Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a nanny cost in Boston, MA in 2026?
In Boston, MA, the average nanny earns about $22.61 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $904/week or $3,919/month. Most Boston families pay somewhere in the $15–$35/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$22.61/hr · Boston average
These numbers come from 1,212 live nanny listings in Boston on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $904
- Monthly
- $3,919
- Annual
- $47,029
Find nannies near you
What drives the price
Most Boston families pay somewhere in the $15–$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 $21.13/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $26.53/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) | $22.61 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$23.61 |
| 3+ kids | ~$24.61+ |
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 | $24.11/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $21.93/hr | See part-time rates → |
| Live-in | Set by family | $22.72/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 Boston nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
Boston is one of the more expensive nanny markets in the country.
Hiring nannies in Boston, MA typically costs about 8% more than the Massachusetts average of $21/hour and 35% more than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Boston, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | $23/hr | — |
| Massachusetts | $21/hr | -8% |
| United States | $17/hr | -26% |
Where Boston, MA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $17.42/hour in Fall River to $22.61/hour in Boston.
Below: how each compares to the Boston, MA average of $22.61/hour — Boston, MA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Boston, MA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | $22.61 | — | |
| 2 | Framingham | $22.58 | — | |
| 3 | Nantucket | $22.38 | -1% | |
| 4 | Revere | $21.65 | -4% | |
| 5 | Worcester | $19.68 | -13% | |
| 6 | Lowell | $19.12 | -15% | |
| 7 | Brockton | $18.54 | -18% | |
| 8 | New Bedford | $17.82 | -21% | |
| 9 | Springfield | $17.54 | -22% | |
| 10 | Fall River | $17.42 | -23% |
● Most expensive nearby: Boston ($22.61)● Least expensive nearby: Fall River ($17.42)
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 Boston, MA
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 Boston, MA
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 Boston, MA
1,212 active listings in Boston
Nanny Alana
Nanny Alana
Boston, MA
$25 - $40/hr
Full-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Alana. I graduated with my early education certification from Southeastern Vocational High School. Since then I have been working in a day care with children ages 4mo-5ys. I grew up with 3 younger siblings that I babysat frequently and I now have a baby of my own that is 9 months old!
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Perla
Nanny Perla
Boston, MA
$23 - $30/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hello, I am Perla. I have 10 years of Full time nanny experience in New york city, New Jersey and Boston, Mass. I retired as a nanny for a few years and decided to go back. I would say it is my calling. I have always loved working with children ages 3 months to 4 years old. I am all about education not just babysitting. I am not a sitter but a nanny who focuses on Montessori style education.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Skye
Nanny Skye
Boston, MA
$20 - $25/hr
Full-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello my name is Skye! I recently graduated from Wentworth Institute of technology with a degree in Architecture. I have always had a love for taking care of children. I have volunteered as a church summer counselor for young children and was able to nanny 2 lovely families with children ages 3-9. I have a car and love the outdoors.
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Ayanna
Nanny Ayanna
Boston, MA
$25 - $45/hr
Full-time
6 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I'm Ayanna and I've lived in Boston my whole life. I have two little brothers and lots of younger cousins, so since I was little I've been helping out with kids, whether on family vacation, at my church's Sunday school, or on my parent's date nights. As I got older, I began babysitting and have loved getting to know and spend time with so many different families for over six years. When I'm not babysitting or studying, I dedicate my time to social justice initiatives as the Co-Head of the Micah Conference, as an action group leader for my anti-human trafficking awareness group, and as the Trinity Institute Prefect for Leadership and Social Justice.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Recent reference
"Ayanna has been an incredible babysitter for our family, and we highly recommend her to anyone looking for dependable childcare. She started babysitting our two boys after her older sister went away to college, and the transition was seamless. Since she is also our neighbor, she has been a trusted and familiar presence in our children’s lives. Our boys are 2 and 4 years old and extremely high energy, but Ayanna handles them with patience, confidence, and kindness. She is fully capable of managing dinner time, bath time, bedtime, and everything in between. Our kids love spending time with her because she is engaging, creative, and genuinely attentive. She keeps them active with games, outdoor play, crafts, and reading while also making sure they stay safe and on schedule. Ayanna is responsible, mature, communicative, punctual, and has earned our complete trust with our children and in our home"
- Zack
Nanny Jacquelinne
Nanny Jacquelinne
Boston, MA
Active Now
$25 - $26/hr
Full-time
1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Jacquelinne Lugo, and I’ll be arriving in Boston in mid-July. I’m looking for a live-in nanny position. I’m responsible, organized, caring, and passionate about working with children. I can also help with household tasks and create a safe, positive, and loving daily environment for your family.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Isabella
Nanny Isabella
Boston, MA
$22/hr
Full-time
5 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Isabella. I am a caring, responsible, and patient person who truly enjoys spending time with children. I recently moved to the United States and I am excited to work as a babysitter.
I have experience taking care of children, helping with daily routines such as meals, playtime, and keeping a safe and happy environment. I am reliable, organized, and I always make sure children feel comfortable and well cared for.
I am also willing to help with light housekeeping and follow the family’s routine. I am eager to learn and improve my English while providing the best care possible.
Thank you for considering me. I would love the opportunity to help your family!
I have experience taking care of children, helping with daily routines such as meals, playtime, and keeping a safe and happy environment. I am reliable, organized, and I always make sure children feel comfortable and well cared for.
I am also willing to help with light housekeeping and follow the family’s routine. I am eager to learn and improve my English while providing the best care possible.
Thank you for considering me. I would love the opportunity to help your family!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Juli
Nanny Juli
Boston, MA
$23/hr
Part-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I recently moved to the Boston area, a city I’ve always dreamed of living in. I’m a warm and reliable caregiver with about three years of nanny experience, and I’ve also been babysitting for families since I was a young teenager. I love helping kids stay engaged with fun activities and creating a positive environment for them. In my free time, I enjoy exploring coffee shops, seeing theater, and spending time with friends.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Sasha
Nanny Sasha
Boston, MA
$22/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hi families! I’m Sasha, a dependable and patient nanny who truly enjoys working with children. I love creating engaging activities, helping with routines, and making sure kids feel happy, safe, and cared for.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Aniyah
Nanny Aniyah
Boston, MA
$23/hr
Full-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello, my name is Aniyah. I’m 20 years old . I’m currently in college to get my degree to become a child psychologist. I have worked with children in so many parts of my life. From being 13 and asked may I babysit my moms friends kids. To working at jobs where parents suffer from addiction and need extra support with their kids. Children care is my passion and something I want to do for the rest of my life. Thank you for reading about me.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certification
CPR