Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a child care provider cost in Erie, PA in 2026?
In Erie, PA, the average child care provider earns about $13.99 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $560/week or $2,425/month. Most Erie families pay somewhere in the $7–$21/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 237 live child care provider listings in Erie on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $560
- Monthly
- $2,425
- Annual
- $29,099
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What drives the price
Most Erie families pay somewhere in the $7–$21/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) | $13.99 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$14.99 |
| 3+ kids | ~$15.99+ |
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 | $15.02/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $14.29/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $14.18/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 Erie child care provider rates compare to state and national averages?
Erie runs below the U.S. average for child care provider rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.
Hiring child care in Erie, PA typically costs about 13% less than the Pennsylvania average of $16/hour and 17% less than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Erie, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Erie, PA | $14/hr | — |
| Pennsylvania | $16/hr | +15% |
| United States | $17/hr | +20% |
Where Erie, PA fits among nearby cities
The most expensive city for child care near Erie, PA is West Chester at $17.35/hour; the least expensive is Erie at $13.28/hour.
Below are the 7 most and 7 least expensive cities near Erie, PA and how each compares to Erie, PA's average of $13.99/hour.
Most expensive cities near Erie, PA
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Erie, PA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Chester | $17.35 | +24% | |
| 2 | Phoenixville | $17.13 | +22% | |
| 3 | Philadelphia | $16.56 | +18% | |
| 4 | Lansdale | $16.53 | +18% | |
| 5 | Bethlehem | $16.49 | +18% | |
| 6 | Pittsburgh | $15.99 | +14% | |
| 7 | Mechanicsburg | $15.18 | +9% |
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 Erie, PA
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 Erie, PA
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 Erie, PA
237 active listings in Erie
Nanny Aaneisseya
Nanny Aaneisseya
A little bit about me
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Nanny Kori
Nanny Kori
A little bit about me
Very sweet, caring, and loving. I love to go on walks to enjoy the nature I’m very good with kids I have a nephew I practically raised lol. But I am a caring, responsible, and experienced with children. I enjoy creating a safe and fun environment where kids can learn and grow. I am reliable, punctual, and committed to supporting the needs of the family.
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Nanny Nyunywi
Nanny Nyunywi
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Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Avyonah
Nanny Avyonah
A little bit about me
I’m also a proud mom to a sweet 6-month-old baby girl! We share our home with a friendly cat and dog, and I absolutely love making educational and sentimental crafts to keep little ones engaged and learning through play.
I’m currently offering babysitting in my home and would love to connect with families to see if we’re a good fit. Feel free to message me with any questions or to schedule a meet and greet!