Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a nanny cost in Madison, WI in 2026?
In Madison, WI, the average nanny earns about $19.98 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $799/week or $3,463/month. Most Madison families pay somewhere in the $8–$26/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$19.98/hr · Madison average
These numbers come from 240 live nanny listings in Madison on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $799
- Monthly
- $3,463
- Annual
- $41,558
Find nannies near you
What drives the price
Most Madison families pay somewhere in the $8–$26/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 $18.99/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $21.67/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) | $19.98 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$20.98 |
| 3+ kids | ~$21.98+ |
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 | $21.28/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $19.49/hr | See part-time rates → |
| Live-in | Set by family | $19.89/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 Madison nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
Madison sits close to the national average for nanny rates.
Hiring nannies in Madison, WI typically costs about 13% more than the Wisconsin average of $18/hour and 3% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Madison, WI |
|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | $20/hr | — |
| Wisconsin | $18/hr | -12% |
| United States | $19/hr | -3% |
Where Madison, WI fits among nearby cities
The most expensive city for nannies near Madison, WI is Madison at $19.98/hour; the least expensive is Janesville at $16.58/hour.
Below are the 5 most and 5 least expensive cities near Madison, WI and how each compares to Madison, WI's average of $19.98/hour.
Most expensive cities near Madison, WI
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Madison, WI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison | $19.98 | — | |
| 2 | Waukesha | $18.47 | -8% | |
| 3 | Milwaukee | $18.14 | -9% | |
| 4 | Kenosha | $17.93 | -10% | |
| 5 | Appleton | $17.62 | -12% |
Least expensive cities near Madison, WI
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Madison, WI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Janesville | $16.58 | -17% | |
| 2 | Eau Claire | $17.08 | -15% | |
| 3 | Green Bay | $17.22 | -14% | |
| 4 | Racine | $17.23 | -14% | |
| 5 | La Crosse | $17.30 | -13% |
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 Madison, 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:
- 01
Browse nanny profiles in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI
240 active listings in Madison
Nanny Mattea
Nanny Mattea
Madison, WI
$22 - $30/hr
Full-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I have worked with kids most of my life and love being able to help out a family. I love doing arts and crafts, spending time outside, baking, and more!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Amy
Nanny Amy
Madison, WI
$18 - $25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
I have always loved taking care of kids. Babysitting was my first job at 12-years-old and I have been helping watch other's kids ever since. I took a break from my nanny job when I had my own two daughters. Now that they are both in school, I'm looking to get back into a job I know I'll enjoy. I know CPR and First Aid, despite not being certified. I have studied many different techniques to help with child care, including positive parenting courses, emotional regulation tips, and the like. I am I especially enjoy playing with your child(ren), going to explore parks and nature, chauffeuring, and helping with educational activities.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Saquria
Nanny Saquria
Madison, WI
$20/hr
Part-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
My name is saquria burrell I am a student at Madison college studying education. Previously this year I graduated Lakeside Lutheran High school and right now I am working for Acumen clts care for children. A fun fact about me is I love to read and I love the color pink.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Sophie
Nanny Sophie
Madison, WI
$20 - $30/hr
Full-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
I am an enthusiastic student looking to stay connected to childcare while I pursue a degree. I love making connections, and being able to influence the little ones! I've worked as a camp counselor and after school program aide these past two years, working with 20+ kids at a time. I hope to be able to connect more with one family with a nanny position!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Anika
Nanny Anika
Madison, WI
$20 - $25/hr
Part-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
I am an energetic 22 year old that just graduated college! I love being outside, hanging out with kids, and I love airplanes! I am working on being a pilot currently but am waiting for future dates for training.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Carmen
Nanny Carmen
Madison, WI
$20 - $30/hr
Part-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
My name is Carmen Clayborn.
I have over 10 years of professional experience in the childcare field, working with children from infancy through school age. In addition, I have more than 15 years of babysitting experience caring for children ranging from infants to 14 years old.
Throughout my career, I have developed a strong passion for supporting children’s growth, learning, and overall well-being in safe, nurturing, and engaging environments. I am dependable, patient, and committed to providing high-quality care tailored to each child’s individual needs.
I am currently seeking nanny and babysitting opportunities where I can utilize my experience, dedication, and love for working with children to make a positive impact on families.
I have over 10 years of professional experience in the childcare field, working with children from infancy through school age. In addition, I have more than 15 years of babysitting experience caring for children ranging from infants to 14 years old.
Throughout my career, I have developed a strong passion for supporting children’s growth, learning, and overall well-being in safe, nurturing, and engaging environments. I am dependable, patient, and committed to providing high-quality care tailored to each child’s individual needs.
I am currently seeking nanny and babysitting opportunities where I can utilize my experience, dedication, and love for working with children to make a positive impact on families.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Mairin
Nanny Mairin
Madison, WI
$19/hr
Full-time
Part-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
I am about to turn 19 years old, I love kids and meeting new families. I have been babysitting for different families for years. I go to UW- Lacrosse, and will be a sophomore there in the fall.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Quinlan
Nanny Quinlan
Madison, WI
$20/hr
Full-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
I just graduated high school and am looking to help a family during the summer before I leave for college!
Have experience working with
Infants
Nanny Natalya
Nanny Natalya
Madison, WI
$18.28 - $30.12/hr
Full-time
7 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi!, i'm a reliable and caring nanny with experience as a "babysitter\nanny" for family and friends for the past 10 years! as well as experience as a cashier and server which have helped me build very strong communicational and multitasking skills. I love working with children,staying organized and creating a fun and safe environment. I am very patient, loving, responsible and positive. as someone who grew up with a single mother of 5, and me being the oldest and having to step up a lot and help my mother who worked evening-night shifts, it definitely gave me a really big understanding on not only learning patience and responsibility and maturity from a very young age, but also helped me also understand the importance of trust and communication and so this is why I say with a big heart and open arms I am more than willing to help anyone in need! especially in today's current world wide situations I strongly believe we all need to help one another. 🫶
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Related costs in Madison WI
Other services in Madison, WI
After-School Nannies • Bilingual Nannies • Full-Time Nannies • Housekeeper Nannies • House Manager/Nannies • Infant Care • Live-In Nannies • Nannies for Twins • Part-Time Nannies • Short-Term Nannies • Spanish-Speaking Nannies • Special Needs Child Care • Summer Nannies • Toddler Care • Traveling Nannies • Weekend Nannies