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 $19.04 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $762/week or $3,300/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$19.04/hr · Rochester average

These numbers come from 484 live babysitter listings in Rochester on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$762
$3,300
$39,603

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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 $18.73/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $20.23/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)$19.04
2 kids~$20.04
3+ kids~$21.04+

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$19.93/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$19.04/hr
Occasional5–15 hrs/week$19.22/hr
Live-inSet by family$18.24/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 $18.65/hour in Syracuse to $23.99/hour in New York.

Below: how each compares to the Rochester, NY average of $19.04/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$23.99+26%
2Brooklyn$22.54+18%
3Flushing$22.49+18%
4Queens$21.25+12%
5The Bronx$20.71+9%
6Staten Island$20.28+7%
7Albany$19.41+2%
Rochester$19.04
9Buffalo$19.03
10Syracuse$18.65-2%
Most expensive nearby: New York ($23.99) Least expensive nearby: Syracuse ($18.65)

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

484 active listings in Rochester

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 an elementary level

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
Dezirae W. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Dezirae

Rochester, NY
$20/hr
Full-time
Occasional
6 years experience

A little bit about me

I’m 19 years old, very responsible and love to be able to help out in anyway I can. I’ve babysat since I was 13 I love seeing the smiles on our tiny humans
Hailey E. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Hailey

Rochester, NY
$18 - $22/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Hailey Eschberger. I am 22 years old and live in Rochester for grad school. I am currently entering my 3rd and final year of Physical Therapy school at Nazareth University. I will be in town until the end of June for class and am looking for a job in childcare until I go to Buffalo for my clinical rotation. I have previous experience working with children as a summer camp counselor at Bayview YMCA and teaching dance classes to children of various ages!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Akasha S. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Akasha

Rochester, NY
$19/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

I am a caring, dependable, and patient person who genuinely enjoys working with children and supporting families. I have experience helping with daily routines, keeping children engaged in fun and educational activities, and creating a safe, positive environment. I’m organized, attentive, and able to handle responsibilities such as meal preparation, light housekeeping, homework help, and maintaining schedules. I take pride in being trustworthy and communicating well with both children and parents, and I enjoy building strong relationships with the families I work with.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Raina M. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Raina

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

A little bit about me

Hi my name is Raina. I'm 24 years old and I am a Rochester native. I've been caring for and taking care of children for as lomg as I can remember and for the past 3 school years I have been employed the the Rochester City School District working as a paraproffessional. I love being around kids although I have none of my own. I have experience working with up to 18 children at a time on my own, as well as special needs children.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Nikki F. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Nikki

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

A little bit about me

Hello!! My name is Nikki and I am looking to be a part-time baby sitter while finishing my last semester of my Masters in Mental Health Counseling. I have experience caring for children between the ages of 6 months- 6 years old. Other than being a student, I am an assistant teacher at Little Fox Daycare in Henrietta. In this position I am a teacher/caregiver for a group of children between the ages of 6 months- 4 years of age. Little Fox uses an age appropriate curriculum to engage children in all areas of development. Additionally, I have experience working with children at my undergraduate college’s Childhood Development Center (Sarah Lawrence), and teaching swim lessons to beginner learners at Charlotte Beach and at Sarah Lawrence’s pool. A bit about me: I am 25 years old, a pisces, love art including painting and drawing (arts and crafts will be a common theme), Im a cat person, I love nature, baking, and animals!! I am looking for part time/flexible hours. Thank you!! :)

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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