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 $22.76 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $910/week or $3,945/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$22.76/hr · Portsmouth average
These numbers come from 52 live babysitter listings in Portsmouth on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $910
- Monthly
- $3,945
- Annual
- $47,341
Find babysitters near you
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
| 1 kid (baseline) | $22.76 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$23.76 |
| 3+ kids | ~$24.76+ |
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 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 19% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Portsmouth, NH |
|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth, NH | $23/hr | — |
| New Hampshire | $21/hr | -7% |
| United States | $19/hr | -16% |
Where Portsmouth, NH fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $19.58/hour in Rochester to $22.76/hour in Portsmouth.
Below: how each compares to the Portsmouth, NH average of $22.76/hour — Portsmouth, NH is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Portsmouth, NH | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portsmouth | $22.76 | — | |
| 2 | Dover | $22.66 | — | |
| 3 | Salem | $22.56 | -1% | |
| 4 | Nashua | $22.06 | -3% | |
| 5 | Bedford | $20.76 | -9% | |
| 6 | Manchester | $20.67 | -9% | |
| 7 | Merrimack | $20.64 | -9% | |
| 8 | Londonderry | $20.59 | -10% | |
| 9 | Concord | $20.40 | -10% | |
| 10 | Rochester | $19.58 | -14% |
● Most expensive nearby: Portsmouth ($22.76)● Least expensive nearby: Rochester ($19.58)
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 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:
- 01
Browse babysitter profiles in Portsmouth, NH
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 Portsmouth, NH
52 active listings in Portsmouth
Nanny Mackenzie
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
Nanny Sophia
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
Nanny Piper
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
Nanny Ash
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
Nanny Madison
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
Nanny Lauryn
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
Nanny Faith
Nanny Faith
Portsmouth, NH
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi my name is faith, Im 20 yrs old, i have more than 10 siblings so I definitely have experience in watching and taking care of kids haha, and I've wanted to be a babysitter/nanny since i was 9, also I can clean and cook a bit as well~
I have worked at a few restaurants, Im also good with pets, I worked at a dog daycare place before as well, I do not have a license yet but am practicing driving for it, but I do have a permit, thank you for taking time to read this! And I hope you consider me
I have worked at a few restaurants, Im also good with pets, I worked at a dog daycare place before as well, I do not have a license yet but am practicing driving for it, but I do have a permit, thank you for taking time to read this! And I hope you consider me
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Kadence
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
Nanny Tia
Nanny Tia
Portsmouth, NH
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
8 years experience
A little bit about me
I am a 23 year old girl who just moved downtown Portsmouth. I graduated college with a degree in theatre and often act in musicals downtown- I have various years and types of experience in childcare. From working in a preschool/daycare to teaching dance classes to children as young as 2.
Certifications
CPR
First Aid