Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Wheeling, IL in 2026?

In Wheeling, IL, the average babysitter earns about $21.46 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $858/week or $3,720/month. Most Wheeling families pay somewhere in the $15–$30/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$21.46/hr · Wheeling average

These numbers come from 28 live babysitter listings in Wheeling on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$858
$3,720
$44,637

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What drives the price

Most Wheeling 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.


01

Experience

Experience is one of the biggest levers on a babysitter's rate.
Nannies with 10+ years, or specialty skills like newborn care or multiple languages, typically command the highest hourly rates.

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)$21.46
2 kids~$22.46
3+ kids~$23.46+

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.

How do Wheeling babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?

Wheeling runs above the U.S. average for babysitter rates, in line with most major metros.

Hiring babysitters in Wheeling, IL typically costs about 12% more than the Illinois average of $19/hour and 14% more than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Wheeling, IL and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Wheeling, IL
Wheeling, IL$21/hr
Illinois$19/hr-11%
United States$19/hr-12%

Where Wheeling, IL fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $16.73/hour in Normal to $20.86/hour in Chicago.

Below: how each compares to the Wheeling, IL average of $21.46/hour.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Wheeling, IL ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Wheeling, IL
1Chicago$20.86-3%
2Naperville$19.89-7%
3Aurora$19.28-10%
4Plainfield$18.68-13%
5Springfield$17.85-17%
6Rockford$17.51-18%
7Peoria$17.46-19%
8Champaign$17.40-19%
9Bloomington$17.16-20%
10Normal$16.73-22%
Most expensive nearby: Chicago ($20.86) Least expensive nearby: Normal ($16.73)

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 Wheeling, IL

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 Wheeling, IL

    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 Wheeling, IL

28 active listings in Wheeling

Irina K. - Seeking Work in Wheeling

Nanny Irina

Wheeling, IL
$20/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Mother of 3, 2 adult children and 1 teen. Love children. Looking for a part time or occasional job, with possibility of full time.

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Addyson P. - Seeking Work in Wheeling

Nanny Addyson

Wheeling, IL
$20 - $21/hr
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

I have been babysitting for 4 years now, constantly with a couple families. I babysit mainly from the ages 0-9, but always willing to help out older kids ☺️

Have experience working with

Infants
Lupe L. - Seeking Work in Wheeling

Nanny Lupe

Wheeling, IL
$30/hr
Full-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I am a registered nurse. I have six years of nursing experience. I have experience with any age group including newborns! Really excited to work with you!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Alexis D. - Seeking Work in Wheeling

Nanny Alexis

Wheeling, IL
$20/hr
Full-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Alexis, I have over 3 years of hands-on babysitting experience—and as the oldest of 6 siblings—I’ve spent most of my life caring for little ones of all ages. Growing up in a busy household taught me the value of patience, responsibility, and a good sense of humor. I truly love working with kids and animals, and I bring kindness, creativity, and calm energy to every family I work with. Whether you need a dependable sitter for the occasional date night or regular help during the week, I’m here to support your family with care you can trust.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Rose K. - Seeking Work in Wheeling

Nanny Rose

Wheeling, IL
$20/hr
Part-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I’m a mom of 2 and I have been working with children for over 10 years. It is the best job ever! My last job ended without much notice, because the owner decided to close the business. I worked for Gymboree Play & Music which was for families and children birth- 6 years old. At Gymboree I taught adult/child classes, did birthday parties and taught all our drop off preschool classes. It was my life with so many great memories. We closed on May 28, 2023. I really miss working with young children and seeing their happy faces and helping the families. Before Gymboree I worked at a daycare called Kidwatch Plus where I was the 3 yr old teacher.

Have experience working with

Infants
Irene D. - Seeking Work in Wheeling

Nanny Irene

Wheeling, IL
$23/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Im a teacher for 7 years and do nannying job for 16 years- all of those are on three families with a long term position and minimum of 50 working hours a week-

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Jessica B. - Seeking Work in Wheeling

Nanny Jessica

Wheeling, IL
$23/hr
Full-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I am 24 years old with several years of childcare ranging from babysitting for family and friends, to nannying, to camp counselor. I also had child development classes and hands on experience in my high school’s preschool. I enjoy music, crafts, learning and seeing little ones smile and enjoy themselves. I have experience with kids 8mo-middle school with majority experience with toddler aged kids. I am not currently certified in cpr or first aid, but I was before and willing to get certified again. I do meal prep, driving to and from activities, cleaning, laundry, etc. The ideal family for me would be those who would treat me as family; those who would be long term so we could grow together. I like parents to have open communication with me and for parents to be open to communication from me.
Jennifer M. - Seeking Work in Wheeling

Nanny Jennifer

Wheeling, IL
$19.50/hr
Part-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi there! I’m Jenny, a 20 year old. Eager to bring dependable part-time nanny care to your family. With experience helping children with homework, arts and crafts, playground adventures, and after-school routines, I love creating playful moments that spark learning and joy. I’m currently available Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and offer flexible timing to fit your schedule. You can count on consistency, warmth, and fun, delivered with respect and open communication. Let’s chat and explore if I’d be a great match for your child’s growth and smiles!
Partricia A. - Seeking Work in Wheeling

Nanny Partricia

Wheeling, IL
$20/hr
Part-time
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi I’m a mom of 3 kids and I have some experience in child care because I used to take care of my daughters friend when they were little almost everyday.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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