Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Los Angeles, CA in 2026?
In Los Angeles, CA, the average babysitter earns about $24.36 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $974/week or $4,222/month. Most Los Angeles families pay somewhere in the $17–$35/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 2,724 live babysitter listings in Los Angeles on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $974
- Monthly
- $4,222
- Annual
- $50,669
Find babysitters near you
What drives the price
Most Los Angeles 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.
Experience
Number of kids
| 1 kid (baseline) | $24.36 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$25.36 |
| 3+ kids | ~$26.36+ |
Hours & 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 babysitter rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $26.15/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $24.62/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $24.38/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $24.66/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 babysitter.
How do Los Angeles babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Los Angeles is one of the more expensive babysitter markets in the country.
Hiring babysitters in Los Angeles, CA typically costs about 9% more than the California average of $22/hour and 30% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $24/hr | — |
| California | $22/hr | -8% |
| United States | $19/hr | -23% |
Where Los Angeles, CA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $18.83/hour in Fresno to $27.70/hour in San Francisco.
Below: how each compares to the Los Angeles, CA average of $24.36/hour — Los Angeles, CA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $27.70 | +14% | |
| 2 | San Jose | $25.01 | +3% | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $24.36 | — | |
| 4 | San Diego | $23.18 | -5% | |
| 5 | Long Beach | $22.05 | -9% | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $20.76 | -15% | |
| 7 | Riverside | $19.73 | -19% | |
| 8 | Stockton | $19.55 | -20% | |
| 9 | Bakersfield | $18.96 | -22% | |
| 10 | Fresno | $18.83 | -23% |
Tips to find a great babysitter without overpaying
- Be flexible on experience. Some of the best babysitters on the platform have 3–5 years on the job and charge meaningfully less than experienced babysitters 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 babysitters 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?
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a babysitter in Los Angeles, CA
Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with babysitters — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:
- 01
Browse babysitter profiles in Los Angeles, CA
Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.
- 02
Message the ones who look like a fit
Reach out to the babysitters 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 babysitter fits with your family in real time.
- 04
Hire your babysitter
If you'd rather not handle taxes and payroll yourself, our payroll team can take care of it.
Available babysitters in Los Angeles, CA
2,724 active listings in Los Angeles
Nanny Jimena
Nanny Jimena
A little bit about me
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Nanny Edie
Nanny Edie
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Certifications
Nanny A
Nanny A
A little bit about me
I also have experience caring for my younger cousin from infancy until age 4, which helped me develop strong patience, attentiveness, and responsibility in daily childcare routines. I enjoy supporting children in what they like, encouraging their creativity, and helping them feel confident while learning and exploring new activities.
I am known for being organized, dependable, and able to work well in team settings. I enjoy creating fun, safe, and structured environments where children can learn and express themselves. I am fluent in Spanish and English, with beginner knowledge of French, and I am always eager to continue learning and growing.
Nanny Kayla
Nanny Kayla
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Amanda
Nanny Amanda
A little bit about me
Certifications
Nanny Jessica
Nanny Jessica
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Nanny Amadee E
Nanny Amadee E
A little bit about me
I'm just moved to Cali a fews ago and recently graduated from The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Marketing with minors in Management Information Systems and Media & Entertainment Studies.
Outside of school, I've worked in various roles including nannying, retail, and customer service — all of which have strengthened my patience, communication skills, and ability to multitask.
I genuinely love being around kids and believe in creating a safe, creative, and nurturing environment for them to grow and have fun. I've cared for children from infancy through middle school, and I'm comfortable with everything from mealtime and bedtime routines to school pick-ups, crafts, and outdoor play.
I'm CPR/First Aid aware, a non-smoker, have my own transportation, and I'm happy to help with light household tasks if needed.