Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a nanny cost in Watertown, NY in 2026?

In Watertown, NY, the average nanny earns about $18.51 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $740/week or $3,208/month. Most Watertown families pay somewhere in the $16–$23/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$18.51/hr · Watertown average

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

$740
$3,208
$38,501

Find nannies near you

What drives the price

Most Watertown families pay somewhere in the $16–$23/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)$18.51
2 kids~$19.51
3+ kids~$20.51+

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 Watertown nanny rates compare to state and national averages?

Watertown sits close to the national average for nanny rates.

Hiring nannies in Watertown, NY typically costs about 17% less than the New York average of $22/hour and 5% less than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly nannies rates compared across Watertown, NY and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Watertown, NY
Watertown, NY$19/hr—
New York$22/hr+21%
United States$19/hr+5%

Where Watertown, NY fits among nearby cities

The most expensive city for nannies near Watertown, NY is New York at $24.39/hour; the least expensive is Syracuse at $18.95/hour.

Below are the 5 most and 5 least expensive cities near Watertown, NY and how each compares to Watertown, NY's average of $18.51/hour.

Most expensive cities near Watertown, NY

Top 5 most expensive cities near Watertown, NY for hiring a nanny, ranked by average hourly rate.
#City$/hrvs. Watertown, NY
1New York$24.39+32%
2Flushing$23.89+29%
3Yonkers$23.44+27%
4Brooklyn$22.84+23%
5Queens$21.02+14%

Least expensive cities near Watertown, NY

Top 5 least expensive cities near Watertown, NY for hiring a nanny, ranked by average hourly rate.
#City$/hrvs. Watertown, NY
1Syracuse$18.95+2%
2Rochester$19.21+4%
3Buffalo$19.37+5%
4Albany$19.76+7%
5Staten Island$20.52+11%

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 Watertown, NY

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 Watertown, NY

    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 Watertown, NY

24 active listings in Watertown

Shannan S. - Seeking Work in Watertown

Nanny Shannan

Watertown, NY
$18/hr
Part-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Shannan, and I’m passionate about working with children and helping them feel safe, supported, and happy. I love being a sitter because I enjoy building connections with kids, watching them grow, and creating fun, meaningful experiences while also being someone families can trust and rely on.

I have several years of experience working with children of all ages. I’ve been babysitting for multiple years and have also worked in daycare settings for nearly three years. Through this, I’ve cared for infants, toddlers, and school-aged children, including middle schoolers.

I’m currently finishing up my degree in Childhood Education (general and special education), which helps me better understand children’s developmental and individual needs.

I bring patience, creativity, and strong communication skills to every family I work with. I’m experienced in managing routines, supporting homework, planning engaging activities, and creating a positive, structured environment.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Samanntha R. - Seeking Work in Watertown

Nanny Samanntha

Watertown, NY
$17.92/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is samanntha, I’ve been babysitting my 3 year old brother since I was 15 im 18 now, I have a autistic 1 year old brother, I love to cook, clean etc, im very fun, unfortunately I couldn’t finish school because of personal problems, but I am more than capable of doing everything a mother does, I hope you guys can consider since I recently had to leave my job, and wanna do something I love more.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Abigail K. - Seeking Work in Watertown

Nanny Abigail

Watertown, NY
$19 - $25/hr
Full-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Abby and I'm an experienced nanny with extensive infant and early childhood care. Provided full-time care for twin infants and a 3-year-old, managing daily routines, developmental activities, meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation to activities and appointments, and a safe, nurturing environment. Also served as a live-in nanny for a 6-month-old and 5-year-old, supporting daily schedules, developmental milestones, meal prep, housekeeping, transportation, and household routines while providing reliable, attentive care. I have 5+ years working with different families age ranging from infant- 6 years.

I love being a nanny because I enjoy helping children learn, grow, and reach new milestones. Creating a safe, nurturing, and fun environment while building strong trustworthy relationships with the families I work with is something I strive for.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Savanna H. - Seeking Work in Watertown

Nanny Savanna

Watertown, NY
$20/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

I am a caring, patient, and responsible person who genuinely enjoys being around children. I am dependable, a quick learner, and someone who takes my responsibilities seriously. I enjoy creating a fun, safe, and positive environment where children can feel comfortable and cared for. I am also a good listener and communicator, and I understand the importance of being attentive to each child’s individual needs. I would love the opportunity to work with children, gain more experience, and be someone families can trust to provide their children with great care.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Jordan L. - Seeking Work in Watertown

Nanny Jordan

Watertown, NY
$20/hr
Part-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is Jordan, I have 4 kids of my own ages from 12 to 4 all my kids are boys and in school. I am home health aide and have my cna. I am looking to help a family out..message me with any questions you may have.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Desiree C. - Seeking Work in Watertown

Nanny Desiree

Watertown, NY
$20/hr
Full-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello,
My name is Desiree. I have been first aid, CPR, and lifeguard certified for 6 years. I have experience baby sitting infants to 10 years old. I was also an instructor for swim lessons of all ages.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Juliana G. - Seeking Work in Watertown

Nanny Juliana

Watertown, NY
$20/hr
Part-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is Juliana! I have babysat kids for about 3 years now. I’ve always been really good with kids and i’ll help around the house. I’m a private caregiver for elderly people but I am leaving that job. I’m good and what I do and will always keep the kids safe.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Bailey W. - Seeking Work in Watertown

Nanny Bailey

Watertown, NY
$20/hr
Full-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi everyone! My name is Bailey! I am currently seeking a full-time nanny position for a wonderful family. A little about me! My fiance and I are soon to be moving to the Watertown area in New York as he will be stationed at Fort Drum. I graduated from the University of Minnesota, Mankato in December of 2024 with a Bachelor's degree in Child Development. I also have a certificate in Family Youth and Child Services. I have been working in the daycare setting since 2021 and have loved every second of it. I have experience as an infant teacher's aid, infant teacher's assistant, co-lead one year old teacher, and a lead toddler teacher. With all of my experience, I have not only grown as a teacher but also as a person. Although I love children of all ages, I have come to realize that my passion is to work with infants and/or young toddlers. Please reach out with any questions you may have. I look forward to hearing from you!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Izabella C. - Seeking Work in Watertown

Nanny Izabella

Watertown, NY
$19/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I’m Izabella cranmer I'm a reliable, responsible 14-year-old looking to help your family as a nanny. Growing up with siblings gave me plenty of hands-on experience, and I'm
comfortable cooking dinners, helping around the house, and caring for kids any age really.
My schedule is completely flexible for mornings, afternoons, or evenings, and I'd love to chat more in person about your family's needs and hourly rates!..

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Find Nannies Near Me

Related costs in Watertown NY

Popular services in Watertown, NY

Start your journey towards finding your perfect nanny

Get Started