Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Buffalo, MN in 2026?
In Buffalo, MN, the average babysitter earns about $17.89 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $716/week or $3,101/month. Most Buffalo families pay somewhere in the $11–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 56 live babysitter listings in Buffalo on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $716
- Monthly
- $3,101
- Annual
- $37,211
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What drives the price
Most Buffalo families pay somewhere in the $11–$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) | $17.89 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$18.89 |
| 3+ kids | ~$19.89+ |
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 | $19.76/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $20.12/hr |
Part-time and full-time hourly rates are similar here — short schedules don't always command a premium when full-time openings are easy to fill.
How do Buffalo babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Buffalo sits close to the national average for babysitter rates.
Hiring babysitters in Buffalo, MN typically costs about 2% less than the Minnesota average of $18/hour and 5% less than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Buffalo, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo, MN | $18/hr | — |
| Minnesota | $18/hr | +3% |
| United States | $19/hr | +5% |
Where Buffalo, MN fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $16.87/hour in Mankato to $20.17/hour in Minneapolis.
Below: how each compares to the Buffalo, MN average of $17.89/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Buffalo, MN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $20.17 | +13% | |
| 2 | Maple Grove | $19.66 | +10% | |
| 3 | Saint Paul | $19.15 | +7% | |
| 4 | Lakeville | $19.12 | +7% | |
| 5 | Rochester | $18.99 | +6% | |
| 6 | Woodbury | $18.82 | +5% | |
| 7 | St. Cloud | $17.64 | -1% | |
| 8 | Blaine | $17.33 | -3% | |
| 9 | Duluth | $17.11 | -4% | |
| 10 | Mankato | $16.87 | -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 Buffalo, MN
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 Buffalo, MN
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 Buffalo, MN
56 active listings in Buffalo
Nanny Rian
Nanny Rian
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Nanny Maisie
Nanny Maisie
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Nanny Lyka
Nanny Lyka
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Nanny Ellie
Nanny Ellie
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Nanny Autumn
Nanny Autumn
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Nanny Rebecca
Nanny Rebecca
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Nanny Sarah
Nanny Sarah
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Nanny Alexis
Nanny Alexis
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Nanny Hayley
Nanny Hayley
A little bit about me
With my nursing background, I have a calm and attentive presence and an understanding of child development, safety, and health. I'm passionate about creating a supportive and positive environment for children, whether it's homework help, organizing activities, or keeping consistent routines!
Whether you're looking for overnight support to help your baby, and you, get more rest, or want peace of mind knowing your children is in capable hands, I'd love to be a part of your family's routine and have the opportunity to support you and get to know your little ones!