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.

Average hourly rate$17.91/hr · Baltimore average

These numbers come from 2,034 live babysitter listings in Baltimore on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$716
$3,104
$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.


01

Experience

More experienced babysitters command higher rates. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $17.67/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $20.92/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)$17.91
2 kids~$18.91
3+ kids~$19.91+

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$19.26/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$18.56/hr
Occasional5–15 hrs/week$18.86/hr
Live-inSet 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.

Browse babysitters

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.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Baltimore, MD and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. 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

10 cities near Baltimore, MD ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Baltimore, MD
1Rockville$20.28+13%
2Silver Spring$19.31+8%
3Columbia$18.77+5%
4Germantown$18.65+4%
5Bowie$18.49+3%
6Laurel$18.08+1%
7Frederick$18.06+1%
8Glen Burnie$18.04+1%
Baltimore$17.91
10Hagerstown$16.80-6%
Most expensive nearby: Rockville ($20.28) Least expensive nearby: Hagerstown ($16.80)

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 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:

  1. 01

    Browse babysitter profiles in Baltimore, MD

    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 Baltimore, MD

2,034 active listings in Baltimore

Claude O. - Seeking Work in Baltimore

Nanny Claude

Baltimore, MD
$15 - $21/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Claude. I am 26 years old and just moved to Baltimore. I am a former teacher with experience working with children 2 years old and up, including those with special needs. If you have any questions for me, please reach out!

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Jennifer T. - Seeking Work in Baltimore

Nanny Jennifer

Baltimore, MD
$15 - $20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hey, I'm Jen! I am a career Elementary School Guidance Counselor for BCPS. I have 3 young sons of my own and am looking to support some local families! I have summers off work and would love for your little ones to come join our summer fun! We will spend our days playing water games, on nature walks, reading, doing crafts, and having lots of fun! I am available for weekly or spur of the moment babysitting in my family home along with my 3 boys! Hope to chat with you more soon! Thank you! I have worked in child-care for over 15 years and treat every child as my own! My experiences range from counseling children, teaching, mentoring, to full-time nannying. I have taken courses in child development, special education, and am CPR certified!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certification

CPR
Maggie H. - Seeking Work in Baltimore

Nanny Maggie

Baltimore, MD
$28 - $35/hr
Full-time
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My Name is Maggie Hales, I am a fully licensed Speech Language-Assistant working in the Baltimore City School System! I am offering my services as a full-time (speech specific) nanny from July 1st to August 7th.

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.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Myzhae S. - Seeking Work in Baltimore

Nanny Myzhae

Baltimore, MD
$16 - $19/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I’m a nursing student who enjoys working with children and helping them learn and grow. I have experience tutoring students and caring for younger family members, which has helped me develop patience, responsibility, and strong communication skills. I’m dependable, attentive, and committed to creating a safe, fun, and positive environment for every child in my care

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Alex M. - Seeking Work in Baltimore

Nanny Alex

Baltimore, MD
$17 - $30/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I’m Alex, a senior in college majoring in Education and Psychology, and minoring in Child & Family Studies. I have years of experience caring for children in camp, school, arts, and clinical settings. I love being active, making art, and supporting children in their growth!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Koreta N. - Seeking Work in Baltimore

Nanny Koreta

Baltimore, MD
$15 - $30/hr
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Koreta, a 21-year-old college student from Cameroon. As the oldest daughter in a large family with eight younger siblings, I have years of hands-on childcare experience that taught me responsibility, patience, and strong communication skills.

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.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Rokhaya B. - Seeking Work in Baltimore

Nanny Rokhaya

Baltimore, MD
$18 - $25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
6 years experience

A little bit about me

I love working with kids and creating a fun, supportive environment where they can learn and feel comfortable. I have experience working with children from 3K–5th grade through teaching. I especially enjoy helping younger kids with reading and phonics. I’m patient, creative, and adaptable, and I’ve also spent significant time abroad, which strengthened my cross-cultural communication skills and ability to connect with families from different backgrounds. In my free time, I enjoy reading, modest fashion, and creative activities that I often bring into my interactions with children.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Kari R. - Seeking Work in Baltimore

Nanny Kari

Baltimore, MD
$20/hr
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

My name is Kari I am 14 years old and I am experienced with children I have 3 siblings I am the oldest of 3 and I will be happy to help you.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Grace M. - Seeking Work in Baltimore

Nanny Grace

Baltimore, MD
$17 - $22/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello! I am a former public health professional and novice yoga instructor who loves nature and being of service to others. My personality is sensitive and sweet. A unique part of my job history was a two-year residency at a Buddhist monastery, where I enjoyed community life, housekeeping, and practicing kindness and compassion.

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!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
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