Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Boulder, CO in 2026?

In Boulder, CO, the average babysitter earns about $22.21 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $888/week or $3,850/month. Most Boulder families pay somewhere in the $15–$34/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$22.21/hr · Boulder average

These numbers come from 201 live babysitter listings in Boulder on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$888
$3,850
$46,197

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What drives the price

Most Boulder families pay somewhere in the $15–$34/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 babysitters command higher rates. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $21.10/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $26.16/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)$22.21
2 kids~$23.21
3+ kids~$24.21+

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 babysitter rates

ArrangementTypical hoursAverage rate
Full-time35–50 hrs/week$25.16/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$22.09/hr
Occasional5–15 hrs/week$21.20/hr
Live-inSet by family$23.15/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 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 babysitter.

Browse babysitters

How do Boulder babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?

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

Hiring babysitters in Boulder, CO typically costs about 6% more than the Colorado average of $21/hour and 18% more than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Boulder, CO and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Boulder, CO
Boulder, CO$22/hr
Colorado$21/hr-6%
United States$19/hr-15%

Where Boulder, CO fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $17.44/hour in Grand Junction to $22.60/hour in Denver.

Below: how each compares to the Boulder, CO average of $22.21/hour — Boulder, CO is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Boulder, CO ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Boulder, CO
1Denver$22.60+2%
Boulder$22.21
3Littleton$21.65-3%
4Thornton$20.97-6%
5Aurora$20.90-6%
6Loveland$20.32-9%
7Fort Collins$19.55-12%
8Colorado Springs$19.36-13%
9Greeley$18.38-17%
10Grand Junction$17.44-21%
Most expensive nearby: Denver ($22.60) Least expensive nearby: Grand Junction ($17.44)

Tips to find a great babysitter without overpaying

  • Be flexible on experience. Some of the best babysitters on the platform have 3–5 years on the job and charge meaningfully less than experienced babysitters 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 babysitters 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 babysitter in Boulder, CO

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

  1. 01

    Browse babysitter profiles in Boulder, CO

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

  2. 02

    Message the ones who look like a fit

    Reach out to the babysitters 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 babysitter fits with your family in real time.

  4. 04

    Hire your babysitter

    If you'd rather not handle taxes and payroll yourself, our payroll team can take care of it.

Available babysitters in Boulder, CO

201 active listings in Boulder

Summer C. - Seeking Work in Boulder

Nanny Summer

Boulder, CO
$22 - $30/hr
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, my name is summer! I am a recent graduate from CU boulder with a BA In journalism and I am originally from Los Angeles. I am looking for part-time work as a nanny. I love reading, horseback riding, swimming, and meeting new people!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Gillie B. - Seeking Work in Boulder

Nanny Gillie

Boulder, CO
$22/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello there! My name is Gillie and I am a second year undergraduate student in CU Boulder majoring in psychology. I am looking for a nannying oppurtunity for the summer months from May until August. I have worked with kids for around 5 years now, both in babysitting and in gradeschool assistance setting. In addition, I have completed a birth doula training, which has given me a strong understanding of child development and family support. I am also CPR and First Aid certified, so safety is always a top priority for me.
I truly enjoy working with kids, creating a positive and engaging environment, and helping them learn and grow. I would love the chance to support your family!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Mariah H. - Seeking Work in Boulder

Nanny Mariah

Boulder, CO
$23/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
8 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, my name is Mariah Hurd-Crews. I’ve been working in childcare since 2018 and provide occasional babysitting as well as personalized in-home care. I recently moved back to Colorado and am currently majoring in Psychology, with plans to become a school psychologist.

I started as a bike instructor with Pedalheads, teaching children ages 4–11 for three summers. I’ve also been a live-in nanny twice and have babysat for a plethora of families, gaining experience with a wide range of ages and needs. Additionally, I’ve worked as a summer camp counselor and helped run an after-school program.

I am CPR and First Aid certified and can provide references. I’m passionate about creating a safe, fun, and supportive environment for children. I look forward to connecting!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Gretchen G. - Seeking Work in Boulder

Nanny Gretchen

Boulder, CO
$22/hr
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

I have been working with kids for over 4 years paid. I am a student in college majoring in Psychology with an emphasis in Clinical and Neuroscience. I LOVE kids and am looking for a job to be able to get to know a family and be a dependable member and employee for them!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Darby D. - Seeking Work in Boulder

Nanny Darby

Boulder, CO
$22/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I'm a 22-year-old recent biology graduate from SDSU, originally from Boulder, Colorado. I've always had a deep passion for working with children and mentoring young people, which has been a constant throughout my life alongside my love of science. Outside of childcare, you'll usually find me snowboarding, scuba diving, practicing yoga, creating art, or exploring the outdoors. I also volunteer at a local cat adoption center because I absolutely love animals. Right now, I'm preparing to attend graduate school for bioengineering, where I hope to continue my research while staying involved in youth education and STEM mentorship.

Certifications

CPR
First Aid

Recent reference

"Darby was so lovely to have as a babysitter for our son. She was communicative with us about her availability and would always try to make last minute requests work. Our son loved her and I always felt confident leaving my son with her. She was responsible, fun for my son, and very kind. She also watched our cat on occasion when we would go out of town and she was always reliable with this as well."
- Tessa Ritchie
Haley K. - Seeking Work in Boulder

Nanny Haley

Boulder, CO
$22/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I'm Haley! I’m 21 and currently taking a break from school while pursuing my passion for childcare. I have experience working in a nursery, volunteering with young children, working with kids with special needs, and spent time in Spain as an au pair! I love the outdoors and anything creative, hope to be in touch soon:)

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Mary P. - Seeking Work in Boulder

Nanny Mary

Boulder, CO
$30 - $40/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
8 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello, I am Mary. I have a Montessori type approach to childcare and seek to help children communicate appropriately for their age range. I feel strongly that respect is a key element in raising a child and feel that modeled behavior is the most effective. Therefore, apologizing for any mistakes I as an adult may make is highly important in their development. I would label myself with a gentle parent type of approach (not to be confused with permissive parenting).

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Lexa H. - Seeking Work in Boulder

Nanny Lexa

Boulder, CO
$21/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

I worked for 3 years in early childhood education. 2 Years as a PCA for a 14yr old boy. I love kids! I am currently enrolled in college to become an Art Therapist, with a primary focus in working with children. I am CPR, AED and first aid certified. I drive a reliable car with a a completely clean driving record. I am available as soon as soon as possible! My school semester ends next next week and I will be available 7 days a week, whenever is needed. I am also comfortable working overnights as well. I would love to connect with you soon!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Bradley A. - Seeking Work in Boulder

Nanny Bradley

Boulder, CO
$21/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! I am a senior at the University of Colorado at Boulder, double-majoring in Integrative Physiology and Public Health. I went to a Jesuit high school, and what was required of us to graduate was to do service. I have over 500 volunteer hours as a teacher's aide for kindergarten and third-grade classes, and I tutor DPS and APS students (grades 1st-8th). After my second year of college, I started working at Blast Summer Camp as a head camp counselor. From this position, I have gained my CPR, BLS, First Aid, and Medication Administration certifications. Working for Blast Camp included extensive background checks, drug screenings, and 16 hours of Colorado Shines PDIS training. Lastly, I am an uncle to 2 nieces (ages 1 and 3 months) and 1 nephew (aged 5).

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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