Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Smyrna, TN in 2026?

In Smyrna, TN, the average babysitter earns about $17.82 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $713/week or $3,089/month. Most Smyrna families pay somewhere in the $10–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$17.82/hr · Smyrna average

These numbers come from 68 live babysitter listings in Smyrna on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$713
$3,089
$37,066

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What drives the price

Most Smyrna families pay somewhere in the $10–$25/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)$17.82
2 kids~$18.82
3+ kids~$19.82+

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$19.79/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$18.16/hr
Occasional5–15 hrs/week$17.40/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.

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

Smyrna runs below the U.S. average for babysitter rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.

Hiring babysitters in Smyrna, TN typically costs about 5% more than the Tennessee average of $17/hour and 5% less than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Smyrna, TN and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Smyrna, TN
Smyrna, TN$18/hr
Tennessee$17/hr-4%
United States$19/hr+6%

Where Smyrna, TN fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $14.66/hour in Jackson to $23.41/hour in Franklin.

Below: how each compares to the Smyrna, TN average of $17.82/hour.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Smyrna, TN ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Smyrna, TN
1Franklin$23.41+31%
2Nashville$21.06+18%
3Knoxville$17.17-4%
4Murfreesboro$17.16-4%
5Chattanooga$16.97-5%
6Memphis$16.46-8%
7Cleveland$16.28-9%
8Clarksville$15.28-14%
9Johnson City$14.95-16%
10Jackson$14.66-18%
Most expensive nearby: Franklin ($23.41) Least expensive nearby: Jackson ($14.66)

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 Smyrna, TN

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 Smyrna, TN

    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 Smyrna, TN

68 active listings in Smyrna

Hailey B. - Seeking Work in Smyrna

Nanny Hailey

Smyrna, TN
$18.50/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Hailey Bove and I am 19 years old. I have had childcare experience for the past 2 years working with the ages 6 week olds-12 year olds, along with special needs kids. I absolutely adore working with children as I am currently majoring in early childhood special education. I am very flexible with my hours, can do light housekeeping, and meal preps. Feel free to reach out to me anytime!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Sa’Nyah D. - Seeking Work in Smyrna

Nanny Sa’Nyah

Smyrna, TN
$15 - $21/hr
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I'm a caring, responsible, and energetic babysitter who loves working with kids. I have experience working at KinderCare and coaching youth volleyball, so I'm comfortable caring for children of all ages. I enjoy creating a fun, safe, and engaging environment where kids can learn, play, and feel comfortable. Parents can count on me to be reliable, patient, and treat every child like they're my own.

Have experience working with

Infants
Tatianna V. - Seeking Work in Smyrna

Nanny Tatianna

Smyrna, TN
$17 - $20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I’m Tatianna. I’m an incoming nursing student who loves spending time with kids! I’m patient, dependable, and love making sure children feel safe and happy. Whether we’re playing or reading I’ll treat your little ones with care!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Lexie S. - Seeking Work in Smyrna

Nanny Lexie

Smyrna, TN
$17/hr
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is Lexie, some call me Lex! I am a kind person who is good with toddlers and infants. I have a 3 year old Nephew and a 6 month old Niece. Im very responsible and caring ❤️!
Caitlin H. - Seeking Work in Smyrna

Nanny Caitlin

Smyrna, TN
$17/hr
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Caitlin! I love kids and love watching them grow. I have kept kids for as long as i was able to, outside of family and close friends, i babysat for a family in 2019. I graduated highschool in 2023 and wanted to go to school to be a Speech and Language Pathologist, but until then id like to fulfill my childhood dream of being a “professional babysitter” lol. I currently work at a preschool in Smyrna with all ages, but mostly 12-36mo. I love my job but am looking towards becoming a private nanny and would love to help you and your family !

Have experience working with

Infants
Kennedy L. - Seeking Work in Smyrna

Nanny Kennedy

Smyrna, TN
$12 - $15/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hey! I’m Kennedy i’m a 15 year old high school student. I’ve grown up watching young kids because i’ve had nieces and nephews since i was even at a young age. I’m also CPR certified and First-Aid Certified.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Chelsea S. - Seeking Work in Smyrna

Nanny Chelsea

Smyrna, TN
$17/hr
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hello!
I am a teacher and mom currently looking to help out another family occasionally. I can provide tutoring, house cleaning, and meal prep. I can transport children if desired. have a minivan and car seats if needed.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Ash K. - Seeking Work in Smyrna

Nanny Ash

Smyrna, TN
$16/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hey! My name is Ash. A couple reasons why I think that you should consider me is that while I have no paid experience in childcare, I'm far from inexperienced. I have countless hours volunteering at the public library specifically with children, I'm very used to being able to handle stressful situations where kids are involved, as well as being able to get along with them and communicate well with them. In addition to that, I am also a tutor, mostly for younger children (around 2nd to 5th grade), so you could suffice to say that I am great at being beyond patient with children and am great at being able to meet them at their level no matter what the circumstance.
Charlyn L. - Seeking Work in Smyrna

Nanny Charlyn

Smyrna, TN
$16.50/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

i love watching kids/ babies.
i’m a senior in high school.
i’ve been watching kids since i was in middle school.
i love seeing kids happy and make sure their okay.
i’m very respectful and supportive.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
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