Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Saint Paul, MN in 2026?

In Saint Paul, MN, the average babysitter earns about $19.15 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $766/week or $3,319/month. Most Saint Paul families pay somewhere in the $11–$26/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$19.15/hr · Saint Paul average

These numbers come from 259 live babysitter listings in Saint Paul on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$766
$3,319
$39,832

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What drives the price

Most Saint Paul families pay somewhere in the $11–$26/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 $18.27/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $21.43/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)$19.15
2 kids~$20.15
3+ kids~$21.15+

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$20.93/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$19.20/hr
Occasional5–15 hrs/week$18.99/hr
Live-inSet by family$20.52/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 Saint Paul babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?

Saint Paul sits close to the national average for babysitter rates.

Hiring babysitters in Saint Paul, MN typically costs about 4% more than the Minnesota average of $18/hour and 2% more than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Saint Paul, MN and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Saint Paul, MN
Saint Paul, MN$19/hr
Minnesota$18/hr-4%
United States$19/hr-2%

Where Saint Paul, MN fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $16.87/hour in Mankato to $20.17/hour in Minneapolis.

Below: how each compares to the Saint Paul, MN average of $19.15/hour — Saint Paul, MN is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Saint Paul, MN ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Saint Paul, MN
1Minneapolis$20.17+5%
2Maple Grove$19.66+3%
Saint Paul$19.15
4Lakeville$19.12
5Rochester$18.99-1%
6Woodbury$18.82-2%
7St. Cloud$17.64-8%
8Blaine$17.33-10%
9Duluth$17.11-11%
10Mankato$16.87-12%
Most expensive nearby: Minneapolis ($20.17) Least expensive nearby: Mankato ($16.87)

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 Saint Paul, MN

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 Saint Paul, MN

    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 Saint Paul, MN

259 active listings in Saint Paul

Leah H. - Seeking Work in Saint Paul

Nanny Leah

Saint Paul, MN
$18 - $25/hr
Occasional
6 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I'm a student at the University of St. Thomas studying economics. In my free time, I enjoy playing club volleyball, going on walks, and exploring new places with friends. I am looking for occasional work and I love being around kids and the lively energy!

Have experience working with

Infants
MiaA’more M. - Seeking Work in Saint Paul

Nanny MiaA’more

Saint Paul, MN
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I’m Mia A’more Emanuel! I’m from St. Paul, Minnesota, and I’m the youngest of three siblings. I have about four years of experience working with children and enjoy creating fun, positive environments for others. In my free time, I love doing art, spending time with family, and trying new things.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Moe W. - Seeking Work in Saint Paul

Nanny Moe

Saint Paul, MN
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Moe. I am mother of 3 beautiful children (10,9, & 3 years old) I am also expecting my 4th one by early next year. Children have always been my life and I was always known as the go to babysitter for many friends and family. On my down time, I love to watch movies, do arts and crafts and just have fun in anything that I do. People often describe me as the mom of the group because of my nurturing character. I hope you'll consider me for caring your littles one. I look forward to meeting you.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Rio P. - Seeking Work in Saint Paul

Nanny Rio

Saint Paul, MN
$18 - $28/hr
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Beyond sporadic babysitting over the last five years, I volunteered for three years in the Boston Public Schools as a reading and writing tutor for 1st–2nd graders and a lunch/recess monitor for Pre-K through 5th grade. Last summer I worked as an Education Clinician at Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes, teaching reading literacy and comprehension to students ages 4–21, with a specialization in ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder. I hold certifications in their Seeing Stars (symbol imagery) and Visualizing & Verbalizing (concept imagery and communication skills) programs, and am well-equipped to support children of all ages with homework, tutoring, and developmental skills. I'm currently interning on Uriah Ward's campaign for re-election to the St. Paul School Board — education is a genuine passion of mine. I am CPR certified and love staying active and creative through sports, art, and imaginative play. I can't wait to make your kids laugh while keeping them safe!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

CPR
Taylor C. - Seeking Work in Saint Paul

Nanny Taylor

Saint Paul, MN
$24 - $30/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Taylor, and I am a dependable, caring, and organized stay-at-home mom with a passion for creating a safe, nurturing environment for children. Managing a household has strengthened my skills in multitasking, meal preparation, cleaning, scheduling, and problem-solving, all of which help me provide attentive and reliable childcare.

In addition to my experience caring for children, I have a bachelor's degree and previous professional experience in healthcare, which has given me a strong sense of responsibility, patience, and attention to detail.

I enjoy engaging children in age-appropriate activities, encouraging learning, preparing meals and snacks, and maintaining a structured yet fun environment. My goal is to give parents peace of mind knowing their children are safe, happy, and well cared for.

I look forward to meeting your family and learning how I can support your childcare needs!

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Kendall Q. - Seeking Work in Saint Paul

Nanny Kendall

Saint Paul, MN
$15 - $25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi!! My name is Kendall and I am currently a student in my undergrad studying health sciences. I currently live between Minnesota and Southern California! I’ve been working with kids and baby sitting for multiple years now. I have worked in childcare for summer camp programs, children’s hospitals, and Girl Scouts River Valleys.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Tia M. - Seeking Work in Saint Paul

Nanny Tia

Saint Paul, MN
$20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I'm a 3rd yr nursing student at UMN Twin cities! I love working with infants & toddlers. After passing the boards, I hope to become a NICU nurse, serving newborns in need!

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Audrey A. - Seeking Work in Saint Paul

Nanny Audrey

Saint Paul, MN
$17/hr
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Audrey and I am 18 years old and live in Saint Paul highland park. I have been coaching gymnastics for 4 years and I coach ages from 5-15. I am CPR, first aid, and concussion certified. An added bonus is I would love to take care of any pets in the home as well. I work at petco and I am very experienced with many animals. I am excited for any new opportunity and I would be very grateful to take care of your family!

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Kelly W. - Seeking Work in Saint Paul

Nanny Kelly

Saint Paul, MN
$20 - $30/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Kelly, I am 27 years old and very interested in becoming a nanny. I have been a babysitter quite a few times in the past. I currently live in Saint Paul. A little bit of my history: I have babysit for a 4 year old on and off a few years ago and have helped with baths, cleaning, meals and snacks, and putting them to bed, along with playing and reading stories to them and absolutely loved the experience. Some ages I’ve cared for are 15 month old, 2 yo, 4 yo, 5 yo and up. I look forward to hearing from you. Currently, I work as a paraprofessional in a 7th-12th grade charter school.
I also have an 2.5 year old and she is a bundle of joy and keeps me busy!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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