Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in New York, NY in 2026?
In New York, NY, the average babysitter earns about $24.26 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $970/week or $4,205/month. Most New York families pay somewhere in the $16–$35/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$24.26/hr · New York average
These numbers come from 4,572 live babysitter listings in New York on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $970
- Monthly
- $4,205
- Annual
- $50,461
Find babysitters near you
What drives the price
Most New York families pay somewhere in the $16–$35/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 $23.15/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $27.50/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
| 1 kid (baseline) | $24.26 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$25.26 |
| 3+ kids | ~$26.26+ |
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
| 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 | $25.89/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $24.68/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $24.49/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $25.09/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 New York babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
New York is one of the more expensive babysitter markets in the country.
Hiring babysitters in New York, NY typically costs about 11% more than the New York average of $22/hour and 26% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. New York, NY |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $24/hr | — |
| New York | $22/hr | -10% |
| United States | $19/hr | -21% |
Where New York, NY fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $18.95/hour in Syracuse to $24.26/hour in New York.
Below: how each compares to the New York, NY average of $24.26/hour — New York, NY is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. New York, NY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $24.26 | — | |
| 2 | Flushing | $23.24 | -4% | |
| 3 | Brooklyn | $22.89 | -6% | |
| 4 | Queens | $21.06 | -13% | |
| 5 | The Bronx | $20.92 | -14% | |
| 6 | Staten Island | $20.56 | -15% | |
| 7 | Albany | $19.84 | -18% | |
| 8 | Rochester | $19.24 | -21% | |
| 9 | Buffalo | $19.16 | -21% | |
| 10 | Syracuse | $18.95 | -22% |
● Most expensive nearby: New York ($24.26)● Least expensive nearby: Syracuse ($18.95)
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.
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a babysitter in New York, NY
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 New York, NY
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 New York, NY
4,572 active listings in New York
Nanny Hayden
Nanny Hayden
New York, NY
$25/hr
Occasional
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Hayden Hairston, and I’m a 23-year-old girl who lives in Manhattan. I’m looking for weekend/weeknight babysitting jobs.
Please see my experience below:
Live-in nanny for 3 months: boy aged 3 (Sam) and girl aged 2 (Gigi)
Nanny throughout college - would do morning or nighttime routines with these families alone and handle breakfast/dinner, bath time, etc.:
Family 1 (4 kids): 4 girls aged 8 (Madeline), 5 (Helen), 3 (Margaret), and 1 (Amelia) (primarily school mornings but would occasionally do nights/overnights)
Family 2 (4 kids): Boy aged 3 (Walker), girl aged 2 (JJ), infant twins (Murphy and Vaugh) (would do nighttime routine with and get all 4 dinner + to bed)
New York babysitting: 8 month old girl (Noa), 11 month old girl (Mia), 3 month old (Sully)
I’m happy to share some moms’ numbers if you would like a recommendation! I am comfortable babysitting children of all ages and handling nighttime routines, etc (including cooking dinner). Thank you!
Please see my experience below:
Live-in nanny for 3 months: boy aged 3 (Sam) and girl aged 2 (Gigi)
Nanny throughout college - would do morning or nighttime routines with these families alone and handle breakfast/dinner, bath time, etc.:
Family 1 (4 kids): 4 girls aged 8 (Madeline), 5 (Helen), 3 (Margaret), and 1 (Amelia) (primarily school mornings but would occasionally do nights/overnights)
Family 2 (4 kids): Boy aged 3 (Walker), girl aged 2 (JJ), infant twins (Murphy and Vaugh) (would do nighttime routine with and get all 4 dinner + to bed)
New York babysitting: 8 month old girl (Noa), 11 month old girl (Mia), 3 month old (Sully)
I’m happy to share some moms’ numbers if you would like a recommendation! I am comfortable babysitting children of all ages and handling nighttime routines, etc (including cooking dinner). Thank you!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Autumn
Nanny Autumn
New York, NY
$25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience
A little bit about me
My name is Autumn Perry and I am moving from Metrodetroit to the east coast! I began nannying once I graduated high school and have extensive experience caring for children with individual needs and interests. I am passionate about supporting childhood development and understand the importance of providing a nurturing, uplifting, and active environment for children to experience. Beyond my passion, I am detail oriented, organized, cautious, and adaptable.
Nanny Meghan
Nanny Meghan
New York, NY
$24/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I’ve grown up caring for younger family members and have also tutored and volunteered with children before. My current full-time position involves being around children so I am comfortable and familiar with their needs. Overall I am very outgoing and compassionate. I have a lot of energy and love participating in events and playing games. I am great with staying organized and assisting with household responsibilities!
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Lori
Nanny Lori
New York, NY
$25 - $40/hr
Occasional
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
I am a dedicated, honest, trustworthy, and dependable nanny who genuinely cares about the well-being, happiness, and development of the children entrusted to my care. I am patient, compassionate, nurturing, and take great pride in providing a safe, loving, and positive environment. I believe every child deserves individual attention, encouragement, consistency, and understanding. I approach my responsibilities with commitment, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of responsibility, always striving to go above and beyond what is expected of me. I am attentive to each child's needs, use good judgment, demonstrate flexibility, and take initiative whenever necessary. Most importantly, I understand the trust a family places in me, and I work hard every day to earn that trust by treating their children with the same care, respect, and affection I would give my own.
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny G
Nanny G
New York, NY
$30 - $45/hr
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience
A little bit about me
I am a caring, patient, and responsible Registered Nurse who genuinely enjoys spending time with children. I would describe myself as nurturing, attentive, dependable, and fun-loving. I enjoy creating a safe, positive, and engaging environment where children feel comfortable, supported, and cared for.
My nursing background has taught me the importance of patience, safety, attentiveness, and responding calmly to different situations. I am comfortable helping with daily routines, preparing meals, organizing activities, assisting with homework, and making sure children are happy, safe and well cared for.
My nursing background has taught me the importance of patience, safety, attentiveness, and responding calmly to different situations. I am comfortable helping with daily routines, preparing meals, organizing activities, assisting with homework, and making sure children are happy, safe and well cared for.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Alissa
Nanny Alissa
New York, NY
$25/hr
Occasional
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Alissa!
I’m a nursing student , I’m a certified Home Health Aide with almost 3 years of caregiving experience. I also have experience caring for my younger cousins, where I helped look after them, spend time with them, keep them entertained, and make sure they were safe and comfortable.
I love cooking and baking, and I’m pretty good at math, so I’d be happy to help with homework too! I’m patient, caring, and responsible, and I would love the opportunity to care for your little ones!
I’m a nursing student , I’m a certified Home Health Aide with almost 3 years of caregiving experience. I also have experience caring for my younger cousins, where I helped look after them, spend time with them, keep them entertained, and make sure they were safe and comfortable.
I love cooking and baking, and I’m pretty good at math, so I’d be happy to help with homework too! I’m patient, caring, and responsible, and I would love the opportunity to care for your little ones!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Kemora
Nanny Kemora
New York, NY
$25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hi My Name is Kemora I been working with kids for about 3 years now my first job was an internship summer youth program summer camp in 2023 then i was a afternoon helper assistant in 2024 and now I’m currently working for the Department Of Education with the district 75 schools as a Paraprofessional i love working with kids because I’m a sibling of 6, i am the 2nd oldest on my mom side and 1st oldest on my dad side
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Robermy
Nanny Robermy
New York, NY
$23 - $30/hr
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience
A little bit about me
I’m a compassionate and responsible individual with a strong background in child care and early childhood education. I have hands-on experience as a toddler classroom teacher, where I designed engaging activities to promote cognitive and social development. My experience as a 5th-grade STEM teacher has equipped me with creative strategies to foster learning and curiosity. Additionally, my bilingual skills in English and Spanish allow me to connect with a broader range of families. I am dedicated to creating a safe, nurturing, and fun environment for children to thrive.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Amantha
Nanny Amantha
New York, NY
$25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Amantha and I am a sweet, fun, responsible, and energetic babysitter! I have been babysitting for 3 years now and absolutely love hanging out with the kids and making sure they are happy, entertained, and engaged while also ensuring a happy, safe environment. I would be thrilled to meet you and your family and be someone your kids will enjoy being around!