Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a child care provider cost in Des Moines, IA in 2026?
In Des Moines, IA, the average child care provider earns about $16.21 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $648/week or $2,810/month. Most Des Moines families pay somewhere in the $8–$22/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 73 live child care provider listings in Des Moines on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $648
- Monthly
- $2,810
- Annual
- $33,717
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What drives the price
Most Des Moines families pay somewhere in the $8–$22/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) | $16.21 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$17.21 |
| 3+ kids | ~$18.21+ |
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 | $16.63/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $19.36/hr |
Part-time often runs higher per hour than full-time. Short, fragmented schedules are harder for child care to fill alongside other jobs, so the per-hour rate compensates.
How do Des Moines child care provider rates compare to state and national averages?
Des Moines runs below the U.S. average for child care provider rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.
Hiring child care in Des Moines, IA typically costs about 2% more than the Iowa average of $16/hour and 15% less than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | $16/hr | — |
| Iowa | $16/hr | -2% |
| United States | $19/hr | +17% |
Where Des Moines, IA fits among nearby cities
9 nearby cities have enough child care provider data to compare, with rates ranging from $15.01/hour in Cedar Falls to $17.95/hour in Waukee.
Below: how each compares to the Des Moines, IA average of $16.21/hour — Des Moines, IA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by child care provider rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Des Moines, IA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waukee | $17.95 | +11% | |
| 2 | Davenport | $16.95 | +5% | |
| 3 | Sioux City | $16.58 | +2% | |
| 4 | Iowa City | $16.49 | +2% | |
| 5 | Des Moines | $16.21 | — | |
| 6 | Ankeny | $16.11 | -1% | |
| 7 | Cedar Rapids | $16.11 | -1% | |
| 8 | Ames | $15.65 | -3% | |
| 9 | Cedar Falls | $15.01 | -7% |
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 Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines, IA
73 active listings in Des Moines
