Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a nanny cost in Charleston, SC in 2026?

In Charleston, SC, the average nanny earns about $21.42 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $857/week or $3,713/month. Most Charleston families pay somewhere in the $7–$30/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$21.42/hr · Charleston average

These numbers come from 175 live nanny listings in Charleston on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$857
$3,713
$44,554

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What drives the price

Most Charleston families pay somewhere in the $7–$30/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 $19.88/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $23.38/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
Hourly rate by number of kids
1 kid (baseline)$21.42
2 kids~$22.42
3+ kids~$23.42+

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.

Full-time, part-time, and live-in nanny rates

ArrangementTypical hoursAverage rate
Full-time35–50 hrs/week$22.69/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$20.38/hr
Live-inSet by family$22.87/hr

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 here run higher than live-out — uncommon, but typically reflects specialty demand for around-the-clock or live-in newborn care. The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the nanny.

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

Charleston runs above the U.S. average for nanny rates, in line with most major metros.

Hiring nannies in Charleston, SC typically costs about 27% more than the South Carolina average of $17/hour and 13% more than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly nannies rates compared across Charleston, SC and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC$21/hr
South Carolina$17/hr-21%
United States$19/hr-11%

Where Charleston, SC fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $14.97/hour in Florence to $21.42/hour in Charleston.

Below: how each compares to the Charleston, SC average of $21.42/hour — Charleston, SC is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate

10 cities near Charleston, SC ranked by average hourly nanny rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Charleston, SC
Charleston$21.42
2Summerville$18.80-12%
3Greenville$18.04-16%
4Myrtle Beach$17.79-17%
5Simpsonville$17.57-18%
6Columbia$16.24-24%
7Conway$15.87-26%
8Lexington$15.35-28%
9Spartanburg$15.14-29%
10Florence$14.97-30%
Most expensive nearby: Charleston ($21.42) Least expensive nearby: Florence ($14.97)

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 Charleston, SC

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 Charleston, SC

    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 Charleston, SC

175 active listings in Charleston

Grace A. - Seeking Work in Charleston

Nanny Grace

Charleston, SC
$16 - $25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I’m a recent college grad with a degree in arts management from CofC. I have experience with 7 year olds to 13 year olds with paid experience, but have been taking care of my younger sister for my parents since she was born (she’s 11 now!). I’m very patient, never angry, and love to get kids off devices and outside. I used to work music festivals and have experience with high stress situations and medical emergencies (currently in the process of getting cpr/first aid certified). I have a car and am looking for a nanny position as I continue the job search post grad!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Bae C. - Seeking Work in Charleston

Nanny Bae

Charleston, SC
$22 - $30/hr
Full-time
Part-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Bae Corley, and I’m currently a student at The University of Alabama, where I’m studying Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise Science. I’ll be a senior this fall, and I’m passionate about health, wellness, and staying active. I currently work at a fitness studio as and instructor plus I also just completed my first marathon!!
I love spending time outdoors, staying active, and creating fun experiences for children. I have a lot of childcare experience and truly enjoy being with kids while providing a safe, caring, and encouraging environment. I come from a stable, loving family and my faith is a very important part of who I am. I would love the opportunity to support a family in Charleston!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Chloe G. - Seeking Work in Charleston

Nanny Chloe

Charleston, SC
$20 - $25/hr
Full-time
7 years experience

A little bit about me

I am an energetic individual who loves helping others in any way possible. I work well in high-pressure situations. I am a caring and dependable nanny with 7+ years of experience caring for children ages 0–14. I love creating safe, engaging environments and supporting child development.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid

Recent reference

"Chloe was an amazing nanny for our family. She was always responsible, dependable, and on time, but also so much fun with the kids. She kept them entertained with activities, games, and creative play, and they absolutely adored her. Even now, the kids still rave about how much they loved spending time with Chloe. She has a wonderful way of connecting with children while still maintaining structure and responsibility. I would highly recommend her to any family looking for someone caring, trustworthy, and engaging. We still use Chloe for babysitting needs!"
- Kassie
Caroline F. - Seeking Work in Charleston

Nanny Caroline

Charleston, SC
$20 - $25/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I'm a young professional with a background in healthcare marketing looking to nanny for the summer. I have 10+ years of nanny experience with children of all ages, primarily newborns and toddlers, however I'm comfortable with all. I can help with summer learning (reading, writing, etc). Additionally, I love to organize and cook, so I'm happy to help with housekeeping tasks as well.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Isabella R. - Seeking Work in Charleston

Nanny Isabella

Charleston, SC
$22/hr
Full-time
6 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I will be getting my masters degree at Charleston Southern University and am looking for a live-in nanny position this summer! I graduated with a BA of Psychology with a minor in Child and Adolescent Development from Point Loma Nazarene University. I absolutely love children and have tons of experience ages 0-17! A little about me: I love anything outdoors, painting, surfing, traveling, and reading :)

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Faye S. - Seeking Work in Charleston

Nanny Faye

Charleston, SC
$20 - $24/hr
Part-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I’m a college student who will be living in Charleston for an internship. The intership is unpaid so I’m looking for some part time work during the evenings on weekdays! I’m a huge college football fan (Go Dawgs), I love all things seafood, kids, and dogs!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Karla A. - Seeking Work in Charleston

Nanny Karla

Charleston, SC
$21/hr
Full-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hola, mi nombre es Karla, siempre será un placer poder ayudarte con tu bebé, estará en las manos adecuadas, por qué siempre estaré cuidando de tu bebé, me considero una mujer que le gusta mucho trabajar y sobretodo amable, me considero una buena amiga para tu bebé, no lo dudes, Dios siempre con nosotros! Espero que puedas comunicarte pronto! 💕💕
Haley P. - Seeking Work in Charleston

Nanny Haley

Charleston, SC
$22/hr
Part-time
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Ever since I was a kid I wanted to do childcare for my job! I’ve always loved to serve in the childcare at church and love to establish relationships with babysitting and nannying families!

* would love to nanny for a Christian family

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Vasanti C. - Seeking Work in Charleston

Nanny Vasanti

Charleston, SC
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Im super open minded and always willing to learn and grow! I cater to each childs individual needs and love getting to experience all their big personalities!

Certification

CPR
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