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 $19.50 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $780/week or $3,380/month. Most Baltimore families pay somewhere in the $15–$28/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 738 live babysitter listings in Baltimore on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $780
- Monthly
- $3,380
- Annual
- $40,560
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What drives the price
Most Baltimore families pay somewhere in the $15–$28/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) | $19.50 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$20.50 |
| 3+ kids | ~$21.50+ |
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 | $20.87/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $20.09/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $19.54/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $19.95/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 sits close to the national average for babysitter rates.
Hiring babysitters in Baltimore, MD typically costs about 3% less than the Maryland average of $20/hour and 3% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Baltimore, MD |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD | $20/hr | — |
| Maryland | $20/hr | +3% |
| United States | $19/hr | -3% |
Where Baltimore, MD fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $17.69/hour in Hagerstown to $24.14/hour in Bethesda.
Below: how each compares to the Baltimore, MD average of $19.50/hour — Baltimore, MD is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Baltimore, MD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bethesda | $24.14 | +24% | |
| 2 | Rockville | $21.73 | +11% | |
| 3 | Gaithersburg | $21.26 | +9% | |
| 4 | Silver Spring | $20.97 | +8% | |
| 5 | Bowie | $20.57 | +5% | |
| 6 | Columbia | $20.50 | +5% | |
| 7 | Frederick | $19.60 | +1% | |
| 8 | Glen Burnie | $19.53 | — | |
| 9 | Baltimore | $19.50 | — | |
| 10 | Hagerstown | $17.69 | -9% |
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
738 active listings in Baltimore
Nanny Favour
Nanny Favour
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
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Nanny Jayde
Nanny Jayde
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Nanny Courtney
Nanny Courtney
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Have experience working with
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Nanny Da’onah
Nanny Da’onah
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
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Nanny Sharon
Nanny Sharon
A little bit about me
I have experience working with children in an educational setting, which has taught me the importance of communication, patience, and consistency. I love planning creative activities, helping with homework, reading stories, doing arts and crafts, spending time outdoors, and finding ways to make everyday moments enjoyable. Families can count on me to be reliable, organized, and attentive to their children’s needs.
My goal is to provide care that gives parents peace of mind while making sure their children feel happy, cared for, and excited to spend time with me. I would love the opportunity to become a positive and dependable part of your family’s support system.