Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Wausau, WI in 2026?
In Wausau, WI, the average babysitter earns about $16.27 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $651/week or $2,820/month. Most Wausau families pay somewhere in the $10–$22/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 58 live babysitter listings in Wausau on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $651
- Monthly
- $2,820
- Annual
- $33,842
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What drives the price
Most Wausau families pay somewhere in the $10–$22/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.
Experience
Number of kids
| 1 kid (baseline) | $16.27 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$17.27 |
| 3+ kids | ~$18.27+ |
Hours & 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
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $16.60/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $16.51/hr |
Part-time and full-time hourly rates are similar here — short schedules don't always command a premium when full-time openings are easy to fill.
How do Wausau babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Wausau runs below the U.S. average for babysitter rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.
Hiring babysitters in Wausau, WI typically costs about 5% less than the Wisconsin average of $17/hour and 14% less than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Wausau, WI |
|---|---|---|
| Wausau, WI | $16/hr | — |
| Wisconsin | $17/hr | +5% |
| United States | $19/hr | +16% |
Where Wausau, WI fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $15.72/hour in Janesville to $19.75/hour in Madison.
Below: how each compares to the Wausau, WI average of $16.27/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Wausau, WI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison | $19.75 | +21% | |
| 2 | Wauwatosa | $18.88 | +16% | |
| 3 | Milwaukee | $17.60 | +8% | |
| 4 | Kenosha | $17.19 | +6% | |
| 5 | Appleton | $16.87 | +4% | |
| 6 | Green Bay | $16.70 | +3% | |
| 7 | La Crosse | $16.59 | +2% | |
| 8 | Oshkosh | $16.52 | +2% | |
| 9 | Eau Claire | $16.38 | +1% | |
| 10 | Janesville | $15.72 | -3% |
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?
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a babysitter in Wausau, WI
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 Wausau, WI
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 Wausau, WI
58 active listings in Wausau
Nanny Alayna
Nanny Alayna
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Nanny Morgan
Nanny Morgan
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I'm super energetic and love staying active, whether that's playing outside, kicking around a soccer ball, or going on little nature walks. I also love baking (especially cookies!) and would be more than happy to do fun activities like that with your kids. I'm responsible, organized, and actually enjoy cleaning and keeping things neat. I always try to bring a positive attitude and make sure the kids I watch feel safe, happy, and cared for. If you're looking for someone who's reliable, fun, and great with kids, I’d love the chance to help out your family!
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Nanny Grace
Nanny Grace
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Nanny Elexa
Nanny Elexa
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Nanny Adrianna
Nanny Adrianna
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Nanny Jaidlyn
Nanny Jaidlyn
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I have many years of childcare experience and looking to help families out in the area. I can help with childcare, cooking and cleaning! I am looking for afterschool/night needs.
Looking forward to seeing if I can be a great fit for your family!
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Nanny Emerson
Nanny Emerson
Nanny Natasha
Nanny Natasha
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