Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a nanny cost in San Diego, CA in 2026?
In San Diego, CA, the average nanny earns about $23.39 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $936/week or $4,054/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$23.39/hr · San Diego average
These numbers come from 498 live nanny listings in San Diego on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $936
- Monthly
- $4,054
- Annual
- $48,651
Find 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 nannys command higher rates. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $21.92/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $26.14/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) | $23.39 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$24.39 |
| 3+ kids | ~$25.39+ |
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 nanny rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $24.48/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $23.31/hr | See part-time rates → |
| Live-in | Set by family | $23.91/hr | See live-in rates → |
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 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 nanny.
How do San Diego nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
San Diego is one of the more expensive nanny markets in the country.
Hiring nannies in San Diego, CA typically costs about 4% more than the California average of $22/hour and 23% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA | $23/hr | — |
| California | $22/hr | -4% |
| United States | $19/hr | -19% |
Where San Diego, CA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $18.73/hour in Fresno to $27.77/hour in San Francisco.
Below: how each compares to the San Diego, CA average of $23.39/hour — San Diego, CA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $27.77 | +19% | |
| 2 | San Jose | $25.13 | +7% | |
| 3 | Oakland | $24.99 | +7% | |
| 4 | Los Angeles | $24.45 | +5% | |
| 5 | San Diego | $23.39 | — | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $21.05 | -10% | |
| 7 | Riverside | $20.18 | -14% | |
| 8 | Stockton | $19.52 | -17% | |
| 9 | Bakersfield | $18.92 | -19% | |
| 10 | Fresno | $18.73 | -20% |
● Most expensive nearby: San Francisco ($27.77)● Least expensive nearby: Fresno ($18.73)
Tips to find a great nanny without overpaying
- Be flexible on experience. Some of the best nannies on the platform have 3–5 years on the job and charge meaningfully less than experienced 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 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 nanny in San Diego, CA
Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with nannies — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:
- 01
Browse 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 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 nanny fits with your family in real time.
- 04
Hire your nanny
If you'd rather not handle taxes and payroll yourself, our payroll team can take care of it.
Available nannies in San Diego, CA
498 active listings in San Diego
Nanny Faith
Nanny Faith
San Diego, CA
$23 - $30/hr
Full-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello! My name is Faith, and I’m a dependable, caring, and energetic caregiver who genuinely enjoys working with children. I recently graduated from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor’s degree in Professional Writing for New Media.
I believe every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and encouraged to grow. Whether we’re reading books, doing arts and crafts, playing outside, helping with homework, or exploring creative learning activities, I strive to make each day both fun and meaningful. I’m patient, responsible, and enjoy building genuine relationships with the children and families I work with.
In addition to childcare, I’m happy to help with light housekeeping, meal preparation, running errands, transportation, homework assistance, and keeping the household organized. My goal is to make life easier for parents while providing children with a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where they can learn, have fun, and feel cared for.
I believe every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and encouraged to grow. Whether we’re reading books, doing arts and crafts, playing outside, helping with homework, or exploring creative learning activities, I strive to make each day both fun and meaningful. I’m patient, responsible, and enjoy building genuine relationships with the children and families I work with.
In addition to childcare, I’m happy to help with light housekeeping, meal preparation, running errands, transportation, homework assistance, and keeping the household organized. My goal is to make life easier for parents while providing children with a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where they can learn, have fun, and feel cared for.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Anna
Nanny Anna
San Diego, CA
$30 - $35/hr
Full-time
7 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Anna. I am a recent college graduate with a passion for childcare and building relationships with my nanny families! I love spending time outside and exploring new places and hobbies. Safety is my top priority and I really value building close relationships with the families that I work with.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Liana
Nanny Liana
San Diego, CA
Active Now
$22 - $26/hr
Part-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello, my name is Liana Solorio and I am a Grad student at UCSD studying to get my Masters in Education and elementary teaching credential! I am currently a student-teacher which means I am looking for a job for the weekends where I can continue to work with children! I have a wide range of working with many aged students doing things such as subbing/teaching, tutoring, lifeguarding, one-on-one child care, and party entertainment! I would love to get to know you and your child as we work together to create the best care plan!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Alize
Nanny Alize
San Diego, CA
$23/hr
Part-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Allie, and I'm a responsible, caring, and dependable individual with experience working with children in educational and supportive environments. I enjoy creating a safe, fun, and engaging atmosphere while helping children learn and grow. I would love the opportunity to support your family and build a positive relationship with your children.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Tiana
Nanny Tiana
San Diego, CA
$25 - $35/hr
Full-time
9 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi families! I’m excited to introduce myself and share a bit about who I am and my experience with childcare.
My hobbies include painting, working out outdoors, spending time with friends, decorating, and cooking and baking.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and have over 9 years of experience working with infants and elementary-aged children. Throughout my career, I’ve supported students in developing social-emotional learning skills as well as academic skills in math, reading, and science. I’ve also had the opportunity to teach outdoor education, which I absolutely love.
My teaching approach is very hands-on, as I’ve found that children learn best when they are actively engaged—especially since it’s easy for them to get distracted. I’m comfortable managing classrooms of up to 20 children, but nannying has always felt like a true calling to me because it allows for a more intentional, and personalized approach to caregiving.
My hobbies include painting, working out outdoors, spending time with friends, decorating, and cooking and baking.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and have over 9 years of experience working with infants and elementary-aged children. Throughout my career, I’ve supported students in developing social-emotional learning skills as well as academic skills in math, reading, and science. I’ve also had the opportunity to teach outdoor education, which I absolutely love.
My teaching approach is very hands-on, as I’ve found that children learn best when they are actively engaged—especially since it’s easy for them to get distracted. I’m comfortable managing classrooms of up to 20 children, but nannying has always felt like a true calling to me because it allows for a more intentional, and personalized approach to caregiving.
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Susanna
Nanny Susanna
San Diego, CA
$23/hr
Full-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello! I am an outdoor educator and experienced nanny. I love working with kids of all ages and seeing the creative ways their minds work. My favorite ways to care for kids are spending time outside, reading books together, and following their interests. Please let me know if you have any questions for me!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Mustafa
Nanny Mustafa
San Diego, CA
$17 - $18/hr
Full-time
Part-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
My name is Mustafa. I am 16 years old. I am from Afghanistan. I am in ninth grade. I have been babysitting for 11 months. I take care of children. I love to play with kids, and I have a 7-year-old brother. I like to play with my brother, just like how I play with babysitters.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certification
First Aid
Nanny Lizbeth
Nanny Lizbeth
San Diego, CA
$21 - $25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello, my name is Lizbeth. I am 21 years old, and I have experience working with children ranging from ages 5-12, grades tk-6 for 3 years. I am bls/cpr/first aid certified. I enjoy working with children and will be study child development in college to pursue a career in Child Development Specialist. I have full open availability and willing to work weekends if necessary.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Reese
Nanny Reese
San Diego, CA
$25 - $30/hr
Full-time
1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hi my name is Reese Lamp. I am from El Cajon and am 20 years old. I am the second of six children which has given me lots of experience with children of all ages. My four younger siblings are ages 8-15 and I have helped them grow up and taken care of them. I babysit a lot and love being with kids. I am attending college in Utah but will be home for the summer from June 22 to August 15 and am looking to work as much as possible. I have a car and am willing to drive and be flexible with my schedule.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs