Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Rochester, NY in 2026?

In Rochester, NY, the average babysitter earns about $19.14 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $766/week or $3,318/month. Most Rochester families pay somewhere in the $16–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$19.14/hr · Rochester average

These numbers come from 497 live babysitter listings in Rochester on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$766
$3,318
$39,811

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What drives the price

Most Rochester families pay somewhere in the $16–$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 $18.79/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $20.57/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)$19.14
2 kids~$20.14
3+ kids~$21.14+

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$20.14/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$19.18/hr
Occasional5–15 hrs/week$19.38/hr
Live-inSet by family$18.68/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 arrangements look cheaper per hour because room and board are part of the package.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 Rochester babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?

Rochester sits close to the national average for babysitter rates.

Hiring babysitters in Rochester, NY typically costs about 11% less than the New York average of $21/hour and 1% more than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Rochester, NY and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Rochester, NY
Rochester, NY$19/hr
New York$21/hr+12%
United States$19/hr-1%

Where Rochester, NY fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $18.67/hour in Syracuse to $24.07/hour in New York.

Below: how each compares to the Rochester, NY average of $19.14/hour — Rochester, NY is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Rochester, NY ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Rochester, NY
1New York$24.07+26%
2Flushing$22.80+19%
3Brooklyn$22.68+18%
4Queens$21.25+11%
5The Bronx$20.75+8%
6Staten Island$20.31+6%
7Albany$19.45+2%
Rochester$19.14
9Buffalo$19.05
10Syracuse$18.67-2%
Most expensive nearby: New York ($24.07) Least expensive nearby: Syracuse ($18.67)

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 Rochester, 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:

  1. 01

    Browse babysitter profiles in Rochester, NY

    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 Rochester, NY

497 active listings in Rochester

Alina L. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Alina

Rochester, NY
$18 - $20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I’m Alina. I started babysitting my four younger cousins when I was 12, and caring for kids has always been something I enjoy. I love cooking, playing soccer and volleyball, and I have a year of housekeeping experience. I graduated high school a year early and I am currently in college. I also have a little coffee cart business the I started.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Keli C. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Keli

Rochester, NY
$19/hr
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

For the past 3 years, I’ve had the joy of working with children, creating a safe, fun, and nurturing environment where they can learn and grow. I love caring for little ones, teaching them new skills, and being a positive part of their lives as they reach new milestones.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Lina H. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Lina

Rochester, NY
$15.50 - $25/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I'm Lina (13 years old), I'm currently looking for work as a babysitter. If you'd like some free time, I'm available! I'm patient, I love kids, I have taken the Red Cross Babysitters Course so I am CPR certified. I have around 3 years taking care of younger family members and creating a calm, safe, fun, and educational space for children is my first priority.

My services range from:
Helping with homework
Creating fun activities
Helping to create a calm environment during nap times or bed times
Bathing & dressing
Basic housekeeping
Snack preparation

I am available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3PM-8PM, as well as on Sundays from 2PM-9PM.

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
I'Lynd C. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny I'Lynd

Rochester, NY
$17 - $22/hr
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

I adore children! I aspire to become a child therapist. I’m usually always with my baby sisters. I’m very creative and can cook exceptionally well. I love the outdoors! I’m very good with kids. I enjoy video games and painting or coloring. I’m also in school and work only four days a week at my main job. Additionally, I’m an upcoming wedding planner and florist as well. I truly love animals. My two kitties are my world.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

First Aid
Kaylee B. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Kaylee

Rochester, NY
$20/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Kaylee! I'm currently going into my Junior Year at the University of Pittsburgh to study physical therapy. I love going for walks, shopping, spending time outside, doing crafts, watching movies and baking/cooking! I'm also great with animals, as I have 2 cats and 1 kitten of my own at home.

Certification

First Aid
Elianna N. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Elianna

Rochester, NY
$20 - $24/hr
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I’m Ellie, and I have over 10 years of experience working with children of all ages. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work in a children’s hair salon, where I helped create fun and positive experiences for kids, as well as host children’s events and birthday parties.

Currently, I work as a Treatment Coordinator at a pediatric dental office, where I interact with children and families every day, helping kids feel comfortable and supported in a healthcare setting.

In addition to my professional experience, I have many years of babysitting experience and truly enjoy building meaningful connections with children while providing a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment. I am CPR certified and prioritize each child’s safety and well-being at all times.

I am reliable, patient, energetic, and passionate about helping children learn, grow, and have fun. I look forward to meeting your family! 😊👶✨

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certification

CPR
Kate P. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Kate

Rochester, NY
$20/hr
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

I am a school counselor and have worked with children 6weeks to 18. I’m currently working in RCSD at the elementary level. I am looking to care for a child/ren outside of school hours

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Jhmari M. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Jhmari

Rochester, NY
$16 - $20/hr
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I’ve always babysat my cousins and family friends while growing up so I have previous experience and I would love to be a convenience for you! I also have a 3 year old daughter so I have plenty of experience with young children as well!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Adrianna O. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Adrianna

Rochester, NY
$17 - $30/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I'm a dependable, patient, and caring sitter looking for babysitting and nannying opportunities. I have experience providing respite care for my 7 year old cousin who is nonverbal and autistic which has taught me a lot about patience, understanding, and being flexible. I genuinely enjoy working with children and love creating a safe, fun, and supportive environment where they can feel comfortable and be themselves. I'm reliable, attentive, and treat every child with the same care and kindness I would give my own family.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
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