Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated October 2026

How much does a part-time nanny cost in Chicago, IL in 2026?

In Chicago, IL, the average part-time nanny earns about $20.80 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $832/week or $3,605/month. Most Chicago families pay somewhere in the $15–$30/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$20.80/hr · Chicago average

These numbers come from 395 live part-time nanny listings in Chicago on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

Weekly (40 hrs): $832
Monthly: $3,605
Annual: $43,264

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What drives the price

Most Chicago families pay somewhere in the $15–$30/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.

Experience

More experienced part-time nannys command higher rates. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $19.73/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $23.60/hour.

Avg hourly rate by years of experience

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)	$20.80
2 kids	~$21.80
3+ kids	~$22.80+

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 part-time nanny rates

Arrangement	Typical hours	Average rate
Part-time	10–25 hrs/week	$21.15/hr	See part-time rates →
Live-in	Set by family	$20.24/hr	See live-in rates →

Live-in arrangements look cheaper per hour because room and board are part of the package. The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the part-time nanny.

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How do Chicago part-time nanny rates compare to state and national averages?

Chicago runs above the U.S. average for part-time nanny rates, in line with most major metros.

Hiring part-time nannies in Chicago, IL typically costs about 10% more than the Illinois average of $19/hour and 13% more than the United States average of $18/hour.

Average hourly part-time nannies rates compared across Chicago, IL and reference areas.
Area	Average hourly rate	vs. Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL	$21/hr	—
Illinois	$19/hr	-9%
United States	$18/hr	-11%

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.

Learn more about nanny sharing

How families use Nanny Lane to find a part-time nanny in Chicago, IL

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 Chicago, IL
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.

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