Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Richmond, VA in 2026?

In Richmond, VA, the average babysitter earns about $18.91 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $756/week or $3,278/month. Most Richmond families pay somewhere in the $12–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$18.91/hr · Richmond average

These numbers come from 585 live babysitter listings in Richmond on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$756
$3,278
$39,333

Find babysitters near you

What drives the price

Most Richmond families pay somewhere in the $12–$25/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.


01

Experience

More experienced babysitters command higher rates. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $17.88/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $20.93/hour.
Avg hourly rate by years of experience

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)$18.91
2 kids~$19.91
3+ kids~$20.91+

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$20.18/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$18.91/hr
Occasional5–15 hrs/week$18.35/hr
Live-inSet by family$18.85/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 arrangements look cheaper per hour because room and board are part of the package. The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the babysitter.

Browse babysitters

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

Richmond sits close to the national average for babysitter rates.

Hiring babysitters in Richmond, VA typically costs about 3% more than the Virginia average of $18/hour and 1% more than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Richmond, VA and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Richmond, VA
Richmond, VA$19/hr
Virginia$18/hr-2%
United States$19/hr-1%

Where Richmond, VA fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $15.85/hour in Lynchburg to $22.61/hour in Arlington.

Below: how each compares to the Richmond, VA average of $18.91/hour — Richmond, VA is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Richmond, VA ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Richmond, VA
1Arlington$22.61+20%
2Alexandria$21.36+13%
3Charlottesville$20.18+7%
Richmond$18.91
5Fredericksburg$17.76-6%
6Virginia Beach$17.74-6%
7Norfolk$17.66-7%
8Chesapeake$17.10-10%
9Newport News$17.09-10%
10Lynchburg$15.85-16%
Most expensive nearby: Arlington ($22.61) Least expensive nearby: Lynchburg ($15.85)

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 Richmond, VA

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 Richmond, VA

    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 Richmond, VA

585 active listings in Richmond

Lauren P. - Seeking Work in Richmond

Nanny Lauren

Richmond, VA
$16 - $20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I'm Lauren! I Have worked as a babysitter before both paid and unpaid. I have always been good with kids and loved helping out with them. I love to do crafts and art projects. I also enjoy going outside and being out in nature.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
V L. - Seeking Work in Richmond

Nanny V

Richmond, VA
$20 - $21/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I am a 19 year old college student looking for a job to pay off my college tuition a little bit about myself I love to color , anything that has to do with nature, love kids ( have a nephew and niece of my own that I treat like they were my own kids ) love to eat , love to teach , great at planning fun activities, love to do hair , a professional photographer/model , I run a clothing brand , I’m currently working on getting into law school, I’m from Brooklyn ny , I go to Virginia state university

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Jaidyn B. - Seeking Work in Richmond

Nanny Jaidyn

Richmond, VA
$15 - $30/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I am a 16-year-old student-athlete and sophomore at Manchester High School, where I maintain AB Honor Roll status, serve as class president, and participate in multiple clubs and activities. I work very well with children and am known for being trustworthy, patient, responsible, organized, and creative. I also have strong communication and problem-solving skills and am very observant and dependable.

Although I do not have formal professional experience working with children yet, I have been around and helped care for young children my whole life. I genuinely enjoy creating positive connections with kids and providing a safe, supportive, and fun environment for them. I would love the opportunity to gain experience, build bonds, and be someone families can rely on.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Ariyanna B. - Seeking Work in Richmond

Nanny Ariyanna

Richmond, VA
$16 - $20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello, my name is Ariyanna! I am a very energetic and nurturing sitter with 4+ years of childcare experience between working as a babysitter for family, as well as an assistant teacher in a daycare working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. There, I assisted with mealtime, diapering and cleaning while also having a small hand in lesson planning and teaching crafts, so I am willing to create fun and educational activities for me and your child to do. I have my own personal car, so transportation will never be an issue, and running errands for you is within my ability if needed. I am also first aid and cpr certified and will never mind hanging out with a furry friend or three!! :-)

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Lauryn G. - Seeking Work in Richmond

Nanny Lauryn

Richmond, VA
$17 - $25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Lauryn, and I’m someone who truly enjoys caring for and supporting children. I have about two years of babysitting experience working with kids ranging from 5 months to 5 years old, so I’m very comfortable with both infants and toddlers. I naturally have a nurturing personality and love creating a safe, engaging, and loving environment where kids can feel happy and cared for.

I’m currently in nursing school, which has strengthened my patience, attentiveness, and understanding of health and safety—skills I bring into childcare as well. On weekends, I work as a server, which has also helped me build strong communication and multitasking skills.

I’m reliable, adaptable, and genuinely enjoy building connections with families while helping children grow and thrive

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Amber H. - Seeking Work in Richmond

Nanny Amber

Richmond, VA
$17.98/hr
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Amber, and I’m a compassionate and experienced caregiver with a strong background in supporting children with special needs. I have over five years of experience working with the autistic community and have completed my 40-hour Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) training. I’m also certified in Basic Life Saving.

I hold a graduate degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and a bachelor’s degree in ABA and Autism Studies. I am currently continuing my education in a Master of Education program in Special Education.

My approach is patient, structured, and child-centered. I have hands-on experience implementing behavior intervention plans designed by BCBAs and helping children build communication, daily living, and social skills in a supportive and encouraging environment. I believe in meeting each child where they are and celebrating progress at every step.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Kennedy J. - Seeking Work in Richmond

Nanny Kennedy

Richmond, VA
$19/hr
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, my name is Kennedy!
I’m a fun, patient caregiver who loves supporting little ones from newborn snuggles to toddler adventures. I keep routines steady, playtime creative, and safety at the center of everything. I bring energy, care, and a gentle touch to help your child feel happy, secure, and curious.

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Sharmain S. - Seeking Work in Richmond

Nanny Sharmain

Richmond, VA
$18.25/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Currently a new mom of an almost 2 year old. I currently work full time as a Medical Assistant. I am continuing my education in healthcare and just need more money to support my family. I would also need to bring my son with me if chosen to care for your little one/s. I appreciate the opportunity!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Kamryn K. - Seeking Work in Richmond

Nanny Kamryn

Richmond, VA
$18/hr
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is Kamryn! I’m currently a junior at Virginia Commonwealth University with a major in Cinema.

I’ve been a babysitter since I was about 13 years old, staring out with family friends. I have about 3 years of paid babysitting work, including routine schedule and occasional.

Along with childcare, I offer pet sitting and light housekeeping work for families.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Find Nannies Near Me

Related costs in Richmond VA

Popular services in Richmond, VA

Start your journey towards finding your perfect babysitter

Get Started