Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Ruston, LA in 2026?

In Ruston, LA, the average babysitter earns about $13.06 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $522/week or $2,264/month. Most Ruston families pay somewhere in the $10–$18/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$13.06/hr · Ruston average

These numbers come from 51 live babysitter listings in Ruston on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$522
$2,264
$27,165

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What drives the price

Most Ruston families pay somewhere in the $10–$18/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)$13.06
2 kids~$14.06
3+ kids~$15.06+

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 Ruston babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?

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

Hiring babysitters in Ruston, LA typically costs about 15% less than the Louisiana average of $15/hour and 32% less than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Ruston, LA and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Ruston, LA
Ruston, LA$13/hr
Louisiana$15/hr+17%
United States$19/hr+46%

Where Ruston, LA fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $13.27/hour in Monroe to $18.27/hour in Metairie.

Below: how each compares to the Ruston, LA average of $13.06/hour.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Ruston, LA ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Ruston, LA
1Metairie$18.27+40%
2New Orleans$17.67+35%
3Slidell$16.22+24%
4Baton Rouge$15.60+19%
5Bossier City$14.51+11%
6Hammond$14.07+8%
7Lafayette$14.02+7%
8Shreveport$13.99+7%
9Lake Charles$13.70+5%
10Monroe$13.27+2%
Most expensive nearby: Metairie ($18.27) Least expensive nearby: Monroe ($13.27)

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 Ruston, LA

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 Ruston, LA

    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 Ruston, LA

51 active listings in Ruston

Madison H. - Seeking Work in Ruston

Nanny Madison

Ruston, LA
$12/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

I currently work at a Christian preschool and nursery, where I help care for and guide young children in a nurturing, faith-based environment. I have been babysitting since I was 15, caring for both my three youngest siblings and other families in the community. Additionally, I have experience working in-house at a non-profit church after-school and summer program, assisting with childcare for children from low-income families, providing quality care at no cost to parents. These experiences have given me strong skills in supervising, engaging, and supporting children of various ages in safe and positive settings.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Jordan C. - Seeking Work in Ruston

Nanny Jordan

Ruston, LA
$11.48/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

My name is Jordan Cato I’m a male and I have always been good with kids/baby’s I’m 18 and I’m going to be a senior next school year I’m amazing at communicating and I have an amazing family that taught me respect and loyalty and devotion I’m very funny I make kids laugh and things like that

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Jamie A. - Seeking Work in Ruston

Nanny Jamie

Ruston, LA
$15/hr
Full-time
Occasional
9 years experience

A little bit about me

First most I love working with children I am A mother of four young adult children having a total of three grandchildren. I've been there in each of there lives since birth. I love being a grandmother that takes loving and caring for anyone or anybody very seriously. I'm very energetic love to.cook,reading stories and crafting my focus will and are always on the needs for the infant or infants I'm caring for.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Jenna C. - Seeking Work in Ruston

Nanny Jenna

Ruston, LA
$11/hr
Occasional
6 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Jenna and I'm a 3rd year student at Louisiana Tech studying architecture. I have been babysitting, dogsitting, and house sitting since I was in high school and have experience with all ages of children! Im reliable, patient, and love to engage with kids. In my free time, I enjoy outdoor activities such as running and hiking to stay active. I'm excited to get in touch and support families close by!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Carigen S. - Seeking Work in Ruston

Nanny Carigen

Ruston, LA
$11.68/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hey, my name is Carigen. I am 18 years old and I would love to babysit! I’ve always had a passion for caring for babies since I was little and I think this would be the perfect job for me!

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Kourtney L. - Seeking Work in Ruston

Nanny Kourtney

Ruston, LA
$11.25/hr
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

My name is Kourtney Lockhart, I am 18 years old and I go to school at Ruston High School. I love kids, I also enjoy playing with them and enjoy their company.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Kia W. - Seeking Work in Ruston

Nanny Kia

Ruston, LA
$15/hr
Part-time
Occasional
9 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Kia, and I am a dedicated childcare professional with extensive experience caring for infants, toddlers, and young children. I am passionate about creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. My background in early childhood education has given me the skills to support children’s development through age-appropriate activities, positive interactions, and individualized care.

In addition to providing exceptional childcare, I also offer reliable housekeeping services. I understand how valuable a clean and organized home is for busy families, and I take pride in maintaining tidy, sanitized, and welcoming spaces. From general cleaning and laundry to organizing play areas and helping keep daily routines running smoothly, I strive to make life easier for the families I serve.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Yasmine A. - Seeking Work in Ruston

Nanny Yasmine

Ruston, LA
$15/hr
Part-time
Occasional
7 years experience

A little bit about me

My bae is yasmine Armstrong my favorite color is purple , my favorite number is 13, and I have been babysitting since I was 12 years old. I’ve always loved being around kids, and growing up in a large household taught me how to be patient, caring, and responsible from a young age. I started babysitting when I was 12, and it quickly became something I truly enjoyed rather than just a chore or job. I love creating a fun and safe environment where kids can laugh, learn, and feel cared for. Now that I’m in college studying to become a social worker, I’m even more passionate about helping children and families. Babysitting gives me the chance to make a positive difference in their lives, and I take pride in being someone parents can trust and kids can feel comfortable with.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

CPR
Ashlin L. - Seeking Work in Ruston

Nanny Ashlin

Ruston, LA
$11/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I am a college student at LA Tech majoring in accounting with lots of experience with kids!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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