Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Wilmington, DE in 2026?
In Wilmington, DE, the average babysitter earns about $18.81 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $752/week or $3,260/month. Most Wilmington families pay somewhere in the $15–$30/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 174 live babysitter listings in Wilmington on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $752
- Monthly
- $3,260
- Annual
- $39,125
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What drives the price
Most Wilmington families pay somewhere in the $15–$30/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) | $18.81 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$19.81 |
| 3+ kids | ~$20.81+ |
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 | $21.54/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $18.68/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $19.94/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $20.66/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 Wilmington babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Wilmington sits close to the national average for babysitter rates.
Hiring babysitters in Wilmington, DE typically costs about 3% more than the Delaware average of $18/hour and the same as the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Wilmington, DE |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, DE | $19/hr | — |
| Delaware | $18/hr | -3% |
| United States | $19/hr | 0% |
Where Wilmington, DE fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $16.88/hour in Dover to $19.24/hour in Bear.
Below: how each compares to the Wilmington, DE average of $18.81/hour — Wilmington, DE is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Wilmington, DE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bear | $19.24 | +2% | |
| 2 | Newark | $18.83 | — | |
| 3 | Wilmington | $18.81 | — | |
| 4 | Middletown | $18.74 | — | |
| 5 | Leipsic | $18.58 | -1% | |
| 6 | Millsboro | $18.35 | -2% | |
| 7 | Milford | $18.20 | -3% | |
| 8 | New Castle | $18.05 | -4% | |
| 9 | Smyrna | $16.99 | -10% | |
| 10 | Dover | $16.88 | -10% |
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 Wilmington, DE
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 Wilmington, DE
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 Wilmington, DE
174 active listings in Wilmington
Nanny Denita
Nanny Denita
A little bit about me
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Nanny Samia
Nanny Samia
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Nanny Emily
Nanny Emily
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Certifications
Nanny Regina
Nanny Regina
A little bit about me
I am excellent with children, friendly, easy going and able to handle a challenge.
I am reliable, dependable, kind and considerate.
Thank you and have a great day!
Have experience working with
Nanny Julia
Nanny Julia
A little bit about me
I completed my internship in a general education classroom at Heritage Elementary School in the Red Clay School District. I have also worked as a full-time assistant preschool teacher in a 4 and 5 year old classroom, a counselor at Sanford ESF Camps, and at Extended Day at Sanford School with preschool through 4th grade.
I am CPR and First Aid certified and have completed my Child Protection Registry, TB test, background check, and Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals. I am happy to provide references upon request. I look forward to connecting with your family!
Certifications
Nanny Tasia
Nanny Tasia
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Nanny Andrea
Nanny Andrea
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Certifications
Nanny Shanya
Nanny Shanya
A little bit about me
I am a responsible and reliable babysitter who takes my job seriously. Whether it’s helping with homework, preparing meals, playing games, or bedtime routines, I ensure that kids are well cared for while having a great time. Parents can count on me to be punctual, attentive, and respectful of household rules.
I would love the opportunity to help care for your little ones! Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
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Certification
Nanny Rashida
Nanny Rashida
A little bit about me
I like working with kids because they are so much fun with a vast range of imagination, filled with a lot of hope and admiration.
I'm looking for a job that provides a sense of togetherness and a family whose values are respect, love, loyalty, happiness, communication, etc.
I started working with kids in Liberia, at a very young age. I had a household full of kids whom I would care for along with the neighbor kids after I come home from grade school. I started to work professionally as a nanny with ABC Nanny in 2016.
In my spare time, I like to cook, clean, read and study the Bible, read different books for school and fun, work-out, go to church, go the beach, etc.
One thing you should know about me is that I hold highly that everyone is very precious, treating everyone the way I would like to be treated, is very important.
My skills include listening, paying attention, and being involved and present.