Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a nanny cost in Ruston, LA in 2026?

In Ruston, LA, the average nanny earns about $13.41 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $536/week or $2,324/month. Most Ruston families pay somewhere in the $10–$20/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$13.41/hr · Ruston average

These numbers come from 24 live nanny listings in Ruston on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$536
$2,324
$27,893

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What drives the price

Most Ruston families pay somewhere in the $10–$20/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.


01

Experience

Experience is one of the biggest levers on a nanny's rate.
Nannies with 10+ years, or specialty skills like newborn care or multiple languages, typically command the highest hourly rates.

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
Hourly rate by number of kids
1 kid (baseline)$13.41
2 kids~$14.41
3+ kids~$15.41+

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
Hourly rate adjustment by 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.

How do Ruston nanny rates compare to state and national averages?

Ruston runs below the U.S. average for nanny rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.

Hiring nannies in Ruston, LA typically costs about 10% less than the Louisiana average of $15/hour and 29% less than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly nannies rates compared across Ruston, LA and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Ruston, LA
Ruston, LA$13/hr
Louisiana$15/hr+11%
United States$19/hr+42%

Where Ruston, LA fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $13.20/hour in Shreveport to $17.84/hour in Metairie.

Below: how each compares to the Ruston, LA average of $13.41/hour.

Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate

10 cities near Ruston, LA ranked by average hourly nanny rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Ruston, LA
1Metairie$17.84+33%
2New Orleans$17.61+31%
3Baton Rouge$15.67+17%
4Slidell$15.63+17%
5Hammond$14.37+7%
6Bossier City$14.32+7%
7Lafayette$14.06+5%
8Lake Charles$13.53+1%
9Monroe$13.33-1%
10Shreveport$13.20-2%
Most expensive nearby: Metairie ($17.84) Least expensive nearby: Shreveport ($13.20)

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.
Learn more about nanny sharing

How families use Nanny Lane to find a nanny in Ruston, LA

Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with nannies — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:

  1. 01

    Browse nanny profiles in Ruston, LA

    Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.

  2. 02

    Message the ones who look like a fit

    Reach out to the nannies whose experience and rate match what you're looking for.

  3. 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.

  4. 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 Ruston, LA

24 active listings in Ruston

Gina W. - Seeking Work in Ruston

Nanny Gina

Ruston, LA
$13/hr
Full-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Gina, I’m 42 and have years of caregiving experience. I am willing to relocate or move in .

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Alysa B. - Seeking Work in Ruston

Nanny Alysa

Ruston, LA
$13/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Alysa. I am a college student at LA Tech. I have "hundreds" of cousins that I have spent years looking after. We love going to the park, having picnics, going to the aquarium, or just staying in and playing.

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Jenna R. - Seeking Work in Ruston

Nanny Jenna

Ruston, LA
$15/hr
Full-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Jenna and I recently graduated from Louisiana Tech with a degree in Human Development and Family Science, where I studied child development and family relationships. I have experience working with children of different ages and truly enjoy helping them learn, grow, and feel supported. I plan to pursue a career as a Child Life Specialist, so caring for and connecting with children is something I’m very passionate about. I’m responsible, reliable, and a strong communicator who works well with both children and parents to create a safe, fun, and engaging environment.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Hannah L. - Seeking Work in Ruston

Nanny Hannah

Ruston, LA
$15/hr
Full-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Nurturing young minds is a true passion of mine. With five years of experience caring for children aged newborn to 11, I've developed a patient and friendly approach that kids respond to. My previous babysitting experiences solidified my desire to support families by providing reliable care. I am comfortable caring for up to three children at a time. I hold a college degree and maintain current certifications in CPR and First Aid. I enjoy playing outdoor sports, board games, and educational games. I prioritize open communication with parents, using verbal updates at pickup and always respecting your preferred method. I'm also very comfortable enforcing household rules. Being able to help children thrive brings me immense joy, and I hope to bring that same care and enthusiasm to your family.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid

Recent reference

"Hannah was a nanny for our son just prior to him starting daycare. She helped our family tremendously at a very crucial time. She is highly intelligent and adaptable, very punctual, very pleasant and caring towards children, and an excellent communicator. Our son was constantly giggling and having fun in her care. Her knowledge and experience in child care was apparent from the start and it was instrumental in our son's development. But more than anything, she was extremely reliable, which was exactly what we needed. If you are looking for a true child care professional who connects extremely well with children and ensures that they have fun while learning and developing, cares for them as if they are her own, communicates very effectively with parents, and provides unbelievable reliability/dependability, Hannah will be an excellent choice for your family."
- Greg
Maddie H. - Seeking Work in Ruston

Nanny Maddie

Ruston, LA
$15/hr
Full-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Maddie Heroy, and I am currently a Junior at La Tech studying education!! I am a certified teacher in the state of Louisiana, and I have a Montessori background as well. Tutoring is my expertise! Next year, I will be graduating to become a full-time teacher here in Ruston, and I am so excited to meet you and your family!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Pritishma A. - Seeking Work in Ruston

Nanny Pritishma

Ruston, LA
$15/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I love to be with children.i also have a small brother that I have babysitted.so I know how to handle them and I love to be organize.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Ashlynn C. - Seeking Work in Ruston

Nanny Ashlynn

Ruston, LA
$15/hr
Part-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I am a college student at Louisiana Tech University majoring in psychology. During my free time I love to watch TV, clean my apartment, or go run errands. While I’m home from college, I love spending time with my 2 year old nephew. I love being outside, playing with kids, and having fun with my friends on the water.

Certification

CPR
Aylhen P. - Seeking Work in Ruston

Nanny Aylhen

Ruston, LA
$14/hr
Full-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

I am a caring, responsible, and patient individual who truly enjoys working with children. I have a natural ability to connect with kids of different ages and create a safe, fun, and supportive environment for them to grow and learn. I am reliable, attentive, and understand the importance of maintaining routines while also encouraging creativity and play. Whether it’s helping with homework, preparing meals, or organizing activities, I always focus on the child’s well-being and happiness. I am committed to providing dependable care and building a positive relationship with both children and their families.

Certification

CPR
Riley L. - Seeking Work in Ruston

Nanny Riley

Ruston, LA
$13/hr
Part-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

I’m an Elementary Education major at Louisiana Tech! I love kids and have a passion working with them. I love to entertain and have fun! I can help with house work and homework.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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