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.

Average hourly rate$24.36/hr · Los Angeles average

These numbers come from 2,724 live babysitter listings in Los Angeles on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$974
$4,222
$50,669

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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.


01

Experience

More experienced babysitters command higher rates. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $22.94/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $27.75/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)$24.36
2 kids~$25.36
3+ kids~$26.36+

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 babysitter rates

ArrangementTypical hoursAverage rate
Full-time35–50 hrs/week$26.15/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$24.62/hr
Occasional5–15 hrs/week$24.38/hr
Live-inSet 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.

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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.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Los Angeles, CA and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. 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

10 cities near Los Angeles, CA ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Los Angeles, CA
1San Francisco$27.70+14%
2San Jose$25.01+3%
Los Angeles$24.36
4San Diego$23.18-5%
5Long Beach$22.05-9%
6Sacramento$20.76-15%
7Riverside$19.73-19%
8Stockton$19.55-20%
9Bakersfield$18.96-22%
10Fresno$18.83-23%
Most expensive nearby: San Francisco ($27.70) Least expensive nearby: Fresno ($18.83)

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?

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 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:

  1. 01

    Browse babysitter profiles in Los Angeles, CA

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

  2. 02

    Message the ones who look like a fit

    Reach out to the babysitters 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 babysitter fits with your family in real time.

  4. 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

Jimena J. - Seeking Work in Los Angeles

Nanny Jimena

Los Angeles, CA
$25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I love to do arts and crafts and make new friends. I love to do pilates . I’m going to community college and i want to major in business and law .

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Edie M. - Seeking Work in Los Angeles

Nanny Edie

Los Angeles, CA
$25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I’m Edie! I just moved here from Texas after graduating from the University of North Texas with my degree in Acting. Throughout college, I have worked as a choreographer for a children’s theater, and as a dance teacher for children as young as 18 months! I have also babysat throughout the past 5 years as well.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
A A. - Seeking Work in Los Angeles

Nanny A

Los Angeles, CA
$18 - $21/hr
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello, my name is Andrea and I am a responsible, caring, and creative individual with experience working with children in both educational and artistic environments. I have worked as a ballet instructor for baby ballet and summer programs, where I taught and supported young children in dance, movement, and creative activities.

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.
Kayla B. - Seeking Work in Los Angeles

Nanny Kayla

Los Angeles, CA
$24 - $28/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

I am an energetic, safety-focused caregiver with a mix of childcare experience! From managing busy schedules and designing fun, play-based learning activities to handling special health needs like epilepsy, I create a safe and nurturing environment where kids thrive. I love using positive reinforcement, keeping routines consistent, and making sure the day is filled with fun. Willing to help with house work, meal prep, and transportation; I enjoy bringing the kiddo(s) to do activities and explore! I can't wait to bring my experience, reliability, and positive energy to your family!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Amanda T. - Seeking Work in Los Angeles

Nanny Amanda

Los Angeles, CA
$25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

As a single parent myself, I totally get how hard it is to find someone you trust so you can just get some free time, run errands, or get some rest without stressing. I worked in Dental for 12 years and had many pediatric patients. Keeping them calm and happy and comfortable during the appointment was my goal and seeing them happy and the big smile on their face afterwards was my favorite. Outside of work, I’m a single mom to a little girl spending the restless nights alone and watched every milestone go by on my own and raising a happy healthy 6 year old is the best reward. Before being a mom I spent years as a teen into my early 20's helping in my church nursery, so I know the real, day-to-day reality of raising a kid. I don’t panic when things get messy or busy, and I'm just looking for a good, stable job where I can use my experience to help out other parents.

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Jessica D. - Seeking Work in Los Angeles

Nanny Jessica

Los Angeles, CA
$25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I’m Jessica, I’m a responsible high school student who enjoys working with kids. I like creating a fun and positive environment for children to feel comfortable. I’m patient, dependable and happy to help with any homework assignments or tidying up at home!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Amadee E G. - Seeking Work in Los Angeles

Nanny Amadee E

Los Angeles, CA
$24/hr
Part-time
Occasional
6 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I'm Amadee — a reliable and caring babysitter with years of experience working with children of all ages.
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.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Shawn M. - Seeking Work in Los Angeles

Nanny Shawn

Los Angeles, CA
$25 - $45/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is Shawn! I am 26 and I've been working with children for about 10 years. I've did babysitting, nannying, and I've worked in a public school. I have worked with all types of kids. My most recent job was working with children with autism at an elementary school. I also have my undergraduate degree in Psychology!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Caroline S. - Seeking Work in Los Angeles

Nanny Caroline

Los Angeles, CA
$24/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello. My name is Caroline and I am from Northridge, CA. Growing up, I have always loved helping those in need as well as taking care of children. My mom owns an elementary school in Chatsworth, California, where I volunteer throughout the year to supervise or play with young students. I love making people feel welcome and I am a very social individual looking to take my kindness and work ethics further in life. I am currently a full time college student, but I am looking for a small, flexible/part-time job that I can do alongside of it. School is one of the most important aspects in my life, so I would be able to help your child/children with subjects such as English, History, or even projects as I am a very creative person who puts lots of dedication into work.
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