Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Arlington, MA in 2026?
In Arlington, MA, the average babysitter earns about $25.27 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $1,011/week or $4,380/month. Most Arlington 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$25.27/hr · Arlington average
These numbers come from 41 live babysitter listings in Arlington on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $1,011
- Monthly
- $4,380
- Annual
- $52,562
Find babysitters near you
What drives the price
Most Arlington 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
Experience is one of the biggest levers on a babysitter'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
| 1 kid (baseline) | $25.27 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$26.27 |
| 3+ kids | ~$27.27+ |
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.
How do Arlington babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Arlington is one of the more expensive babysitter markets in the country.
Hiring babysitters in Arlington, MA typically costs about 13% more than the Massachusetts average of $22/hour and 34% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Arlington, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington, MA | $25/hr | — |
| Massachusetts | $22/hr | -11% |
| United States | $19/hr | -26% |
Where Arlington, MA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $18.41/hour in Springfield to $24.53/hour in Boston.
Below: how each compares to the Arlington, MA average of $25.27/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Arlington, MA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | $24.53 | -3% | |
| 2 | Nantucket | $23.29 | -8% | |
| 3 | Revere | $23.03 | -9% | |
| 4 | Framingham | $22.98 | -9% | |
| 5 | Lynn | $21.51 | -15% | |
| 6 | Lowell | $21.26 | -16% | |
| 7 | Worcester | $21.21 | -16% | |
| 8 | Brockton | $20.46 | -19% | |
| 9 | Fall River | $19.62 | -22% | |
| 10 | Springfield | $18.41 | -27% |
● Most expensive nearby: Boston ($24.53)● Least expensive nearby: Springfield ($18.41)
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.
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a babysitter in Arlington, MA
Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with babysitters — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:
- 01
Browse babysitter profiles in Arlington, MA
Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.
- 02
Message the ones who look like a fit
Reach out to the babysitters 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 babysitter fits with your family in real time.
- 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 Arlington, MA
41 active listings in Arlington
Nanny Briana
Nanny Briana
Arlington, MA
$25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
8 years experience
A little bit about me
I have experience providing occasional and part-time babysitting for children ranging from infants to school-aged. I focus on creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children feel comfortable and supported. My responsibilities have included supervising play, helping with age-appropriate activities, maintaining routines, and ensuring children’s safety at all times. I am patient, attentive, and reliable, and I enjoy building positive connections with both children and families. I am also comfortable adapting to different household needs and following specific caregiver instructions.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Sofia
Nanny Sofia
Arlington, MA
$25/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I’m Sofia and I am a freshman at Arlington Catholic highschool. I love working with kids and I play volleyball. I am always down for arts and crafts and movies.
Nanny Camille
Nanny Camille
Arlington, MA
$23/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience
Nanny Sophie
Nanny Sophie
Arlington, MA
$20/hr
Occasional
1 year experience
A little bit about me
My name is Sophie, I am 17 years old and live in Arlington. I am going into my fourth year of taking Early childhood education in school and have been babysitting for about a year. I am open to light housekeeping and have my license and access to a car. I am available after school into the evening starting anytime after 3:30
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Ita
Nanny Ita
Arlington, MA
$32/hr
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience
A little bit about me
I love working with children and I truly enjoy being part of their growth and development. I am patient, caring, and responsible, and I always create a safe and positive environment for them.
I like to encourage children through play, learning activities, and social interaction, helping them build confidence, independence, and good values. Taking care of children is not just a job for me, it is something I do with love and dedication.
I like to encourage children through play, learning activities, and social interaction, helping them build confidence, independence, and good values. Taking care of children is not just a job for me, it is something I do with love and dedication.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Tracie
Nanny Tracie
Arlington, MA
$32/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
I'm a mother and grandmother that loves working with children.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Sowmya
Nanny Sowmya
Arlington, MA
$20/hr
Occasional
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hai .....
I'm sowmya , and I'm looking for babysitting and nanny jobs in Jersey City. I’m all about trust, reliability, and making sure things run smoothly. I take pride in being someone you can count on, and I always aim to create a safe and caring environment for your little ones. I’m super organized and always try my best to be a positive and supportive presence. Text me only if you trust me to care for your little ones! Thanks!
I'm sowmya , and I'm looking for babysitting and nanny jobs in Jersey City. I’m all about trust, reliability, and making sure things run smoothly. I take pride in being someone you can count on, and I always aim to create a safe and caring environment for your little ones. I’m super organized and always try my best to be a positive and supportive presence. Text me only if you trust me to care for your little ones! Thanks!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Nahomi
Nanny Nahomi
Arlington, MA
$20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Thinlay
Nanny Thinlay
Arlington, MA
$30 - $40/hr
Full-time
Part-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hello! My name is Thinlay, and I'm an experienced caregiver and early childhood educator with over 30 years of experience working with children of all ages. I'm specifically trained and certified to work with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. I have worked in childcare centers, community weekend schools, and private homes. With my previous experiences, I have mainly focused on supporting early childhood developmental milestone skills, including physical, cognitive, language, social/emotional, and adaptive development. I can truly say that my calm and loving nature naturally surrounds the children around me at all times. During my teaching experience at Harvard Yard Child Care Center, I was always able to remain calm in any situation and have activities ready based on the situation or the interests of the child. I honestly believe that being yourself and showing compassion and affection toward the children in your care is key to building strong bonds with both children and families.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid