Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Wilmington, NC in 2026?

In Wilmington, NC, the average babysitter earns about $18.33 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $733/week or $3,177/month. Most Wilmington families pay somewhere in the $8–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$18.33/hr · Wilmington average

These numbers come from 448 live babysitter listings in Wilmington on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$733
$3,177
$38,126

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What drives the price

Most Wilmington families pay somewhere in the $8–$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 $17.07/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $21.26/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)$18.33
2 kids~$19.33
3+ kids~$20.33+

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$19.77/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$18.70/hr
Occasional5–15 hrs/week$18.03/hr
Live-inSet by family$18.98/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.

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

Wilmington sits close to the national average for babysitter rates.

Hiring babysitters in Wilmington, NC typically costs about 6% more than the North Carolina average of $17/hour and 4% less than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Wilmington, NC and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Wilmington, NC
Wilmington, NC$18/hr
North Carolina$17/hr-5%
United States$19/hr+4%

Where Wilmington, NC fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $14.59/hour in Jacksonville to $20.69/hour in Asheville.

Below: how each compares to the Wilmington, NC average of $18.33/hour — Wilmington, NC is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Wilmington, NC ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Wilmington, NC
1Asheville$20.69+13%
2Charlotte$20.07+9%
3Raleigh$19.32+5%
4Durham$19.19+5%
Wilmington$18.33
6Winston Salem$17.30-6%
7Greensboro$16.71-9%
8Greenville$15.23-17%
9Fayetteville$14.74-20%
10Jacksonville$14.59-20%
Most expensive nearby: Asheville ($20.69) Least expensive nearby: Jacksonville ($14.59)

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 Wilmington, NC

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 Wilmington, NC

    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 Wilmington, NC

448 active listings in Wilmington

Natalie M. - Seeking Work in Wilmington

Nanny Natalie

Wilmington, NC
$15 - $21/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

hi! My name is Natalie, and i am a college student and CNA with experience caring for children of different ages. I am responsible, caring, patient, and love creating a fun and safe environment for children. I also have experience with babysitting, volunteering in my church nursery, and working with children through summer camps. I would love the opportunity to get to know your family and care for your little one.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

CPR
Caitlyn B. - Seeking Work in Wilmington

Nanny Caitlyn

Wilmington, NC
$20 - $22/hr
Full-time
Occasional
6 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Cait. My husband and I recently moved to Wilmington, and I've been looking for opportunities to nanny full-time or babysit part-time. I have a decade of experience caring for children of all ages, and have been working in a classroom environment for the last four years, primarily with children between the ages of 3-6. I have some education in teaching/guiding elementary age children, but the most care experience with younger children. I would love a position that allows me to work for around 6-8 hours most weekdays, but I'm willing to be flexible, depending on the need of the parents. I'm willing to cook, clean, and assist with homework (so long as they're not "smarter than a fifth grader," my long division could use some work). I'm happy to help with pick up / drop off from school, and can provide educational and fun activities and outings for those not quite ready for school as well.

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Olivia L. - Seeking Work in Wilmington

Nanny Olivia

Wilmington, NC
$15 - $25/hr
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Olivia Lenhardt, and I am a freshman at UNCW. I am majoring in nursing, and I absolutely love spending time with children of all ages!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certification

CPR
Sydney F. - Seeking Work in Wilmington

Nanny Sydney

Wilmington, NC
$20 - $25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
8 years experience

A little bit about me

I just moved back to Wilmington and am looking for a family to work with! The most kids in a family I've worked for is 5, and I can help with homeschooling if needed. I love the Lord, and try to teach the kids a lot about caring for the people around them and really taking responsibility the older they get.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Nancy M. - Seeking Work in Wilmington

Nanny Nancy

Wilmington, NC
$19/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Nancy. I’m am 22 years old.I have experience working with children ages 1 to 8 years old, and I truly love helping kids learn, grow, and have fun. I currently live in Sanford, North Carolina, and I’m moving to Wilmington to continue my education at UNCW.Before moving, I worked at a childcare center, and leaving was bittersweet because I already miss all of the amazing children I had the opportunity to teach. I’m excited to begin this new chapter while continuing to do what I love working with children and making a positive impact in their lives.

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Madison B. - Seeking Work in Wilmington

Nanny Madison

Wilmington, NC
$18 - $25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hiiiii families!!!
My name is Maddie, I am 20 years old and am currently a student at Cape Fear Community College. Originally from Tampa, Florida, but spent a lot of my teenage years in Greensboro, NC. I have always loved kids, I have a nephew that is newly 5 years old, and another nephew on the way. I spent so much time with kids in high-school as I did an internship at a daycare, spending 2 weeks with each age group up to kindergarten. I have always worked in the service industry, specifically as a server and hostess. I currently work at Copper Penny, I have been local to Wilmington for going on 3 years!
I would absolutely love to be a helping hand to a wonderful family. I would not mind doing some household chores if needed, I love cooking, and I also do photography on the side (that’s always a plus :) )
I can’t wait to get to know you and your families! ❤️

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Leah S. - Seeking Work in Wilmington

Nanny Leah

Wilmington, NC
$20 - $35/hr
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I am a 31 year old mental health therapist with a masters in social work and a bachelors in psychology, and childcare has been part of my life for over 10 years. I’ve worked as a professional nanny and been babysitting throughout my adulthood. I’m looking to pick up sitting jobs alongside my full time practice and I bring the same patience, warmth, and reliability to babysitting that I do my clinical work!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Amyah D. - Seeking Work in Wilmington

Nanny Amyah

Wilmington, NC
$15 - $20/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi everyone! My name is Amyah Daughtry. I’m a 16-year-old high school student with hands-on childcare experience who works with young children every day, and I’m available for weekend and occasional babysitting! I love working with kids ages 1 and up, creating a fun, safe, and engaging environment where they can learn and play. Safety is always my top priority—I am fully CPR and First Aid certified, trained to use an EpiPen, and SIDS and ITS certified, so you can have total peace of mind while you're away. Whether you need coverage for a date night, weekend errands, or occasional plans, I’d love to help out your family. Feel free to send me a message—I look forward to hearing from you!

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Brianna B. - Seeking Work in Wilmington

Nanny Brianna

Wilmington, NC
$18/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Brie, and I’ve been babysitting for several years. My love for caring for kids started with my own family—I have five siblings and loved helping care for my younger siblings as they grew up.
I’m currently a senior in high school and am looking for families in need of a dependable nanny or babysitter, whether it’s for regular care or occasional date nights. I’m responsible, patient, and love creating a fun and safe environment for kids. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, hiking, and reading. I’d love the opportunity to help care for your little ones!

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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