Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Athens, GA in 2026?

In Athens, GA, the average babysitter earns about $16.75 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $670/week or $2,903/month. Most Athens families pay somewhere in the $8–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$16.75/hr · Athens average

These numbers come from 235 live babysitter listings in Athens on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$670
$2,903
$34,840

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What drives the price

Most Athens families pay somewhere in the $8–$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 $16.06/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $18.13/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)$16.75
2 kids~$17.75
3+ kids~$18.75+

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$17.63/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$16.72/hr
Occasional5–15 hrs/week$16.58/hr
Live-inSet by family$16.70/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 Athens babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?

Athens runs below the U.S. average for babysitter rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.

Hiring babysitters in Athens, GA typically costs about 1% less than the Georgia average of $17/hour and 12% less than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Athens, GA and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Athens, GA
Athens, GA$17/hr
Georgia$17/hr+1%
United States$19/hr+13%

Where Athens, GA fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $14.49/hour in Columbus to $20.12/hour in Atlanta.

Below: how each compares to the Athens, GA average of $16.75/hour — Athens, GA is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Athens, GA ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Athens, GA
1Atlanta$20.12+20%
2Decatur$18.64+11%
3Marietta$18.60+11%
4Kennesaw$17.92+7%
5Lawrenceville$17.67+5%
6Savannah$17.66+5%
7Douglasville$17.40+4%
Athens$16.75
9Augusta$14.97-11%
10Columbus$14.49-13%
Most expensive nearby: Atlanta ($20.12) Least expensive nearby: Columbus ($14.49)

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 Athens, GA

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 Athens, GA

    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 Athens, GA

235 active listings in Athens

Kae S. - Seeking Work in Athens

Nanny Kae

Athens, GA
$18 - $22/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Compassionate and creative teacher effective at working collaboratively and
independently to provide a safe and nurturing environment for growing minds and bodies.
I've been a drama teacher, PreK teacher, daycare teacher, homeschool teacher as well as a tutor and a nanny. I am interested in hearing about what goals your child is working on achieving. Let's make progress together!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Blakely S. - Seeking Work in Athens

Nanny Blakely

Athens, GA
$15 - $25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
9 years experience

A little bit about me

I am from the Athens Area and I’ve loved growing up here! I am a nursing student with a passion for pediatrics, currently studying at Augusta University (Athens Campus), with a long-term goal of becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. I love engaging with kids through outdoor/indoor play, creative games that channel their imagination, and assisting parents! I have over 7 years of babysitting experience that includes caring for children ages 6 months to 12 years old and caring for animals. When pet-sitting, I enjoy going on walks, playing in the yard, cuddling, and making sure they are well cared for while their owners are away! In my free time, I love to spend time with friends and family, going on walks, watching Georgia football and Braves baseball, shopping, and traveling. I would love the opportunity to care for your family!

I have also spent the last three summers serving at a Christian camp in Charleston, South Carolina, caring for ages 8-18!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Emma F. - Seeking Work in Athens

Nanny Emma

Athens, GA
$20 - $22/hr
Full-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I am 20-year-old college student at UGA on summer break looking to nanny/babysit full-time. I’m someone who really loves kids (and animals) and knows how to handle kids of all ages. I can cook and clean as well, so I would be more than happy to help with those things. I am an open and social person, and I love to spend my time working out, reading, playing games (wordle, sudoku), watching TV/movies, and spending time with my loved ones. I’ll be available through August, but I’ll be back in December and periodically throughout the semester.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Samantha R. - Seeking Work in Athens

Nanny Samantha

Athens, GA
$20 - $30/hr
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

I am a student at the University of Georgia and I have been babysitting/giving swim lessons for 4 years! I love seeing the smiles on kids faces and just having fun. I live in the Athens area and I can’t wait to be there for your little ones and help your family however I can!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Asha B. - Seeking Work in Athens

Nanny Asha

Athens, GA
$10 - $20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Asha and I love hanging out and taking care of kids! I'm home for a month in Athens before I head up to Wisconsin to work as a camp counselor and lead canoe and backpacking trips for middle schoolers! I'm looking for some quick babysitting gigs to make a little money while I'm home. I have super flexible hours and am free most days. I just finished my freshman year at the University of Vermont as a member of the Patrick Leahy Honors College and a Human Development and Family Sciences major. I love spending time outside, being with people I love, traveling, reading, playing games, and meeting new people!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Rachel A. - Seeking Work in Athens

Nanny Rachel

Athens, GA
$16/hr
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Rachel and I am a Sophomore at UGA! I have been babysitting since I was 12 years old and I have lots of experience with kids! This past summer I was a full time camp counselor at a country club. I love working with kids and pets!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Paris F. - Seeking Work in Athens

Nanny Paris

Athens, GA
$16/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

HI! I'm Paris, and I am currently a freshman at UGA focusing on human development and family sciences on a pre nursing track. I am relatively new to professional child care but I absolutely love kids. I've had so much personal experience considering I have been an aunt since I was 7, and I am 19 now. I have always wanted to be a pediatric nurse practitioner, so I can gain experience in working with kids and doing what I love. I have such a genuine passion for this and would love to show that. I am available on weekends and afternoons/nights. Feel free to contact me at any point to set up a call or for references!

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Joanna W. - Seeking Work in Athens

Nanny Joanna

Athens, GA
$16/hr
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

I am a caring, dependable, and organized caregiver with experience supporting children, families, and students in both academic and home-based settings. I bring a calm, patient presence and value creating safe, engaging, and structured environments where children can learn, grow, and feel supported.

Have experience working with

Infants
Taylor J. - Seeking Work in Athens

Nanny Taylor

Athens, GA
$12 - $15/hr
Part-time
Occasional
6 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! I'm Taylor and I would love to help out your family by caring for your kids. I have both work and volunteer experience with children of all ages in a variety of settings including church, daycares, schools, and medical offices. I am a mother of two myself and pursuing my master's in Marriage & Family Therapy with a goal of being a child/adolescent therapist!

Have experience working with

Infants
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