Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Pittsburgh, PA in 2026?

In Pittsburgh, PA, the average babysitter earns about $18.98 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $759/week or $3,290/month. Most Pittsburgh families pay somewhere in the $7–$29/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$18.98/hr · Pittsburgh average

These numbers come from 333 live babysitter listings in Pittsburgh on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$759
$3,290
$39,478

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What drives the price

Most Pittsburgh families pay somewhere in the $7–$29/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 $17.85/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $21.47/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)$18.98
2 kids~$19.98
3+ kids~$20.98+

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$20.91/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$18.94/hr
Occasional5–15 hrs/week$18.19/hr
Live-inSet by family$19.05/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.

Browse babysitters

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

Pittsburgh sits close to the national average for babysitter rates.

Hiring babysitters in Pittsburgh, PA typically costs about 9% more than the Pennsylvania average of $17/hour and 1% more than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Pittsburgh, PA and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh, PA$19/hr
Pennsylvania$17/hr-8%
United States$19/hr-1%

Where Pittsburgh, PA fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $15.92/hour in Erie to $20.43/hour in West Chester.

Below: how each compares to the Pittsburgh, PA average of $18.98/hour — Pittsburgh, PA is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Pittsburgh, PA ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Pittsburgh, PA
1West Chester$20.43+8%
2Philadelphia$19.35+2%
Pittsburgh$18.98
4State College$17.50-8%
5Lancaster$17.31-9%
6Allentown$17.00-10%
7York$16.33-14%
8Reading$16.33-14%
9Harrisburg$16.17-15%
10Erie$15.92-16%
Most expensive nearby: West Chester ($20.43) Least expensive nearby: Erie ($15.92)

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 Pittsburgh, PA

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 Pittsburgh, PA

    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 Pittsburgh, PA

333 active listings in Pittsburgh

Alexis M. - Seeking Work in Pittsburgh

Nanny Alexis

Pittsburgh, PA
$20 - $26/hr
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello I am 21 years old and a pharmacy technician enrolled in local ccac currently for nursing. I am 1 of 9 children. I have a French bulldog named Priscilla, who I love hanging out with all my time available. I enjoy being outside in the summer pool,parks,crafts etc I love teaching basic math and English to toddlers and helping older children when homework and etc. I love doing crafts and painting. I play soccer on my free time also and love sports. I have 5 years experience in nannying. I enjoy spending my free time outdoors and exploring nature

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Danya T. - Seeking Work in Pittsburgh

Nanny Danya

Pittsburgh, PA
$17 - $20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Danya, and I am a 19-year-old college student. I have experience working with children through babysitting, summer camps, and mentoring programs. I am reliable, patient, and love creating a fun and safe environment for kids. I’m also happy to assist with light housekeeping, meal prep, and homework help when needed!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certification

CPR
Brynn M. - Seeking Work in Pittsburgh

Nanny Brynn

Pittsburgh, PA
$25 - $35/hr
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Brynn! I am 22 years old and I just graduated in early May as a Nursing major from the University of Pittsburgh. I begin working for UPMC Shadyside as an RN in late July 2026. I have babysat my whole life, and have worked 1+ years in Labor & Delivery. I have a special interest in infant care, but my schedules will be limited for nannying due to my committment as a nurse. I would love to help pick up any slack where I can for new mothers!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Mykenzie B. - Seeking Work in Pittsburgh

Nanny Mykenzie

Pittsburgh, PA
$18 - $20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

I have been working in childcare for 6 years and have a bachelors degree in education! I love working with children and will also be pursuing my masters degree in behavioral analysis.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Izzy T. - Seeking Work in Pittsburgh

Nanny Izzy

Pittsburgh, PA
$18/hr
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Izzy 😊 I’m a graduating senior at Pitt’s School of Nursing and currently completing my clinicals at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Working with kids is truly my passion. As the oldest in my family, caring for others has always come naturally to me, and I’ve been babysitting for as long as I can remember. I’m responsible, patient, energetic, and always strive to create a fun, safe, and supportive environment.

I am looking for a part-time position starting in April and am also interested in summer-long opportunities with families! Please reach out with questions and I would love to help out!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Alexis H. - Seeking Work in Pittsburgh

Nanny Alexis

Pittsburgh, PA
$18/hr
Occasional
8 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I'm Alexis
I'm a 25-year-old babysitter based in the Oakland area with over 10 years of experience caring for children of all ages. I’m BLS certified and currently a graduate student, offering part-time availability on evenings and weekends.
I specialize in working with infants through 8-year-olds and love creating a safe, nurturing, and fun environment where kids can thrive. Whether you need occasional help or a regular sitter, I’d love to connect with you and see if we’re a great fit for each other!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Angie L. - Seeking Work in Pittsburgh

Nanny Angie

Pittsburgh, PA
$25 - $30/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hi!

I’m 27 years old with a strong passion for helping others. I’ve worked as a pharmacy technician for over seven years and have been involved in childcare since high school, caring for children of all ages—from newborns to teens, including those with special needs.

For the past four years, I’ve proudly worked as a nanny, forming a close bond with the family and supporting their children through important stages of development. I’m usually with them Friday through Sunday, and I also help out during the week when needed, like covering vacations or school days off. My schedule is typically set 3-4 months in advance, so there’s always a clear and organized idea of what my availability looks like. Because I plan to continue supporting them, I’m hoping to find a family that can be flexible alongside that schedule.

When I’m not working, you can find me tending to my garden, trying out new restaurants with my fiancé, or reading a book with my three cats curled up beside me.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Olivia W. - Seeking Work in Pittsburgh

Nanny Olivia

Pittsburgh, PA
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
7 years experience

A little bit about me

- Recent Pitt Graduate
- Theatre, film, and English triple major
- Cooking and Cleaning skills
- 7+ years babysitting experience
- Shark lover
- Current availability in place until June 20

Recent reference

"Olivia grew up in the house behind our family and as we have young children, she has watched our kids over the years many times! She is wonderful with children and has always done a great job for us. I highly recommend Olivia."
- Gwen
Britynn S. - Seeking Work in Pittsburgh

Nanny Britynn

Pittsburgh, PA
$20/hr
Occasional
6 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I'm a student at the University of Pittsburgh pursuing pediatric nursing. I am looking to earn some extra money starting in May. I have been babysitting for neighbors and family friends since I was 13. I have a 5 year old brother and 3 year old sister that my mother adopted from birth. So, my experience ranges from preparing and feeding formula every 3hrs during the night, to teaching them how to ride a bike. Helping raise my siblings from birth was tough, but also so rewarding and helped me choose my career path I am working toward today. I have also had clinical experience in pediatric units, so I'm pretty well-versed when it comes to care for little ones.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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