Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated June 2026

How much does a child care provider cost in Cary, NC in 2026?

In Cary, NC, the average child care provider earns about $20.11 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $804/week or $3,486/month. Most Cary families pay somewhere in the $10–$30/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$20.11/hr · Cary average

These numbers come from 72 live child care provider listings in Cary on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

Weekly (40 hrs): $804
Monthly: $3,486
Annual: $41,829

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What drives the price

Most Cary families pay somewhere in the $10–$30/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.

Experience

Experience doesn't make a noticeable difference to child care provider rates in Cary, NC. Entry-level (3-5 yrs) average $20.73/hour, and the most experienced (6-10 yrs) come in at a similar $21.26/hour.

Avg hourly rate by years of experience

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)	$20.11
2 kids	~$21.11
3+ kids	~$22.11+

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 child care provider rates

Arrangement	Typical hours	Average rate
Full-time	35–50 hrs/week	$22.05/hr
Part-time	10–25 hrs/week	$21.29/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.

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How do Cary child care provider rates compare to state and national averages?

Cary runs above the U.S. average for child care provider rates, in line with most major metros.

Hiring child care in Cary, NC typically costs about 16% more than the North Carolina average of $17/hour and 6% more than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly child care rates compared across Cary, NC and reference areas.
Area	Average hourly rate	vs. Cary, NC
Cary, NC	$20/hr	—
North Carolina	$17/hr	-14%
United States	$19/hr	-6%

Where Cary, NC fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough child care provider data to compare, with rates ranging from $14.61/hour in Jacksonville to $20.11/hour in Cary.

Below: how each compares to the Cary, NC average of $20.11/hour — Cary, NC is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by child care provider rate

10 cities near Cary, NC ranked by average hourly child care provider rate, most to least expensive.
#	City	$/hr	vs. Cary, NC
1	CaryThis city	$20.11	—
2	Charlotte	$19.84	-1%
3	Durham	$19.72	-2%
4	Raleigh	$19.47	-3%
5	Wilmington	$18.37	-9%
6	Winston Salem	$17.45	-13%
7	Greensboro	$16.51	-18%
8	Greenville	$15.18	-25%
9	Fayetteville	$14.64	-27%
10	Jacksonville	$14.61	-27%

● Most expensive nearby: Cary ($20.11)● Least expensive nearby: Jacksonville ($14.61)

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?

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 child care provider in Cary, NC

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 Cary, NC
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.

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