Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a child care provider cost in Lakewood, WA in 2026?
In Lakewood, WA, the average child care provider earns about $19.85 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $794/week or $3,441/month. Most Lakewood families pay somewhere in the $17–$27/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 59 live child care provider listings in Lakewood on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $794
- Monthly
- $3,441
- Annual
- $41,288
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What drives the price
Most Lakewood families pay somewhere in the $17–$27/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) | $19.85 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$20.85 |
| 3+ kids | ~$21.85+ |
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 | $20.54/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $20.05/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 Lakewood child care provider rates compare to state and national averages?
Lakewood runs above the U.S. average for child care provider rates, in line with most major metros.
Hiring child care in Lakewood, WA typically costs about the same as the Washington average of $20/hour and 18% more than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Lakewood, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Lakewood, WA | $20/hr | — |
| Washington | $20/hr | +0% |
| United States | $17/hr | -16% |
Where Lakewood, WA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough child care provider data to compare, with rates ranging from $17.81/hour in Kennewick to $23.38/hour in Seattle.
Below: how each compares to the Lakewood, WA average of $19.85/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by child care provider rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Lakewood, WA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | $23.38 | +18% | |
| 2 | Everett | $21.25 | +7% | |
| 3 | Tacoma | $19.69 | -1% | |
| 4 | Puyallup | $19.50 | -2% | |
| 5 | Bellingham | $19.25 | -3% | |
| 6 | Olympia | $19.19 | -3% | |
| 7 | Vancouver | $19.18 | -3% | |
| 8 | Spokane | $18.10 | -9% | |
| 9 | Yakima | $18.01 | -9% | |
| 10 | Kennewick | $17.81 | -10% |
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?
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How families use Nanny Lane to find a child care provider in Lakewood, WA
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 Lakewood, WA
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 Lakewood, WA
59 active listings in Lakewood
Nanny Kylie
Nanny Kylie
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Nanny Divinefavour
Nanny Divinefavour
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Nanny Eulalia
Nanny Eulalia
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Nanny Kim
Nanny Kim
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Nanny Yana
Nanny Yana
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Nanny Gisselle Lyda
Nanny Gisselle Lyda
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Nanny Asha
Nanny Asha
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Nanny Asia
Nanny Asia
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Have experience working with
Nanny Jasmine
Nanny Jasmine
A little bit about me
I have plenty of experience with kids as I have my own and I have babysat a lot of kids in general . I’m looking for something part time , possibly long term just depends . I do work with people who has disabilities as my job currently but I’m wanting a side job so that’s why I’m saying part time for now . I love kids ! I’m great with all ages . I’m patient and love to care for others while helping out a family !