Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Federal Way, WA in 2026?
In Federal Way, WA, the average babysitter earns about $21.78 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $871/week or $3,775/month. Most Federal Way families pay somewhere in the $17–$33/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$21.78/hr · Federal Way average
These numbers come from 62 live babysitter listings in Federal Way on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $871
- Monthly
- $3,775
- Annual
- $45,302
Find babysitters near you
What drives the price
Most Federal Way families pay somewhere in the $17–$33/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) | $21.78 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$22.78 |
| 3+ kids | ~$23.78+ |
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.
Full-time, part-time, and live-in babysitter rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $26.27/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $22.11/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.
How do Federal Way babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Federal Way runs above the U.S. average for babysitter rates, in line with most major metros.
Hiring babysitters in Federal Way, WA typically costs about 2% more than the Washington average of $21/hour and 15% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Federal Way, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Way, WA | $22/hr | — |
| Washington | $21/hr | -2% |
| United States | $19/hr | -13% |
Where Federal Way, WA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $18.57/hour in Kennewick to $25.60/hour in Seattle.
Below: how each compares to the Federal Way, WA average of $21.78/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Federal Way, WA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | $25.60 | +18% | |
| 2 | Everett | $23.17 | +6% | |
| 3 | Auburn | $21.87 | — | |
| 4 | Puyallup | $21.35 | -2% | |
| 5 | Tacoma | $21.15 | -3% | |
| 6 | Bellingham | $21.09 | -3% | |
| 7 | Olympia | $20.33 | -7% | |
| 8 | Vancouver | $20.30 | -7% | |
| 9 | Spokane | $19.40 | -11% | |
| 10 | Kennewick | $18.57 | -15% |
● Most expensive nearby: Seattle ($25.60)● Least expensive nearby: Kennewick ($18.57)
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 Federal Way, WA
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 Federal Way, WA
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 Federal Way, WA
62 active listings in Federal Way
Nanny Beth
Nanny Beth
Federal Way, WA
$25 - $30/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
6 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I have an AS degree in Baking and Pastry Arts from JWU and a BS degree in Nutrition from UNCO. I have over 6 years of Nanny experience, specializing in 0-3 years old and Special Needs children. Previous work includes King County WIC, Greeley-Evans School District 6 Nutrition Services, Weld Food Bank Summer Feeding Program, and UNCO Libraries.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Yerelisa
Nanny Yerelisa
Federal Way, WA
$25 - $40/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hello! My name is Yerelisa, and I am bilingual in both English and Spanish. While I do not currently have professional babysitting experience outside of my family, I have helped care for my nieces and have gained valuable experience supporting their daily needs, keeping them entertained, and ensuring they are safe and comfortable.
I am responsible, patient, caring, and genuinely enjoy spending time with children. I am eager to gain more experience working with families and would love the opportunity to provide reliable and attentive care for your children. Although my childcare experience has been within my family, I would love the chance to prove myself as a good candidate and demonstrate that I can provide a safe, positive, and fun environment for your children. I am committed to earning your trust and giving your family the best care possible.
I am responsible, patient, caring, and genuinely enjoy spending time with children. I am eager to gain more experience working with families and would love the opportunity to provide reliable and attentive care for your children. Although my childcare experience has been within my family, I would love the chance to prove myself as a good candidate and demonstrate that I can provide a safe, positive, and fun environment for your children. I am committed to earning your trust and giving your family the best care possible.
Nanny Mikelle
Nanny Mikelle
Federal Way, WA
$21/hr
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello! My name is Mikelle Stalder, and I am a student at Washington State University, majoring in communications. I am 19 years old and have been working with children for over five years, starting at age 13. I babysat consistently throughout high school, which helped me learn how to build routines, communicate clearly, and understand children’s needs.
I am comfortable handling things like tantrums, setting boundaries, and keeping kids engaged and entertained. I want children to feel safe, comfortable, and have fun while they are with me. Along with babysitting, I grew up around younger relatives and was often the one asked to care for them, so being around kids has always come naturally to me.
I also worked as a swim instructor, where I learned important safety skills and how to respond in emergencies. I take safety seriously and understand how much trust it takes to leave your children with someone. I am reliable, patient, and always aim to create a positive and safe environment.
I am comfortable handling things like tantrums, setting boundaries, and keeping kids engaged and entertained. I want children to feel safe, comfortable, and have fun while they are with me. Along with babysitting, I grew up around younger relatives and was often the one asked to care for them, so being around kids has always come naturally to me.
I also worked as a swim instructor, where I learned important safety skills and how to respond in emergencies. I take safety seriously and understand how much trust it takes to leave your children with someone. I am reliable, patient, and always aim to create a positive and safe environment.
Have experience working with
Infants
Nanny Yoanna
Nanny Yoanna
Federal Way, WA
$20/hr
Occasional
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi my name is Yoanna. I am currently graduating with a degree in Special Education this spring from Seattle Pacific University. I’m excited to bring my experience, enthusiasm, and knowledge i’ve gained. I’m looking for a part time summer job.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certification
CPR
Nanny Samantha
Nanny Samantha
Federal Way, WA
$25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Helloo!! My name is Samantha Hackney! I am currently a junior at GCU working towards getting my degree in Sports and Entertainment Management! I am originally from Seattle, Washington! I love babysitting because I enjoy working with kids and being someone they can trust. It makes me happy to see them learn, grow, and have fun while I’m caring for them.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Anne
Nanny Anne
Federal Way, WA
$25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Sidney
Nanny Sidney
Federal Way, WA
$17/hr
Occasional
3 years experience
A little bit about me
I'm 18 years old I grew up in a large family of nine I absolutely love children and I've been babysitting other people's kids for around 3 years ranging from the ages of 0months-14 years old as well as expeirience with my own siblings and I'm currently looking to connect with families and give a helping hand to anyone who needs it 🩷
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Annabelle-Jean
Nanny Annabelle-Jean
Federal Way, WA
$15/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Heyaa, I'm AJ. I'm currently working on getting reenrolled in a high school program at a college for my diploma and an associates degree in early childhood education and development. I love being there for people and I also love being around to help develop and grow into their own selves. - And also because of the nostalgic feeling of childhood. I really hope you consider me to be your nanny/sitter
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Sidney
Nanny Sidney
Federal Way, WA
$16.99/hr
Occasional
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Im a senior in high school and I've always been very passionate about kids i have little siblings myself but have also been a baby sitter for others for a total of 2 years. I believe everyone should have affordable child care and especially with someone they can trust. Personal connections are very important to me and I'd be very happy to meet new families.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid