Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Baltimore, MD in 2026?
In Baltimore, MD, the average babysitter earns about $17.91 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $716/week or $3,104/month. Most Baltimore families pay somewhere in the $15–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 2,034 live babysitter listings in Baltimore on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $716
- Monthly
- $3,104
- Annual
- $37,253
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What drives the price
Most Baltimore families pay somewhere in the $15–$25/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.
Experience
Number of kids
| 1 kid (baseline) | $17.91 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$18.91 |
| 3+ kids | ~$19.91+ |
Hours & 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
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $19.26/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $18.56/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $18.86/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $18.62/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.
How do Baltimore babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Baltimore runs above the U.S. average for babysitter rates, in line with most major metros.
Hiring babysitters in Baltimore, MD typically costs about 1% less than the Maryland average of $18/hour and 7% more than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Baltimore, MD |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD | $18/hr | — |
| Maryland | $18/hr | +2% |
| United States | $17/hr | -6% |
Where Baltimore, MD fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $16.80/hour in Hagerstown to $20.28/hour in Rockville.
Below: how each compares to the Baltimore, MD average of $17.91/hour — Baltimore, MD is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Baltimore, MD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rockville | $20.28 | +13% | |
| 2 | Silver Spring | $19.31 | +8% | |
| 3 | Columbia | $18.77 | +5% | |
| 4 | Germantown | $18.65 | +4% | |
| 5 | Bowie | $18.49 | +3% | |
| 6 | Laurel | $18.08 | +1% | |
| 7 | Frederick | $18.06 | +1% | |
| 8 | Glen Burnie | $18.04 | +1% | |
| 9 | Baltimore | $17.91 | — | |
| 10 | Hagerstown | $16.80 | -6% |
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?
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a babysitter in Baltimore, MD
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 Baltimore, MD
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 Baltimore, MD
2,034 active listings in Baltimore
Nanny Claude
Nanny Claude
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Nanny Jennifer
Nanny Jennifer
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Certification
Nanny Maggie
Nanny Maggie
A little bit about me
I work primarily with children with special needs (ASD, neurodivergence, down syndrome), at a local Primary School (ages 3-5). In college, however, I worked with a wide range of kids, meeting the needs of each parent, with a wide range of placements, backgrounds, and ages.
Id LOVE to work with you to figure out the needs of your specific family dynamic, knowing that navigating the stress of finding a responsible and dedicated nanny, can be really exhausting.
helping your 1's 2's and 3's with their ABC's, I've got your basics covered.
***Because of my expertise, I do typically require a higher price point (28-35 / hour) depending on needs.
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Nanny Myzhae
Nanny Myzhae
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Nanny Alex
Nanny Alex
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Nanny Koreta
Nanny Koreta
A little bit about me
I also work with Student Accessibility Services and serve as a mentor for new students at my college, helping others navigate challenges and build confidence. In addition, I help care for my four younger cousins, ages 1 to 10, and am comfortable with daily routines, meals, playtime, homework, and creating a safe, positive environment for children.
I am fun, energetic, caring, and dependable. I genuinely enjoy spending time with children and helping them learn, grow, and feel supported. I have reliable transportation, my own vehicle, and a car seat suitable for a child around 1 year to 18 months old for outings when needed.
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Nanny Rokhaya
Nanny Rokhaya
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Nanny Kari
Nanny Kari
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Nanny Grace
Nanny Grace
A little bit about me
I have some experience babysitting children, follow instructions responsibly, and would be an excellent fit for the right family. I look forward to meeting you!