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 $19.64 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $786/week or $3,404/month. Most Saint Paul families pay somewhere in the $11–$27/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 268 live babysitter listings in Saint Paul on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $786
- Monthly
- $3,404
- Annual
- $40,851
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What drives the price
Most Saint Paul families pay somewhere in the $11–$27/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.
Experience
Number of kids
| 1 kid (baseline) | $19.64 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$20.64 |
| 3+ kids | ~$21.64+ |
Hours & 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
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $21.36/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $19.69/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $19.66/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $20.79/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.
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 5% more than the Minnesota average of $19/hour and 3% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Saint Paul, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Paul, MN | $20/hr | — |
| Minnesota | $19/hr | -5% |
| 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 $16.91/hour in Mankato to $20.32/hour in Minneapolis.
Below: how each compares to the Saint Paul, MN average of $19.64/hour — Saint Paul, MN is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Saint Paul, MN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $20.32 | +3% | |
| 2 | Maple Grove | $20.22 | +3% | |
| 3 | Saint Paul | $19.64 | — | |
| 4 | Lakeville | $19.53 | -1% | |
| 5 | Rochester | $19.39 | -1% | |
| 6 | Woodbury | $19.26 | -2% | |
| 7 | St. Cloud | $17.98 | -8% | |
| 8 | Blaine | $17.88 | -9% | |
| 9 | Duluth | $17.59 | -10% | |
| 10 | Mankato | $16.91 | -14% |
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?
and enjoy flexible child care.
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:
- 01
Browse babysitter profiles in Saint Paul, MN
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 Saint Paul, MN
268 active listings in Saint Paul
Nanny Nel
Nanny Nel
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
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Nanny Yajaira
Nanny Yajaira
A little bit about me
Nanny Shanti
Nanny Shanti
A little bit about me
Outside of working with children, I enjoy theatre, music, and spending time with family. I’m excited to connect with a family that is looking for someone trustworthy, caring, and dependable to become a positive part of their child’s life!
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Olivia
Nanny Olivia
A little bit about me
I have always loved working with kids, where as I’ve been taking college education courses throughout highschool, an elementary internship, and a year of education classes at a university.
I love to be active and outside, and I also love to do crafts and just hang out! I am also a server and manager at a burger and ice cream restaurant.
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Eg
Nanny Eg
A little bit about me
I work full time, and am going to grad school part time, so I am looking mainly for weekends and some week nights!