Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in New York, NY in 2026?
In New York, NY, the average babysitter earns about $23.99 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $960/week or $4,158/month. Most New York families pay somewhere in the $16–$35/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 4,420 live babysitter listings in New York on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $960
- Monthly
- $4,158
- Annual
- $49,899
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What drives the price
Most New York families pay somewhere in the $16–$35/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) | $23.99 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$24.99 |
| 3+ kids | ~$25.99+ |
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 | $25.44/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $24.25/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $24.19/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $24.61/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 New York babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
New York is one of the more expensive babysitter markets in the country.
Hiring babysitters in New York, NY typically costs about 12% more than the New York average of $21/hour and 28% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. New York, NY |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $24/hr | — |
| New York | $21/hr | -11% |
| United States | $19/hr | -22% |
Where New York, NY fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $18.65/hour in Syracuse to $23.99/hour in New York.
Below: how each compares to the New York, NY average of $23.99/hour — New York, NY is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. New York, NY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $23.99 | — | |
| 2 | Brooklyn | $22.54 | -6% | |
| 3 | Flushing | $22.49 | -6% | |
| 4 | Queens | $21.25 | -11% | |
| 5 | The Bronx | $20.71 | -14% | |
| 6 | Staten Island | $20.28 | -15% | |
| 7 | Albany | $19.41 | -19% | |
| 8 | Rochester | $19.04 | -21% | |
| 9 | Buffalo | $19.03 | -21% | |
| 10 | Syracuse | $18.65 | -22% |
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 New York, NY
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 New York, NY
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 New York, NY
4,420 active listings in New York
Nanny Fiona
Nanny Fiona
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Nanny Daheana
Nanny Daheana
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Nanny Alana
Nanny Alana
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Nanny Dajah
Nanny Dajah
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Have experience working with
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Nanny Kristine
Nanny Kristine
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Nanny Karla
Nanny Karla
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Nanny Daniella
Nanny Daniella
A little bit about me
I grew up in a small town in Australia where I cared for four ducks and also volunteered at my local horse riding club. I am an organized and patient person, and I would love to help support your lifestyle in caring for your loved ones.