Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Helena, MT in 2026?

In Helena, MT, the average babysitter earns about $17 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $680/week or $2,947/month. Most Helena families pay somewhere in the $11–$21/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$17/hr · Helena average

These numbers come from 62 live babysitter listings in Helena on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$680
$2,947
$35,360

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What drives the price

Most Helena families pay somewhere in the $11–$21/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
Hourly rate by number of kids
1 kid (baseline)$17
2 kids~$18
3+ kids~$19+

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$18.15/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$17.08/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.

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How do Helena babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?

Helena runs below the U.S. average for babysitter rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.

Hiring babysitters in Helena, MT typically costs about 9% less than the Montana average of $19/hour and 10% less than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Helena, MT and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Helena, MT
Helena, MT$17/hr
Montana$19/hr+10%
United States$19/hr+11%

Where Helena, MT fits among nearby cities

7 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $17.00/hour in Helena to $21.82/hour in Whitefish.

Below: how each compares to the Helena, MT average of $17.00/hour — Helena, MT is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

7 cities near Helena, MT ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Helena, MT
1Whitefish$21.82+28%
2Bozeman$20.88+23%
3Kalispell$19.67+16%
4Missoula$18.12+7%
5Billings$17.83+5%
6Great Falls$17.08
Helena$17.00
Most expensive nearby: Whitefish ($21.82) Least expensive nearby: Helena ($17.00)

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 Helena, MT

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 Helena, MT

    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 Helena, MT

62 active listings in Helena

Izzy M. - Seeking Work in Helena

Nanny Izzy

Helena, MT
$18 - $24/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

☀️ Hi everyone! We are Sunshine Sitters, two responsible and caring 15-year-olds looking for babysitting opportunities in Helena this summer!

We are CPR certified, have experience with children of different ages, and love creating a safe and fun environment for kids. Whether you need a sitter for a date night, a busy workday, or regular weekly care, we'd love to help!

📍 Available Monday–Thursday  7am to 7pm

Feel free to message us for availability, pricing, or any questions. We look forward to meeting your family! ☀️💛 If you have any questions or want to book please feel free to message us at Sunshine Sitters on Facebook or Instagram!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Jamie S. - Seeking Work in Helena

Nanny Jamie

Helena, MT
$16/hr
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello! I am a 25 year old woman. I got my degree in psychology at UM and just moved back to my home town (Helena). I have worked with kids for almost 3 years at almost all ages I just do not have much experience with infants but I am open to learning! CPR and First Aid certified.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Taylor N. - Seeking Work in Helena

Nanny Taylor

Helena, MT
$17/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Taylor, and I am a responsible, caring, and dependable person who enjoys spending time with children. I am patient, and always strive to create a safe and fun environment. Whether it’s helping with activities, playing games, or assisting with daily routines, I take pride in being someone parents can trust. I’m excited for the opportunity to help families and provide reliable childcare!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Carrigan R. - Seeking Work in Helena

Nanny Carrigan

Helena, MT
$16/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is Carrigan, I graduated from Capital High School in 2025. During my senior year I worked for a daycare where I got my first aid and cpr certifications. I have a reliable car and a compassion in my heart for kids!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Jessica R. - Seeking Work in Helena

Nanny Jessica

Helena, MT
$16/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Jess. I have a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Dual Masters' Degrees in Literacy Education and Special Education.

After 7 years of teaching Kindergarten in New York, I moved to Colorado and began my 3 years of nannying experience. I have provided care for babies from 2 to 10 months, as well as for children as old as 9.

My boyfriend and I have just relocated to Helena and I am eager to meet some lovely families and kiddos. :)

My favorite part of working with kids is the energy and love that they put into the world. I think it is a blessing to be able to guide and advocate for little people. Also, I am a very silly human and I love laughing and playing with them.

In my spare time you can find me hiking in the mountains or curled up reading a book!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Brooklyn C. - Seeking Work in Helena

Nanny Brooklyn

Helena, MT
$17/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Brooklyn, and I’m a caring, responsible, and energetic person who loves working with kids. I take pride in creating a safe, fun, and positive environment where children can learn, play, and feel comfortable.
Jacynta B. - Seeking Work in Helena

Nanny Jacynta

Helena, MT
$18/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hey! I’m currently a full time cosmetology student looking for a part time job! I used to nanny for a family in Fort Benton, MT and would love to watch your kids on!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Nelly C. - Seeking Work in Helena

Nanny Nelly

Helena, MT
$16/hr
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Nelly and I am a senior in high school! I LOVE taking care of kiddos of any age. I have lots of experience with mainly toddlers but any kiddo ages 1-13 is what I have the most experience with. I am also flexible with my hourly rate.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Roxy W. - Seeking Work in Helena

Nanny Roxy

Helena, MT
$17/hr
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I'm an upcoming senior at east helena high school. I have experience with younger siblings, used to help out at a daycare, I currently teach swim lessons to kids ages from pre-K to 12 year Olds, I am a lifeguard and work at applebees. In the future I want to be a pediatrics nurse. I love working with children, I had a mentorship with 2nd graders last year where I worked in a 2nd grade classroom. I find joy being around people and kids. I can help clean and cook and would love to help out!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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