Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a nanny cost in Madison, WI in 2026?
In Madison, WI, the average nanny earns about $19.88 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $795/week or $3,446/month. Most Madison families pay somewhere in the $8–$28/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$19.88/hr · Madison average
These numbers come from 123 live nanny listings in Madison on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $795
- Monthly
- $3,446
- Annual
- $41,350
Find nannies near you
What drives the price
Most Madison families pay somewhere in the $8–$28/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 $19.25/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $21.02/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) | $19.88 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$20.88 |
| 3+ kids | ~$21.88+ |
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 | $20.87/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $19.38/hr | See part-time rates → |
| Live-in | Set by family | $18.42/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 arrangements look cheaper per hour because room and board are part of the package. The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the nanny.
How do Madison nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
Madison sits close to the national average for nanny rates.
Hiring nannies in Madison, WI typically costs about 15% more than the Wisconsin average of $17/hour and 5% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Madison, WI |
|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | $20/hr | — |
| Wisconsin | $17/hr | -13% |
| United States | $19/hr | -4% |
Where Madison, WI fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $15.27/hour in Janesville to $19.88/hour in Madison.
Below: how each compares to the Madison, WI average of $19.88/hour — Madison, WI is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Madison, WI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison | $19.88 | — | |
| 2 | Kenosha | $17.56 | -12% | |
| 3 | Milwaukee | $17.55 | -12% | |
| 4 | Green Bay | $17.16 | -14% | |
| 5 | Oshkosh | $16.91 | -15% | |
| 6 | Eau Claire | $16.90 | -15% | |
| 7 | Appleton | $16.60 | -16% | |
| 8 | La Crosse | $16.40 | -18% | |
| 9 | Racine | $16.30 | -18% | |
| 10 | Janesville | $15.27 | -23% |
● Most expensive nearby: Madison ($19.88)● Least expensive nearby: Janesville ($15.27)
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 Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI
123 active listings in Madison
Nanny Carmen
Nanny Carmen
Madison, WI
$20 - $30/hr
Part-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
My name is Carmen Clayborn.
I have over 10 years of professional experience in the childcare field, working with children from infancy through school age. In addition, I have more than 15 years of babysitting experience caring for children ranging from infants to 14 years old.
Throughout my career, I have developed a strong passion for supporting children’s growth, learning, and overall well-being in safe, nurturing, and engaging environments. I am dependable, patient, and committed to providing high-quality care tailored to each child’s individual needs.
I am currently seeking nanny and babysitting opportunities where I can utilize my experience, dedication, and love for working with children to make a positive impact on families.
I have over 10 years of professional experience in the childcare field, working with children from infancy through school age. In addition, I have more than 15 years of babysitting experience caring for children ranging from infants to 14 years old.
Throughout my career, I have developed a strong passion for supporting children’s growth, learning, and overall well-being in safe, nurturing, and engaging environments. I am dependable, patient, and committed to providing high-quality care tailored to each child’s individual needs.
I am currently seeking nanny and babysitting opportunities where I can utilize my experience, dedication, and love for working with children to make a positive impact on families.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Mairin
Nanny Mairin
Madison, WI
$19/hr
Full-time
Part-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
I am about to turn 19 years old, I love kids and meeting new families. I have been babysitting for different families for years. I go to UW- Lacrosse, and will be a sophomore there in the fall.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Quinlan
Nanny Quinlan
Madison, WI
$20/hr
Full-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
I just graduated high school and am looking to help a family during the summer before I leave for college!
Have experience working with
Infants
Nanny Maeve
Nanny Maeve
Madison, WI
$18 - $30/hr
Full-time
Part-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I recently graduated from UW with a double major in Gender and Women's Studies and Art History. I love long walks, movies, music, and any kind of craft I can get my hands on!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Addy
Nanny Addy
Madison, WI
$20 - $25/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Addison “Addy” Kempf, and I’m currently a college student living in Madison looking for a nanny position with a kind and welcoming family. I’m outgoing, dependable, patient, and love creating positive, fun environments for kids. I have experience balancing school, work, and caregiving responsibilities, which has helped me become extremely organized and adaptable.
I’ve worked in customer service, serving, bartending, and caregiving roles, all of which strengthened my communication skills and ability to connect with people of all ages. I also grew up around animals and farm life, so I’m very comfortable helping with pets, routines, meals, transportation, and keeping up with busy households. I love being active, spending time outdoors, and being someone children can feel safe and comfortable around.
I’ve worked in customer service, serving, bartending, and caregiving roles, all of which strengthened my communication skills and ability to connect with people of all ages. I also grew up around animals and farm life, so I’m very comfortable helping with pets, routines, meals, transportation, and keeping up with busy households. I love being active, spending time outdoors, and being someone children can feel safe and comfortable around.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Ruby
Nanny Ruby
Madison, WI
$20/hr
Full-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi!! My name is Ruby and I’m currently a senior in high school. I’m leaving for college in September, and am looking for a full time nannying job over the summer. I have pretty flexible availability too!!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Daniela
Nanny Daniela
Madison, WI
$20/hr
Part-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Daniela. I’m Colombian and I’ve been living in the United States for several years. I have two years of experience caring for children, and I really enjoy spending time with them.
In my free time, I like relaxing, going out, and discovering new places. I also love the idea of traveling more in the future—especially doing a cruise someday.
I’d describe myself as responsible, caring, and open-minded. I’m always trying to grow and learn from new experiences.
In my free time, I like relaxing, going out, and discovering new places. I also love the idea of traveling more in the future—especially doing a cruise someday.
I’d describe myself as responsible, caring, and open-minded. I’m always trying to grow and learn from new experiences.
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Jillian
Nanny Jillian
Madison, WI
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
My name is Jill, and I am a passionate early childhood educator with years of experience working with young children and families. I have spent the majority of my career teaching preschool, where I’ve developed a deep love for supporting children during their most important early learning years.
Families describe me as warm, patient, energetic, and highly organized. I love incorporating outdoor exploration, creative arts, early reading experiences, and practical life skills into everyday routines. Whether we’re reading stories, building with blocks, exploring nature, or working through big feelings, I strive to create an environment where children feel seen, supported, and excited to learn.
I feel honored to partner with families and support children as they grow, discover, and build the foundation for lifelong learning.
Families describe me as warm, patient, energetic, and highly organized. I love incorporating outdoor exploration, creative arts, early reading experiences, and practical life skills into everyday routines. Whether we’re reading stories, building with blocks, exploring nature, or working through big feelings, I strive to create an environment where children feel seen, supported, and excited to learn.
I feel honored to partner with families and support children as they grow, discover, and build the foundation for lifelong learning.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Brinley
Nanny Brinley
Madison, WI
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
5 years experience
A little bit about me
My name is Brinley Coach, and I’m a recent UW–Madison graduate currently looking for a nanny position and available to start as soon as possible. I’m high-energy, reliable, and love creating a positive, engaging environment where kids feel supported, have fun, and can be themselves.
Have experience working with
Infants