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 $24.66 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $986/week or $4,274/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 2,935 live babysitter listings in Los Angeles on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $986
- Monthly
- $4,274
- Annual
- $51,293
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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.
Experience
Number of kids
| 1 kid (baseline) | $24.66 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$25.66 |
| 3+ kids | ~$26.66+ |
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 | $26.41/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $24.96/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $24.85/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $25.02/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 $23/hour and 29% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $25/hr | — |
| California | $23/hr | -8% |
| United States | $19/hr | -22% |
Where Los Angeles, CA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $19.01/hour in Fresno to $28.03/hour in San Francisco.
Below: how each compares to the Los Angeles, CA average of $24.66/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 | $28.03 | +14% | |
| 2 | San Jose | $25.39 | +3% | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $24.66 | — | |
| 4 | San Diego | $23.54 | -5% | |
| 5 | Long Beach | $22.34 | -9% | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $20.91 | -15% | |
| 7 | Riverside | $19.95 | -19% | |
| 8 | Stockton | $19.70 | -20% | |
| 9 | Bakersfield | $19.14 | -22% | |
| 10 | Fresno | $19.01 | -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
2,935 active listings in Los Angeles
Nanny Victoria
Nanny Victoria
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Nanny Frances
Nanny Frances
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Nanny Priscilla
Nanny Priscilla
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Other jobs I’ve done are help organize, run errands, grocery shopping, pet sitting, cooking, etc…
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Nanny Dayana
Nanny Dayana
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Nanny Mailie
Nanny Mailie
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Nanny India
Nanny India
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Nanny Vrina
Nanny Vrina
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Nanny Lisa
Nanny Lisa
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Nanny Cailyn
Nanny Cailyn
A little bit about me
I have also tutored children in grades K–5 in reading and writing and have extensive experience working with children with disabilities. I founded Passion 2 Perform, a performing arts program for children with disabilities, and have volunteered with GiGi’s Playhouse as a literacy tutor and camp counselor. I have also worked with The Miracle Project and created Project Bloom, a youth wellness program focused on confidence and connection.
I’m currently a USC student studying Narrative Studies and Social Work with a minor in Occupational Science. I’m patient, creative, responsible, and dependable, and I always want the kids I care for to feel safe, supported, and have fun!