Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a child care provider cost in Los Angeles, CA in 2026?
In Los Angeles, CA, the average child care provider earns about $24.63 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $985/week or $4,269/month. Most Los Angeles families pay somewhere in the $17–$35/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 1,090 live child care provider listings in Los Angeles on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $985
- Monthly
- $4,269
- Annual
- $51,230
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What drives the price
Most Los Angeles families pay somewhere in the $17–$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) | $24.63 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$25.63 |
| 3+ kids | ~$26.63+ |
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 child care provider rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $26.17/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $24.54/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $24.59/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 child care provider.
How do Los Angeles child care provider rates compare to state and national averages?
Los Angeles is one of the more expensive child care provider markets in the country.
Hiring child care in Los Angeles, CA typically costs about 9% more than the California average of $23/hour and 30% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $25/hr | — |
| California | $23/hr | -8% |
| United States | $19/hr | -23% |
Where Los Angeles, CA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough child care provider data to compare, with rates ranging from $18.96/hour in Bakersfield to $27.98/hour in San Francisco.
Below: how each compares to the Los Angeles, CA average of $24.63/hour — Los Angeles, CA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by child care provider rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $27.98 | +14% | |
| 2 | San Jose | $25.06 | +2% | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $24.63 | — | |
| 4 | San Diego | $23.52 | -5% | |
| 5 | Long Beach | $22.20 | -10% | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $20.93 | -15% | |
| 7 | Stockton | $19.63 | -20% | |
| 8 | Fresno | $19.10 | -22% | |
| 9 | Modesto | $19.01 | -23% | |
| 10 | Bakersfield | $18.96 | -23% |
Tips to find a great child care provider without overpaying
- Be flexible on experience. Some of the best child care on the platform have 3–5 years on the job and charge meaningfully less than experienced child care 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 child care 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 child care provider in Los Angeles, CA
Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with child care — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:
- 01
Browse child care provider profiles in Los Angeles, CA
Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.
- 02
Message the ones who look like a fit
Reach out to the child care 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 child care provider fits with your family in real time.
- 04
Hire your child care provider
If you'd rather not handle taxes and payroll yourself, our payroll team can take care of it.
Available child care in Los Angeles, CA
1,090 active listings in Los Angeles
Nanny Christina
Nanny Christina
A little bit about me
I previously worked at a Reggio Emilia school, where I was a lead teacher and primarily worked with children ages two to three. Through this experience, I learned how to use nature as a “third teacher,” encourage creativity, and let children help guide their learning through their own interests, ideas, and questions. I enjoy creating a safe and positive environment where children can explore, play, and learn at their own pace!
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Thoon
Nanny Thoon
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Annie
Nanny Annie
A little bit about me
Most recent experience:
Currently working with special needs children as a nanny via LA social services. But looking to transition to full time with new families as my hours have gone from full to part time.
From [phone number hidden] I taught interactive theatre and media arts to students ages 10-18.
During the pandemic I nannied on rotation for 5 families and for 5 years before the pandemic I was senior staff at a daycare.
I have lots of experience with down syndrome, autistic, and other special needs children. As well as experience with both fraternal and identical twins. Especially with boy girl twins.
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Jekaili
Nanny Jekaili
A little bit about me
Certification
Nanny Paulina
Nanny Paulina
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Nicole
Nanny Nicole
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Jenna
Nanny Jenna
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Alejandra
Nanny Alejandra
A little bit about me
Certification
Nanny Dana
Nanny Dana
A little bit about me
I also have hands-on experience caring for dogs, cats, fish, and birds, and I genuinely enjoy working with animals of all kinds. I have my own car, don't smoke, and treat both homes and pets with respect and care. A resume and references are available upon request.