is 5-months and the oldest is 13. I don't currently have a car, but I have a bike and a bus pass. I'm also available to be a part-time live-in nanny on the weekends and love taking children out to the park, grocery store, restaurants, etc. Do you have any questions? Please don't hesitate to reach out. I have a very flexible schedule all afternoons and evenings of the week! Hope to hear from you soon.

Serenity Rasch

Have experience working with

Infants
Reagan K. - Seeking Work in La Crosse

Nanny Reagan

La Crosse, WI
$15/hr
Part-time
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Reagan. I have been a nanny for 4 years back in my hometown. The family I nanny for has 5 children ages 4 months to 12 years old. I am familiar working with kids that have disabilities as one of my nanny kids is completely blind.
I am looking for a nanny job while I am going to school in La Crosse to become a Pediatric Physical Therapy Assistant.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Grace A. - Seeking Work in La Crosse

Nanny Grace

La Crosse, WI
$15/hr
Part-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I’m Grace! I am a senior at UWL going into the field of physical therapy. I love working with kids of all ages and am ready to keep up with your high energy little ones! I have taught swim lessons for 5 years, and have experience teaching summer school and working as a special education paraprofessional. I also work in a hospital back home, so I have my CPR and first aide certifications up to date!

In my free time I love hiking and doing triathlons, as well as playing with my family’s dogs- so if you have a pup I am ready to give them some love too!

My classes start later in the day, so it would be perfect to find a family who needs help getting kiddos ready for school each morning, but I am open to help however you need :)

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Bri Z. - Seeking Work in La Crosse

Nanny Bri

La Crosse, WI
$15/hr
Part-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I have been babysitting since I was twelve years old. I have worked at a daycare for about two years and I have worked with special needs kids for two years. Whenever there is an opportunity to watch children, I volunteer myself. I love seeing kids grow and learn!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Elli E. - Seeking Work in La Crosse

Nanny Elli

La Crosse, WI
$15/hr
Part-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I'm Elli and I'm from the Lake Geneva area! I go to the University of Wisconsin La Crosse and am home for the summer looking for a babysitting/nanny job! I have experience babysitting my neighbors and cousins ages ranging from 5 to 11!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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