Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Somerville, MA in 2026?
In Somerville, MA, the average babysitter earns about $24.70 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $988/week or $4,281/month. Most Somerville families pay somewhere in the $15–$31/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$24.70/hr · Somerville average
These numbers come from 52 live babysitter listings in Somerville on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $988
- Monthly
- $4,281
- Annual
- $51,376
Find babysitters near you
What drives the price
Most Somerville families pay somewhere in the $15–$31/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) | $24.70 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$25.70 |
| 3+ kids | ~$26.70+ |
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 babysitter rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $26.61/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $23.26/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.
How do Somerville babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Somerville is one of the more expensive babysitter markets in the country.
Hiring babysitters in Somerville, MA typically costs about 10% more than the Massachusetts average of $22/hour and 31% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Somerville, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Somerville, MA | $25/hr | — |
| Massachusetts | $22/hr | -9% |
| United States | $19/hr | -24% |
Where Somerville, 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 Somerville, MA average of $24.70/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Somerville, MA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | $24.53 | -1% | |
| 2 | Nantucket | $23.29 | -6% | |
| 3 | Revere | $23.03 | -7% | |
| 4 | Framingham | $22.98 | -7% | |
| 5 | Lynn | $21.51 | -13% | |
| 6 | Lowell | $21.26 | -14% | |
| 7 | Worcester | $21.21 | -14% | |
| 8 | Brockton | $20.46 | -17% | |
| 9 | Fall River | $19.62 | -21% | |
| 10 | Springfield | $18.41 | -25% |
● 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 Somerville, 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 Somerville, 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 Somerville, MA
52 active listings in Somerville
Nanny Melanie
Nanny Melanie
Somerville, MA
$25 - $35/hr
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I'm Melanie, and I currently go to Tufts University. I love kids and have had a fiar bit of experience babysitting. I have a little brother who's 10 years younger than me, which has also helped me gain experience over a pretty broad age range. Feel free to reach out!
Have experience working with
Infants
Nanny Sage
Nanny Sage
Somerville, MA
$20 - $30/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience
A little bit about me
I am a middle school teacher in the Somerville area. I am looking for part-time, full-time or babysitting opportunities over the summer.
I love working with children and helping them grow socially, personally and academically. I enjoy being outside, playing games, doing puzzles, arts and crafts, and baking. I would love to share my hobbies with your children and support them in their own interests.
I love working with children and helping them grow socially, personally and academically. I enjoy being outside, playing games, doing puzzles, arts and crafts, and baking. I would love to share my hobbies with your children and support them in their own interests.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Julianna
Nanny Julianna
Somerville, MA
$25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience
A little bit about me
I love intertwining engaging activities and learning moments. I will always step into a child’s world and play along with them.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Megan
Nanny Megan
Somerville, MA
$23/hr
Occasional
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hi, my name is Megan! I have over 10 years of experience working with children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 15 years. Most recently, I worked as a 5th grade English Language Arts teacher, supporting students both academically and emotionally. Before that, I was a full-time nanny for a family with three children—ages 6, 4, and 3 months. My responsibilities included cooking, light cleaning, helping with homework, managing the bedtime and bathtime routine, and driving the kids to and from school, playdates, and extracurricular activities. I’m passionate about creating a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment for kids of all ages.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Sadie
Nanny Sadie
Somerville, MA
$20 - $25/hr
Occasional
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I'm Sadie, a current undergraduate student at Tufts University studying Psychology. I love working with children and have several years of babysitting experience, along with lots of practice growing up with a younger sister and many younger cousins who I loved spending time with and helping care for. In my free time, I enjoy going for runs, trying new recipes, and spending time with family and friends. I look forward to getting to know your family! :)
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Izzy
Nanny Izzy
Somerville, MA
$25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello! My name is Izzy (she/her). I'm a professional educator with a degree in Anthropology and Design from Dartmouth College and multiple years of experience working with children. My current role is an outdoor educator with 5-8th graders in Boston. Last year, I was an English teacher in Spain through the Fulbright program, where I worked with mostly high school-aged students. I'm very intuitive, empathetic, organized, thoughtful, and detail-oriented. Additionally, I have loads of tutoring experience, ESL teaching experience, and I speak Spanish.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Adyonela
Nanny Adyonela
Somerville, MA
$23/hr
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello! Im a mom to 8year old and 1 year old daughters! I currently working at an early education center in a special ed program! I'm looking for a job where I am able to spend more time with my children. Im so excited to be working with your little one/s. Lets Chat!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Arwa
Nanny Arwa
Somerville, MA
$20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
hi! i accidentally put my phone number in wrong so excuse that. i’m 14 years old and although i have no “real, documented experience”, im the oldest of 3 and i have taken care of my 2 younger brothers all of my life. its hard to trust someone as young as me, but i promise im not reckless or irresponsible
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Khadija
Nanny Khadija
Somerville, MA
$30/hr
Occasional
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I'm a teacher by profession with a strong background in working with children, including those with special needs. I recently completed my master’s in Education and will be starting a full-time teaching job in September. Until then—and even after—I’m available for evening and weekend babysitting. I'd love to support your family with care that's warm, patient, and engaging!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid