Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Modesto, CA in 2026?
In Modesto, CA, the average babysitter earns about $19.11 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $764/week or $3,312/month. Most Modesto families pay somewhere in the $17–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$19.11/hr · Modesto average
These numbers come from 311 live babysitter listings in Modesto on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $764
- Monthly
- $3,312
- Annual
- $39,749
Find babysitters near you
What drives the price
Most Modesto families pay somewhere in the $17–$25/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 $18.80/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $21.65/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
| 1 kid (baseline) | $19.11 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$20.11 |
| 3+ kids | ~$21.11+ |
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
| 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 | $20.16/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $19.35/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $19.21/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $19.65/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 Modesto babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Modesto sits close to the national average for babysitter rates.
Hiring babysitters in Modesto, CA typically costs about 14% less than the California average of $22/hour and 2% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Modesto, CA | $19/hr | — |
| California | $22/hr | +17% |
| United States | $19/hr | -2% |
Where Modesto, 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 Modesto, CA average of $19.11/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Modesto, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $27.70 | +45% | |
| 2 | San Jose | $25.01 | +31% | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $24.36 | +27% | |
| 4 | San Diego | $23.18 | +21% | |
| 5 | Long Beach | $22.05 | +15% | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $20.76 | +9% | |
| 7 | Riverside | $19.73 | +3% | |
| 8 | Stockton | $19.55 | +2% | |
| 9 | Bakersfield | $18.96 | -1% | |
| 10 | Fresno | $18.83 | -1% |
● 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.
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a babysitter in Modesto, 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 Modesto, 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 Modesto, CA
311 active listings in Modesto
Nanny Faith
Nanny Faith
Modesto, CA
$17 - $18/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I am a college student at California State University Stanislaus in Turlock, CA. I am pursing Music Technology and Business Marketing. I like to sing, do theater, go for walks, and tend to my garden. I also work part time at a retail store in the mall. I am able to drive. Although I have no experience you have to start somewhere.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Melanie
Nanny Melanie
Modesto, CA
$18 - $21/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello!! My name is Melanie I am 19 years old. I am a college student at MJC, about to start my sophomore year. I love taking care of kids, reading and dancing. I have 4 nephews and 1 niece that I love to hangout with and babysit. I am very respectful, clean, patient and communicative. I love to help out with what I can and just try to make things easier for people.
Have experience working with
Infants
Nanny Kiley
Nanny Kiley
Modesto, CA
$19/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Kiley I’m 21 years old and I just graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology & Brain Sciences. I have a lot of unpaid childcare experience with newborns up to pre-teens. I am home after graduating and would love to spend my time helping you out and taking care of the most important things in your life!!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Hailey
Nanny Hailey
Modesto, CA
$18 - $25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi, I'm Hailey. I recently moved back home from San Francisco, CA. I had lived in the city for the past eight years. I attended SF State University and studied Psychology with a focus on sexual health and education. I have worked in the food & beverage industry simultaneously for the past ten years. I discovered a natural love for working in the hospitality industry while doing so. It's integral for me to be in any field where I'm of service to others, especially for those who can't always fend for themselves. I love the underdogs. I also enjoy working with children and youth with special needs. In my free time, I enjoy cooking and catching up on rest. I love a quiet night in while listening to records. Please reach out if there are any questions. Thanks so much x
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certification
First Aid
Nanny Rabia
Nanny Rabia
Modesto, CA
$20/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I love working with children. Even though I don’t have paid experience as a babysitter, but I always babysit for my family and friends.
Nanny Roxann
Nanny Roxann
Modesto, CA
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
I'm a mother of three. My children are all grown up enough to where they don't need me. They have decided to go live with their father so I am all by myself now and have nothing to do. I missy babies. So I have decided to take care of other people kids. I'm free all hours and any days.
Have experience working with
Infants
Nanny Hanna
Nanny Hanna
Modesto, CA
$20/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hello my name is Hanna, I’m 23 years old. I recently have been looking for occasional babysitting opportunities. I am a full time business owner who specializes in nail services. Before my career choice I gathered experience working with a variety of children. I was a former cheerleading coach for a middle school and gymnastics coach in Salida, CA. In highschool I worked 3 years with special needs students, which is where I acquired being CPR certified. In that same year I worked in the E.R for a semester. I’m attentive, punctual and patient. I have babysat and/or cared for children all my life, whether it was family friends or my own family. I am one of 5 kids, being one of the middle children. Please feel free to reach out if you have anymore questions.
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Brooke
Nanny Brooke
Modesto, CA
$20 - $40/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Brooke & I have many years of experience w/ infants, & troubled teens. I enjoy working w/ families & I am CPR/ First Aide certified. I recently retired from teaching & hold a current, Multiple Subject, CA. Teaching Credential as well. Home Schooling and/ or Behavioral Shaping and Help are also an option, for a higher fee. I would be willing to work w/ families who have up to 5 children, for a higher fee as well. I have 20 years of experience in behavioral work & over 10 years of teaching all school subjects. I am responsible, trustworthy, reliable, honest, hard working, & loyal. If I say I will do something consider it done. I take all of my jobs very seriously & do them all to the best of my ability, while having fun too! I am a safe driver, I enjoy practicing Natural Health, wellness, and eating & preparing healthy foods as well. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions. Thank you for the opportunity to work with you and your family, ahead of time.
~ Brooke =)
~ Brooke =)
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Isabella
Nanny Isabella
Modesto, CA
$19/hr
Occasional
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello Everyone! I'm Isabella, I go by Bella and I am an 18-year-old Behavior Technician and ABA therapist. I specialize in working with special needs children and those with behavioral issues. I have experience working with kids of all ages, and I'm great with pets too!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid