Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a part-time nanny cost in Illinois in 2026?

In Illinois, the average part-time nanny earns about $17.25 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $690/week or $2,990/month. Rates across Illinois fall in the $15–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$17.25/hr · Illinois average

These numbers come from 6,217 live part-time nanny listings in Illinois on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$690
$2,990
$35,880

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What drives the price

Across Illinois, part-time nannies rates fall in the $15–$25/hour range. Where a family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.


01

Experience

More experienced part-time nannys command higher rates. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $16.93/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $20.21/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)$17.25
2 kids~$18.25
3+ kids~$19.25+

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 part-time nanny rates

ArrangementTypical hoursAverage rate
Full-time35–50 hrs/week$20.62/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$17.74/hr
Live-inSet by family$17.86/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 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 Illinois part-time nanny rates compare to the national average?

Illinois sits close to the national average for part-time nanny rates. Specific cities can run higher or lower — major metros typically command a premium, while smaller towns tend to be more affordable.

Hiring part-time nannies in Illinois typically costs about 5% more than the United States average of $16/hour.

Average hourly part-time nannies rates compared across Illinois and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Illinois
Illinois$17/hr
United States$16/hr-5%

Where part-time nannies cost most and least in Illinois

7 cities have enough part-time nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $15.89/hour in Peoria to $18.22/hour in Chicago.

Below: how each compares to the Illinois state average of $17.25/hour.

Nearby cities ranked by part-time nanny rate

7 cities in Illinois ranked by average hourly part-time nanny rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Illinois
1Chicago$18.22+6%
2Naperville$17.85+3%
3Aurora$16.71-3%
4Rockford$16.33-5%
5Springfield$16.25-6%
6Champaign$16.11-7%
7Peoria$15.89-8%
Most expensive nearby: Chicago ($18.22) Least expensive nearby: Peoria ($15.89)

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 Illinois

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:

  1. 01

    Browse part-time nanny profiles in Illinois

    Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.

  2. 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.

  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 part-time nanny fits with your family in real time.

  4. 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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