Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a full-time nanny cost in San Diego, CA in 2026?
In San Diego, CA, the average full-time nanny earns about $24.48 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $979/week or $4,243/month. Most San Diego families pay somewhere in the $17–$35/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$24.48/hr · San Diego average
These numbers come from 579 live full-time nanny listings in San Diego on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $979
- Monthly
- $4,243
- Annual
- $50,918
Find full-time nannies near you
What drives the price
Most San Diego 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.
01
Experience
More experienced full-time nannys command higher rates. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $23.17/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $27.47/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
| 1 kid (baseline) | $24.48 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$25.48 |
| 3+ kids | ~$26.48+ |
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 full-time nanny rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $25.31/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $25.60/hr | See part-time rates → |
| Live-in | Set by family | $24.95/hr | See live-in rates → |
Part-time and full-time hourly rates are similar here — short schedules don't always command a premium when full-time openings are easy to fill.
Live-in rates are close to live-out here — but the package usually still includes room and board, so the all-in cost can be lower than it appears. The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the full-time nanny.
How do San Diego full-time nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
San Diego is one of the more expensive full-time nanny markets in the country.
Hiring full-time nannies in San Diego, CA typically costs about 4% more than the California average of $24/hour and 23% more than the United States average of $20/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA | $24/hr | — |
| California | $24/hr | -4% |
| United States | $20/hr | -19% |
Where San Diego, CA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough full-time nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $19.31/hour in Bakersfield to $29.16/hour in San Francisco.
Below: how each compares to the San Diego, CA average of $24.48/hour — San Diego, CA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by full-time nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $29.16 | +19% | |
| 2 | San Jose | $26.82 | +10% | |
| 3 | Oakland | $26.00 | +6% | |
| 4 | Los Angeles | $25.66 | +5% | |
| 5 | San Diego | $24.48 | — | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $21.82 | -11% | |
| 7 | Riverside | $20.67 | -16% | |
| 8 | Stockton | $20.08 | -18% | |
| 9 | Fresno | $19.50 | -20% | |
| 10 | Bakersfield | $19.31 | -21% |
● Most expensive nearby: San Francisco ($29.16)● Least expensive nearby: Bakersfield ($19.31)
Tips to find a great full-time nanny without overpaying
- Be flexible on experience. Some of the best full-time nannies on the platform have 3–5 years on the job and charge meaningfully less than experienced full-time nannies 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 full-time nannies 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 full-time nanny in San Diego, CA
Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with full-time nannies — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:
- 01
Browse full-time nanny profiles in San Diego, CA
Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.
- 02
Message the ones who look like a fit
Reach out to the full-time nannies 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 full-time nanny fits with your family in real time.
- 04
Hire your full-time nanny
If you'd rather not handle taxes and payroll yourself, our payroll team can take care of it.
Available full-time nannies in San Diego, CA
579 active listings in San Diego
Nanny Anja
Nanny Anja
San Diego, CA
Active Now
$20 - $40/hr
Full-time
Part-time
8 years experience
A little bit about me
I am a very ambitious person who loves to sing, dance, cook, and most of all laugh! I love working with children of all ages and have over eight years of experience. I am incredibly easy going and always open to learning new things. I am an adventurer at heart but i also enjoy a quiet life. I am social but need occasional alone time, i mean who doesn't? If i could describe myself in one word it would be creative! I am looking for a live in nanny position.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Katie
Nanny Katie
San Diego, CA
$30 - $50/hr
Full-time
6 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi families! I’m Katie! ❤️ Caring for children has always been a passion of mine, and I love building meaningful connections with the families I work with!
I have several years of experience nannying, babysitting, teaching pre-K, and providing respite care for children with autism. I love getting to know each child’s unique personality and making everyday moments special through crafts, outdoor adventures, imaginative play, reading, and dance parties!
I’m outgoing, nurturing, playful, and hands-on. My professional leadership background has also made me organized, dependable, patient, and adaptable. I value kindness, creativity, consistency, and creating a fun, safe environment where kids can thrive.
Outside of childcare, I love photography, animals, exploring new places, and being outdoors!
Above all, I want children to feel excited when I arrive and parents to feel confident knowing their little ones are in loving, capable hands. I’d love to become a trusted part of your family!
I have several years of experience nannying, babysitting, teaching pre-K, and providing respite care for children with autism. I love getting to know each child’s unique personality and making everyday moments special through crafts, outdoor adventures, imaginative play, reading, and dance parties!
I’m outgoing, nurturing, playful, and hands-on. My professional leadership background has also made me organized, dependable, patient, and adaptable. I value kindness, creativity, consistency, and creating a fun, safe environment where kids can thrive.
Outside of childcare, I love photography, animals, exploring new places, and being outdoors!
Above all, I want children to feel excited when I arrive and parents to feel confident knowing their little ones are in loving, capable hands. I’d love to become a trusted part of your family!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Michelle
Nanny Michelle
San Diego, CA
$25/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hi, I’m Shelly and I’ve been working with children for the past 12 years and find that preschool age is the most joyful to work with. I am also a mother to a 10 year old boy.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Jordan
Nanny Jordan
San Diego, CA
$25 - $30/hr
Full-time
Part-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello! My name is Jordan and I am a 28 year old Southern California native. I graduated from California Baptist University with a bachelors in Early Childhood Education. I have been working with children in an educational daycare setting for the last two years. My most previous year was spent running a 1-1.5 year old toddler classroom. Tending to the needs and assisting in the growth of little ones is a very rewarding experience. I am looking to work more personally with families in the comfort of their home and to help make their life balance more seamless.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Ericka
Nanny Ericka
San Diego, CA
$25/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hello, my name is Ericka. I am 34 years old and have been working with children for about 14 years. I worked as a nanny, at day cares, and as a teacher (infant room - 4 years). I absolutely love child care and watching each child grow, and helping them through each stage of life. I enjoy being outdoors, going for walks, taking the children to the zoo, Seaworld, aquariums, and parks if allowed. I enjoy reading books, music and movement, water play, puzzles, and playdough. I have currently been in the veterinary field working with animals as much second passion, so if you have a fur baby I will love and take care of them as well. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have. Thank you for taking the time to read about me, and I hope to meet you soon.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Natalie
Nanny Natalie
San Diego, CA
$25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
7 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Natalie, I am an SDSU graduate. I have worked with children of all ages for the past 7 years. I am a very patient and playful person and love working with kids.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Madelyn
Nanny Madelyn
San Diego, CA
$25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
I am from Oregon and moved to San Diego to be closer to my friends and boyfriend who all attend SDSU. My parents are both teachers and I was raised around kids all the time so getting paid to hangout with kids and help around the house would be a dream come true. I am doing online school right now and in December 2026 will be getting my associates in HealthCare Services. I’m not sure my plan after that but right now I’m wanting to save up money and get another job. I am also a barista at job bros and love it but it I got into babysitting full time I would consider leaving Dutch. I am super organized, respectful, kind, and extremely hard working. I know how busy people’s life’s can be so I would love to help you out in whatever you need!!
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Lyara
Nanny Lyara
San Diego, CA
$40 - $50/hr
Full-time
Part-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
I’m an experienced nanny and babysitter with 10+ years of childcare experience caring for children of different ages. I’m patient, reliable, creative, and love keeping kids engaged through activities, homework help, outings, and play. I’ve also handled school pickups, meals, extracurriculars, and household routines. I speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish, have my own car, and am comfortable with pets.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Sarah
Nanny Sarah
San Diego, CA
$25/hr
Full-time
8 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi, I’m Sarah Kuhns! I’m a caring, dependable, and nurturing nanny who truly enjoys spending time with children. I love creating a fun, safe, and loving environment where little ones can learn, play, and feel comfortable. I’m excited to build a trusting relationship with your family and provide the best care for your children!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid