Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a child care provider cost in Chicago, IL in 2026?
In Chicago, IL, the average child care provider earns about $21.29 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $852/week or $3,690/month. Most Chicago families pay somewhere in the $15–$30/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 1,000 live child care provider listings in Chicago on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $852
- Monthly
- $3,690
- Annual
- $44,283
Find child care near you
What drives the price
Most Chicago families pay somewhere in the $15–$30/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) | $21.29 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$22.29 |
| 3+ kids | ~$23.29+ |
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 child care provider rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $22.54/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $21.03/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $21.17/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 child care provider.
How do Chicago child care provider rates compare to state and national averages?
Chicago runs above the U.S. average for child care provider rates, in line with most major metros.
Hiring child care in Chicago, IL typically costs about 7% more than the Illinois average of $20/hour and 11% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $21/hr | — |
| Illinois | $20/hr | -7% |
| United States | $19/hr | -10% |
Where Chicago, IL fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough child care provider data to compare, with rates ranging from $17.47/hour in Bloomington to $21.29/hour in Chicago.
Below: how each compares to the Chicago, IL average of $21.29/hour — Chicago, IL is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by child care provider rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Chicago, IL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago | $21.29 | — | |
| 2 | Naperville | $20.19 | -5% | |
| 3 | Aurora | $19.81 | -7% | |
| 4 | Bolingbrook | $19.73 | -7% | |
| 5 | Plainfield | $19.68 | -8% | |
| 6 | Elgin | $18.36 | -14% | |
| 7 | Springfield | $18.18 | -15% | |
| 8 | Champaign | $17.66 | -17% | |
| 9 | Rockford | $17.48 | -18% | |
| 10 | Bloomington | $17.47 | -18% |
Tips to find a great child care provider without overpaying
- Be flexible on experience. Some of the best child care on the platform have 3–5 years on the job and charge meaningfully less than experienced child care 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 child care 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 child care provider in Chicago, IL
Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with child care — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:
- 01
Browse child care provider profiles in Chicago, IL
Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.
- 02
Message the ones who look like a fit
Reach out to the child care 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 child care provider fits with your family in real time.
- 04
Hire your child care provider
If you'd rather not handle taxes and payroll yourself, our payroll team can take care of it.
Available child care in Chicago, IL
1,000 active listings in Chicago
Nanny Ivory
Nanny Ivory
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Odeth
Nanny Odeth
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Simranpreet
Nanny Simranpreet
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Abbie
Nanny Abbie
A little bit about me
I have a wide range of interests, and those closest to me would likely call me an adventure seeker. I love to try new things, spend time outside, and (sometimes) get a little messy. In my free time, you can find me reading, watercoloring, going on walks, or hanging with my friends.
Your kids would be in the best hands with me. I love to help them with school, spend time outside, watch movies, and teach them sports. I am also happy to help if you have any cats or dogs in the house and am willing to clean/tidy throughout the day.
I am a strong communicator, on-time, and intentional person and will provide you with daily updates if desired. Thank you for considering me!
Have experience working with
Certification
Nanny Adrienne
Nanny Adrienne
A little bit about me
My name is Adrienne Jones, and I am from Memphis, Tennessee. I have lived in Memphis my whole life, and am moving to the Chicago area in August of 2027 with my best friends!
I have been a nanny for the past 7 years to the sweetest, smartest kids ever! (there’s 7 of them! I’ve been doing a nanny share for two sisters, so I watch alllll the cousins together every day) In fact, when I started nannying for their families, there were only 4 kids between them! Being with their families has been an absolute honor and privilege. I owe most of everything I know about infants, toddlers, and big kids to the precious parents and those 7 (now big) kids!
Before working with these families, I taught at my church’s preschool, worked at a mom’s day out program, and babysat every chance I could. I have been so intrigued and encouraged by little minds for as long as I can remember!
I’m hoping to find another family (or families for a nanny share) to partner with, and make lifelong memories with!
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Breya
Nanny Breya
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Monserrat
Nanny Monserrat
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Zia
Nanny Zia
A little bit about me
I’ve been an infant teacher for three years. I’m very shy and quiet at first but then I come out of my show once I start to take care of the babies that are around me. I am 21 turning 22 in August. I would love to take care of your children.