Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Portsmouth, NH in 2026?

In Portsmouth, NH, the average babysitter earns about $22.95 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $918/week or $3,978/month. Most Portsmouth families pay somewhere in the $15–$32/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$22.95/hr · Portsmouth average

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

$918
$3,978
$47,736

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What drives the price

Most Portsmouth families pay somewhere in the $15–$32/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)$22.95
2 kids~$23.95
3+ kids~$24.95+

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
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$23.40/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$24.63/hr

Part-time often runs higher per hour than full-time. Short, fragmented schedules are harder for babysitters to fill alongside other jobs, so the per-hour rate compensates.

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

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

Hiring babysitters in Portsmouth, NH typically costs about 8% more than the New Hampshire average of $21/hour and 20% more than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Portsmouth, NH and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth, NH$23/hr—
New Hampshire$21/hr-8%
United States$19/hr-17%

Where Portsmouth, NH fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $19.51/hour in Rochester to $22.95/hour in Portsmouth.

Below: how each compares to the Portsmouth, NH average of $22.95/hour — Portsmouth, NH is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Portsmouth, NH ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth$22.95—
2Salem$22.80-1%
3Dover$22.76-1%
4Nashua$22.04-4%
5Bedford$21.56-6%
6Concord$20.88-9%
7Manchester$20.76-10%
8Merrimack$20.62-10%
9Londonderry$20.40-11%
10Rochester$19.51-15%
● Most expensive nearby: Portsmouth ($22.95)● Least expensive nearby: Rochester ($19.51)

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 Portsmouth, NH

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 Portsmouth, NH

    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 Portsmouth, NH

51 active listings in Portsmouth

Mackenzie A. - Seeking Work in Portsmouth

Nanny Mackenzie

Portsmouth, NH
$19 - $22/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi, my names mackenzie I recently moved from Illinois, I took care of about five children before ranging from one years old to nine years old. Im more than willing to take care of older children and be a good role model. Some of my hobbies include Camping, Rollerskating/Ice Skating, Swimming, and so on. I enjoy learning about what children are most curious about.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Sophia C. - Seeking Work in Portsmouth

Nanny Sophia

Portsmouth, NH
$25 - $45/hr
Part-time
Occasional
8 years experience

A little bit about me

I am a recent college graduate (2025) from George Washington University. I majored in geology and minored in biology. I have been babysitting since I was 12 and have held many positions since then working with children. I love being outside and learning, so encouraging a love of education and the outdoors is important to me!

Have experience working with

Infants
Katie Bell M. - Seeking Work in Portsmouth

Nanny Katie Bell

Portsmouth, NH
$25 - $30/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

I am an early childhood educator and live in Portsmouth as of this past winter. I just graduated with my Waldorf EC teaching certification, and I have nannied for many families over the last 20 years. I love cooking, painting, singing and being outdoors surrounded by nature. I am excited to explore new opportunities!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid

Recent reference

"To Whom It May Concern, I am writing this letter of recommendation on behalf of Katie Bell Moore for a nanny position. I am a kindergarten teacher at Seacoast Waldorf School, and Katie and I worked together during the 2024–2025 school year. Katie is a natural caregiver. She is warm and kind while also able to set loving boundaries. She is creative, fun-loving, and nurturing. The children loved her. They felt safe, loved and held by Katie. Katie is reliable and hardworking. She has a great sense of humor and an easy going personality. During her time with us, she worked seamlessly with myself and our other colleagues. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Katie and truly miss our days together with the children. I highly recommend Katie and know she will be a excellent nanny to any family. If you have any further questions, I love to talk more with you. My email is lisa@seacoastwaldorfschool.org. Warmly, Lisa Eggold"
- LIsa
Kali S. - Seeking Work in Portsmouth

Nanny Kali

Portsmouth, NH
$20 - $30/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I’m born and raised in Portsmouth, NH and just graduated San Diego State University with a business degree. I love kids and am also a yoga sculpt instructor so staying active is a priority!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Ash M. - Seeking Work in Portsmouth

Nanny Ash

Portsmouth, NH
$18 - $25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello, my name is Ash and I’m looking for a nannying or babysitting job! I speak Portuguese and English fluently and Spanish at a medium/advanced level. I have experience taking care of toddlers, elementary school kids, and kids with disabilities. Thank you for taking a time to look at my profile.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Piper O. - Seeking Work in Portsmouth

Nanny Piper

Portsmouth, NH
$21/hr
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi I’m Piper, and I have been babysitting for 4+ years. I love spending time with kids and I am open to a part-time job this spring and summer. I am able for driving, cooking, and overnights as well! I am currently a student at Portsmouth High School and will be attending Columbia University next year!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

CPR
Madison G. - Seeking Work in Portsmouth

Nanny Madison

Portsmouth, NH
$25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

I’ve always known I wanted to work with kids since I was a young girl. I loved playing teacher and grew into a nurturing person as I grew up. I am well organized, love crafting, helping children learn, and love the outdoors

Certification

First Aid
Lauryn G. - Seeking Work in Portsmouth

Nanny Lauryn

Portsmouth, NH
$21/hr
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

I am a freshman at Salve Regina, studying psychology. I am planning to work as a child therapist after university and graduate school. I absolutely adore working with children. I have experience volunteering with kids for the past 4 years. When I am home, I volunteer at the elementary school where my mom teaches kindergarten. I often volunteer in her classroom, and in the summer, I volunteered as a teacher's assistant with incoming kindergarteners who needed extra education. During my senior year of high school, I also volunteered at Pinkham Notch for a week, helping teach and guide 5th graders as we hiked through the mountains.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Kadence M. - Seeking Work in Portsmouth

Nanny Kadence

Portsmouth, NH
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

I’m 18 years old. I have 12 siblings and 5 of them are younger than me so I have a ton of experience with kids. I love kids and I will treat them as my own.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
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