Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a part-time nanny cost in Santa Barbara, CA in 2026?
In Santa Barbara, CA, the average part-time nanny earns about $24.22 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $969/week or $4,198/month. Most Santa Barbara families pay somewhere in the $17–$35/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$24.22/hr · Santa Barbara average
These numbers come from 101 live part-time nanny listings in Santa Barbara on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $969
- Monthly
- $4,198
- Annual
- $50,378
Find part-time nannies near you
What drives the price
Most Santa Barbara families pay somewhere in the $17–$35/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 part-time 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
| 1 kid (baseline) | $24.22 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$25.22 |
| 3+ kids | ~$26.22+ |
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.
How do Santa Barbara part-time nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
Santa Barbara is one of the more expensive part-time nanny markets in the country.
Hiring part-time nannies in Santa Barbara, CA typically costs about 11% more than the California average of $22/hour and 28% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara, CA | $24/hr | — |
| California | $22/hr | -10% |
| United States | $19/hr | -22% |
Where Santa Barbara, CA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough part-time nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $18.75/hour in Fresno to $27.50/hour in San Francisco.
Below: how each compares to the Santa Barbara, CA average of $24.22/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by part-time nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Santa Barbara, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $27.50 | +14% | |
| 2 | San Jose | $24.75 | +2% | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $24.40 | +1% | |
| 4 | San Diego | $23.44 | -3% | |
| 5 | Long Beach | $22.11 | -9% | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $20.54 | -15% | |
| 7 | Riverside | $19.86 | -18% | |
| 8 | Stockton | $19.70 | -19% | |
| 9 | Bakersfield | $18.98 | -22% | |
| 10 | Fresno | $18.75 | -23% |
● Most expensive nearby: San Francisco ($27.50)● Least expensive nearby: Fresno ($18.75)
Tips to find a great part-time nanny without overpaying
- Be flexible on experience. Some of the best part-time nannies on the platform have 3–5 years on the job and charge meaningfully less than experienced part-time 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 part-time 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 part-time nanny in Santa Barbara, CA
Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with part-time nannies — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:
- 01
Browse part-time nanny profiles in Santa Barbara, CA
Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.
- 02
Message the ones who look like a fit
Reach out to the part-time 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 part-time nanny fits with your family in real time.
- 04
Hire your part-time nanny
If you'd rather not handle taxes and payroll yourself, our payroll team can take care of it.
Available part-time nannies in Santa Barbara, CA
101 active listings in Santa Barbara
Nanny Alexandra
Nanny Alexandra
Santa Barbara, CA
$25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hello! My passion throughout my life has been with children. I grew up helping with the neighborhood children and the childcare at my church. As soon as I turned 13 years old, I was babysitting around the neighborhood and the rest is history. During my time at SBCC, I was a manger at Natural Cafe and later became a Montessori Teacher's Assistant in Goleta. When I got into CSUN, I moved to Northridge and continued to be a caretaker for families, working with children ages 1-16 years old. After I got my bachelor degree in Deaf Studies (I am fluent in American Sign Language), I was a preschool teacher for 6 years at a Montessori in Calabasas. During this time I was also a travel nanny in the summer for some of the families at the school. Now I am back home in Santa Barbara and looking forward to helping families any way I can! I am happy to cook, clean, do laundry, tutor, entertain, take care of pets, make lunches for the next day, etc. I am excited to connect with you!
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Recent reference
"Alexandra has been an incredible part of our family for four years, caring for our two boys from ages two and four to six and eight. From diapers and toddler days to the needs of bigger kids, she has been patient, loving, and attentive through every stage.
She is always on time, dependable, and someone we trust completely. We’ve brought her on family vacations, and knowing our boys are in her care gives us such peace of mind. She is sweet, caring, and always has their best interests at heart. Her teaching background shines through in the way she helps them learn and grow.
Alexandra brings so much more than supervision - she brings warmth, encouragement, and love. We absolutely love her and are grateful for the care she has given our boys. We wholeheartedly recommend her to any family lucky enough to work with her!
As parents, finding someone you can count on and who truly cares about your children is everything. Alexandra has been that person for us for the past four years!"
- Scott
Nanny Ryane
Nanny Ryane
Santa Barbara, CA
$35 - $40/hr
Full-time
Part-time
7 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi, I’m Ryane! I was born and raised in San Diego. I’m an SDSU graduate with a B.A. in Theatre Arts Performance and Communication. I have several years of childcare experience, including private nannying, six years of recurring babysitting for the same family, and most recently working as an academic coach with high school students. I’m responsible, caring, creative, and love building genuine relationships with the kids I work with. I’m currently looking for a long-term family in the San Diego, Santa Barbara, or Los Angeles area as I transition toward living and working in the LA/Santa Barbara area. I also love dogs, cats, and animals of all kinds and am very happy to have pets as part of the household!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Josie
Nanny Josie
Santa Barbara, CA
$25/hr
Part-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
I’m from Arizona but attend Westmont College during the school year! I am studying kinesiology and planning on going to nursing school. I have lots of experience with nannying and love hanging out with kids!!
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Sage
Nanny Sage
Santa Barbara, CA
$25/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hello my name is Sage! I am an 18-year-old freshman at Santa Barbara City College looking for an after-school nanny/assistant position to help earn money for college. I’m upbeat, positive, and always up for having fun! Whether it’s helping with homework, playing sports, or getting creative with arts and crafts, I’m happy to be there and make sure the kids have a great time. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions!!
Nanny Janine
Nanny Janine
Santa Barbara, CA
$28 - $35/hr
Full-time
Part-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
I am a recently retired kindergarten teacher with extensive experience working with children. I'm seeking an infant/toddler/TK/K nanny position in Santa Barbara. I am also the grandmother of a 7-month-old granddaughter and am specifically interested in a family open to a nanny-share arrangement where I could care for both children together.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Larissa
Nanny Larissa
Santa Barbara, CA
$45 - $55/hr
Part-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
I am a career nanny with over 20 years of experience. Infant care specialist. I have dedicated my life to helping families with their young children. My caregiving philosophy is RIE, a respectful approach while raising children. I have experience working in full staff homes, ROTA positions experience, now I only wish to work part time as I have other projects I’m working on.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Makayla
Nanny Makayla
Santa Barbara, CA
$19 - $27/hr
Part-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi, I’m Makayla! I’m 17 years old and the middle child of two brothers which has taught me to be very adaptable and handle different personalities. I have been babysitting for about 5 years which has given me lots of experience with different ages. I play volleyball which keeps me active and energetic, and I also enjoy cooking, so I’d love to help with meals or snacks! I have been working for over a year at Rori's Creamery which has given me lots of experience with people and organization. I love being with kids and enjoy creating a fun and engaging activities that everyone can enjoy. I’m responsible, patient, and always aim to provide a positive and safe environment.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Tressa
Nanny Tressa
Santa Barbara, CA
$20 - $26/hr
Part-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello! My name is Tressa ONeill, I am a current student at Santa Barbara City College working towards an associates degree in Early Childhood Education. I love working with children I find the most important part of childcare to be communicating with children at their level in order to foster comfortability and voice in children I work with/care for.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Juliet
Nanny Juliet
Santa Barbara, CA
$25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I am currently a student at Westmont college and am graduating fall 2026! I am staying in Carpinteria after school, and am hoping to find a full time nanny job:) I love kids, and have spent much time babysitting, volunteering at my church’s kids ministry, and working at summer camp with toddlers!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid