Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in San Francisco, CA in 2026?
In San Francisco, CA, the average babysitter earns about $28.03 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $1,121/week or $4,859/month. Most San Francisco families pay somewhere in the $17–$44/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$28.03/hr · San Francisco average
These numbers come from 731 live babysitter listings in San Francisco on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $1,121
- Monthly
- $4,859
- Annual
- $58,302
Find babysitters near you
What drives the price
Most San Francisco families pay somewhere in the $17–$44/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 $26.75/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $31.82/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) | $28.03 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$29.03 |
| 3+ kids | ~$30.03+ |
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 | $29.98/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $28.77/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $28.63/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $28.53/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 San Francisco babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
San Francisco is one of the more expensive babysitter markets in the country.
Hiring babysitters in San Francisco, CA typically costs about 24% more than the California average of $23/hour and 46% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $28/hr | — |
| California | $23/hr | -19% |
| United States | $19/hr | -32% |
Where San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, CA average of $28.03/hour — San Francisco, CA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $28.03 | — | |
| 2 | San Jose | $25.39 | -9% | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $24.66 | -12% | |
| 4 | San Diego | $23.54 | -16% | |
| 5 | Long Beach | $22.34 | -20% | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $20.91 | -25% | |
| 7 | Riverside | $19.95 | -29% | |
| 8 | Stockton | $19.70 | -30% | |
| 9 | Bakersfield | $19.14 | -32% | |
| 10 | Fresno | $19.01 | -32% |
● Most expensive nearby: San Francisco ($28.03)● Least expensive nearby: Fresno ($19.01)
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 San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, CA
731 active listings in San Francisco
Nanny Sandra
Nanny Sandra
San Francisco, CA
$28/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
7 years experience
A little bit about me
I love being able to understand children & their unique characteristics, all while watching them grow into their own personalities. I am very patient and flexible, and can roll with the punches. My mother was a daycare teacher for 20+ years, so all of my connections with children are fueled with enrichments and brain stimulating activities that help the development of a child. I am CPR certified. I work with children of all ages, however I specialize in infants and toddlers. I have been babysitting & taking care of children since the age of 10
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Mika
Nanny Mika
San Francisco, CA
$48 - $60/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hi all! I’m Mika, a career nanny here in SF who loves watching/helping little ones grow, learn, and discover the world around them. With over a decade of experience and a degree in Early Childhood Development, I bring a lot of heart, warmth, and hands-on creativity to every day. There is nothing better to me than being right there for the big aha moments - whether that’s celebrating a new milestone or guiding an active toddler through a new skill. I value building close, easy relationships with parents so we can work together as a cohesive team for your family. I’d love to chat and hear all about your little one!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Melissa
Nanny Melissa
San Francisco, CA
$29/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi, i’m Melissa a bilingual speaking bay area native. I recently graduated with my bachelor’s in psychology, with more than 4 years of experience working with kids ranging in age and different levels of need.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Adela
Nanny Adela
San Francisco, CA
$45 - $50/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hello Families!!!!
My name is Adela Sandino
I consider myself a warm, loving, patient, responsible, organized, reliable, creative, and flexible person, I truly enjoy helping children learn, grow, and explore the world around them.
I enjoy creating a nurturing environment where children feel safe, loved, and encouraged to develop confidence, kindness, curiosity, and independence.
I understand that choosing someone to care for your child is one of the most important decisions a family can make, and I take that responsibility with great care, love and dedication.
My goal is to provide every child with the love, patience, and support they need to grow into happy, confident, and curious little learners.
Your child’s happiness, safety, and well-being are always my top priorities.
My name is Adela Sandino
I consider myself a warm, loving, patient, responsible, organized, reliable, creative, and flexible person, I truly enjoy helping children learn, grow, and explore the world around them.
I enjoy creating a nurturing environment where children feel safe, loved, and encouraged to develop confidence, kindness, curiosity, and independence.
I understand that choosing someone to care for your child is one of the most important decisions a family can make, and I take that responsibility with great care, love and dedication.
My goal is to provide every child with the love, patience, and support they need to grow into happy, confident, and curious little learners.
Your child’s happiness, safety, and well-being are always my top priorities.
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Danielle
Nanny Danielle
San Francisco, CA
$25 - $35/hr
Occasional
2 years experience
A little bit about me
My name is Dani! I am originally from the LA area (Thousand Oaks). I just moved out to SF with my husband and am finishing my Family Studies and Math degree online. I love music, the outdoors, and reading.
I have worked as a nanny/babysitter for several years and also worked as a private math tutor for many years for kids ages 4th grade to 12th.
I am very organized and a hard worker. I have much experience babysitting kids of all ages, from young babies to teenagers. I am also qualified to assist with tutoring of all subjects. I enjoy cleaning and helping out wherever I can.
I am not CPR or first aid certified, but am in the process of starting this training.
I have worked as a nanny/babysitter for several years and also worked as a private math tutor for many years for kids ages 4th grade to 12th.
I am very organized and a hard worker. I have much experience babysitting kids of all ages, from young babies to teenagers. I am also qualified to assist with tutoring of all subjects. I enjoy cleaning and helping out wherever I can.
I am not CPR or first aid certified, but am in the process of starting this training.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Mariah
Nanny Mariah
San Francisco, CA
$30 - $50/hr
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience
A little bit about me
I’m outgoing, fun, caring, and absolutely love kids! I recently relocated to San Francisco after living near Fresno, where I worked with a family for 4 years caring for their 4 children. I’ve also worked as a teacher’s aide and with children with special needs. I’m patient, dependable, energetic, and love creating a safe and fun environment for kids. My faith is a big part of who I am, and I love God and bringing joy and positivity wherever I go! I’ve also been a youth leader for high school and junior high girls for 4 years.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Carmen
Nanny Carmen
San Francisco, CA
$28/hr
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello! Im Carmen from Argentina, im an a current aupair living with my host family and i would like to make more extra hours :)
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Jane
Nanny Jane
San Francisco, CA
$30 - $35/hr
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience
A little bit about me
I am currently a dental student at UCSF and I miss spending time with kids! I love spending time outdoors and hearing children's laughter when I pass by a playground.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Lillian
Nanny Lillian
San Francisco, CA
$27 - $47/hr
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Lily and I'm so excited to start working with kids again!
The past 5 years I was working as a caseworker for chronically homeless and at-risk adults in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco.
I'm ready for a change, and I want to return to my passion of working with kids.
I have been babysitting since I was a young teen, I was a camp counselor for several summers, and I have worked at after school programs too!
With my recent office experience, I also hope to help families with organization and household management.
I'm looking forward to meeting you and your family :)
**Please let me know if you would like a copy of my background check or my references!**
The past 5 years I was working as a caseworker for chronically homeless and at-risk adults in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco.
I'm ready for a change, and I want to return to my passion of working with kids.
I have been babysitting since I was a young teen, I was a camp counselor for several summers, and I have worked at after school programs too!
With my recent office experience, I also hope to help families with organization and household management.
I'm looking forward to meeting you and your family :)
**Please let me know if you would like a copy of my background check or my references!**
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid