Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Merrillville, IN in 2026?
In Merrillville, IN, the average babysitter earns about $14.95 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $598/week or $2,591/month. Most Merrillville families pay somewhere in the $7–$20/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$14.95/hr · Merrillville average
These numbers come from 42 live babysitter listings in Merrillville on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $598
- Monthly
- $2,591
- Annual
- $31,096
Find babysitters near you
What drives the price
Most Merrillville families pay somewhere in the $7–$20/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
| 1 kid (baseline) | $14.95 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$15.95 |
| 3+ kids | ~$16.95+ |
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.
How do Merrillville babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Merrillville runs below the U.S. average for babysitter rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.
Hiring babysitters in Merrillville, IN typically costs about 8% less than the Indiana average of $16/hour and 21% less than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Merrillville, IN |
|---|---|---|
| Merrillville, IN | $15/hr | — |
| Indiana | $16/hr | +9% |
| United States | $19/hr | +26% |
Where Merrillville, IN fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $14.73/hour in Evansville to $19.89/hour in Carmel.
Below: how each compares to the Merrillville, IN average of $14.95/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Merrillville, IN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carmel | $19.89 | +33% | |
| 2 | Fishers | $18.92 | +27% | |
| 3 | Indianapolis | $17.35 | +16% | |
| 4 | South Bend | $16.68 | +12% | |
| 5 | Greenwood | $16.50 | +10% | |
| 6 | Lafayette | $16.24 | +9% | |
| 7 | Fort Wayne | $15.99 | +7% | |
| 8 | Valparaiso | $15.81 | +6% | |
| 9 | Bloomington | $15.63 | +5% | |
| 10 | Evansville | $14.73 | -1% |
● Most expensive nearby: Carmel ($19.89)● Least expensive nearby: Evansville ($14.73)
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.
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a babysitter in Merrillville, IN
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 Merrillville, IN
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 Merrillville, IN
42 active listings in Merrillville
Nanny Tymesha
Nanny Tymesha
Merrillville, IN
$13 - $16/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Tymesha, and I am currently a first-generation college student studying accounting. I grew up in a single-mother household, which taught me the importance of responsibility, hard work, and staying positive through challenges. I am an only child, but I have over 50 cousins, so I have always been surrounded by family and children, which is one reason I love being around kids so much. Spending time with my cousins has helped me become patient, caring, and fun to be around. My favorite color is yellow because I feel like it represents my personality bright, positive, and energetic. I enjoy building connections with others and creating a safe, happy environment for the people around me.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Anyah-Iyanna
Nanny Anyah-Iyanna
Merrillville, IN
$15/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi my name is Anyah. I love kids I don’t have any of my own though I’ve been babysitting since I was 12. I finished highschool early I want to be an ultrasound technician. I’m looking for any nanny or babysitter jobs near or in merrillville Indiana.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Taylor
Nanny Taylor
Merrillville, IN
$14/hr
Part-time
Occasional
7 years experience
A little bit about me
Hey I’m Taylor, but you can call me Taye! I’m 18, but I’ve been working with kids since I was 11. I’ve been cooking since I was 8 years old and I absolutely adore little children
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Kyra
Nanny Kyra
Merrillville, IN
$14.50/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Kyra and I’m a responsible, caring, and patient babysitter who genuinely enjoys working with children. I have experience caring for kids of different ages and always focus on creating a safe, fun, and supportive environment. I’m reliable, organized, and good at following routines, whether that means helping with homework, preparing simple meals, or keeping kids engaged with games and activities.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Ny’lah
Nanny Ny’lah
Merrillville, IN
$14/hr
Occasional
1 year experience
A little bit about me
I’m am 16 still in high school. I graduate in two years and i work with kids everyday at the preschools
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Ifeoluwa
Nanny Ifeoluwa
Merrillville, IN
$14.45/hr
Occasional
6 years experience
A little bit about me
My name is Ifeoluwa . I'm just getting out of high school . I'm looking for a job .
I am highly motivated and responsible individual with six years of experience in childcare, seeking a position where I can leverage my passion for working with children and my proven ability to provide nurturing and attentive care. From age 13, I have been dedicated to ensuring the safety, well-being, and development of children in my care. I pride myself on creating engaging and supportive environments, and I am committed to making a positive impact on the lives of the children I work with. Eager to bring my experience and enthusiasm to a role where I can continue to grow and contribute to a team.
I am highly motivated and responsible individual with six years of experience in childcare, seeking a position where I can leverage my passion for working with children and my proven ability to provide nurturing and attentive care. From age 13, I have been dedicated to ensuring the safety, well-being, and development of children in my care. I pride myself on creating engaging and supportive environments, and I am committed to making a positive impact on the lives of the children I work with. Eager to bring my experience and enthusiasm to a role where I can continue to grow and contribute to a team.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Therese
Nanny Therese
Merrillville, IN
$15/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I'm very proactive and able to multi-task.
Very friendly and clear communication with parents. I aim to create a supportive environment for the children. Very punctual and follow schedule set.
I find new creative ways to keep children engaged in fun age appropriate activities. I love children and as a mother myself I ensure I create a safe happy environment for the children.
I'm dedicated and very punctual
Very friendly and clear communication with parents. I aim to create a supportive environment for the children. Very punctual and follow schedule set.
I find new creative ways to keep children engaged in fun age appropriate activities. I love children and as a mother myself I ensure I create a safe happy environment for the children.
I'm dedicated and very punctual
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Tyzaia
Nanny Tyzaia
Merrillville, IN
$13/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I don’t have any paid experience working with kids but I’ve been around kids my whole life so I know everything that there is to know!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Ameya
Nanny Ameya
Merrillville, IN
$13/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hi I’m Ameya I recently just graduated from highschool and now in college currently looking for babysitting job because I adore kids.
Have experience working with
Special Needs