Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a full-time nanny cost in San Diego, CA in 2026?
In San Diego, CA, the average full-time nanny earns about $23.89 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $956/week or $4,141/month. Most San Diego families pay somewhere in the $17–$35/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$23.89/hr · San Diego average
These numbers come from 301 live full-time nanny listings in San Diego on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $956
- Monthly
- $4,141
- Annual
- $49,691
Find full-time nannies near you
What drives the price
Most San Diego families pay somewhere in the $17–$35/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 full-time nannys command higher rates. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $22.32/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $26.42/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
| 1 kid (baseline) | $23.89 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$24.89 |
| 3+ kids | ~$25.89+ |
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
| 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 full-time nanny rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $24.48/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Live-in | Set by family | $24.38/hr | See live-in rates → |
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 full-time nanny.
How do San Diego full-time nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
San Diego is one of the more expensive full-time nanny markets in the country.
Hiring full-time nannies in San Diego, CA typically costs about 3% more than the California average of $23/hour and 22% more than the United States average of $20/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA | $24/hr | — |
| California | $23/hr | -3% |
| United States | $20/hr | -18% |
Where San Diego, CA fits among nearby cities
9 nearby cities have enough full-time nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $18.98/hour in Fresno to $28.03/hour in San Francisco.
Below: how each compares to the San Diego, CA average of $23.89/hour — San Diego, CA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by full-time nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $28.03 | +17% | |
| 2 | San Jose | $26.29 | +10% | |
| 3 | Oakland | $25.39 | +6% | |
| 4 | Los Angeles | $25.14 | +5% | |
| 5 | San Diego | $23.89 | — | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $21.60 | -10% | |
| 7 | Stockton | $19.64 | -18% | |
| 8 | Bakersfield | $19.16 | -20% | |
| 9 | Fresno | $18.98 | -21% |
● Most expensive nearby: San Francisco ($28.03)● Least expensive nearby: Fresno ($18.98)
Tips to find a great full-time nanny without overpaying
- Be flexible on experience. Some of the best full-time nannies on the platform have 3–5 years on the job and charge meaningfully less than experienced full-time nannies 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 full-time nannies 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.
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a full-time nanny in San Diego, CA
Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with full-time nannies — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:
- 01
Browse full-time nanny profiles in San Diego, CA
Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.
- 02
Message the ones who look like a fit
Reach out to the full-time nannies 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 full-time nanny fits with your family in real time.
- 04
Hire your full-time nanny
If you'd rather not handle taxes and payroll yourself, our payroll team can take care of it.
Available full-time nannies in San Diego, CA
301 active listings in San Diego
Nanny Tiana
Nanny Tiana
San Diego, CA
$25 - $35/hr
Full-time
9 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi families! I’m excited to introduce myself and share a bit about who I am and my experience with childcare.
My hobbies include painting, working out outdoors, spending time with friends, decorating, and cooking and baking.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and have over 9 years of experience working with infants and elementary-aged children. Throughout my career, I’ve supported students in developing social-emotional learning skills as well as academic skills in math, reading, and science. I’ve also had the opportunity to teach outdoor education, which I absolutely love.
My teaching approach is very hands-on, as I’ve found that children learn best when they are actively engaged—especially since it’s easy for them to get distracted. I’m comfortable managing classrooms of up to 20 children, but nannying has always felt like a true calling to me because it allows for a more intentional, and personalized approach to caregiving.
My hobbies include painting, working out outdoors, spending time with friends, decorating, and cooking and baking.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and have over 9 years of experience working with infants and elementary-aged children. Throughout my career, I’ve supported students in developing social-emotional learning skills as well as academic skills in math, reading, and science. I’ve also had the opportunity to teach outdoor education, which I absolutely love.
My teaching approach is very hands-on, as I’ve found that children learn best when they are actively engaged—especially since it’s easy for them to get distracted. I’m comfortable managing classrooms of up to 20 children, but nannying has always felt like a true calling to me because it allows for a more intentional, and personalized approach to caregiving.
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Susanna
Nanny Susanna
San Diego, CA
$23/hr
Full-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello! I am an outdoor educator and experienced nanny. I love working with kids of all ages and seeing the creative ways their minds work. My favorite ways to care for kids are spending time outside, reading books together, and following their interests. Please let me know if you have any questions for me!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Mustafa
Nanny Mustafa
San Diego, CA
$17 - $18/hr
Full-time
Part-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
My name is Mustafa. I am 16 years old. I am from Afghanistan. I am in ninth grade. I have been babysitting for 11 months. I take care of children. I love to play with kids, and I have a 7-year-old brother. I like to play with my brother, just like how I play with babysitters.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certification
First Aid
Nanny Lizbeth
Nanny Lizbeth
San Diego, CA
$21 - $25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello, my name is Lizbeth. I am 21 years old, and I have experience working with children ranging from ages 5-12, grades tk-6 for 3 years. I am bls/cpr/first aid certified. I enjoy working with children and will be study child development in college to pursue a career in Child Development Specialist. I have full open availability and willing to work weekends if necessary.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Reese
Nanny Reese
San Diego, CA
$25 - $30/hr
Full-time
1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hi my name is Reese Lamp. I am from El Cajon and am 20 years old. I am the second of six children which has given me lots of experience with children of all ages. My four younger siblings are ages 8-15 and I have helped them grow up and taken care of them. I babysit a lot and love being with kids. I am attending college in Utah but will be home for the summer from June 22 to August 15 and am looking to work as much as possible. I have a car and am willing to drive and be flexible with my schedule.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Lily
Nanny Lily
San Diego, CA
$20 - $30/hr
Full-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
I am a student at SDSU! I love kids and I was born and raised here in San Diego. I love any kinds of activities, and am super outgoing!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certification
CPR
Nanny Siriyakorn
Nanny Siriyakorn
San Diego, CA
$30 - $45/hr
Full-time
Part-time
9 years experience
A little bit about me
A dedicated nanny with 9 years of experience working with children. Create engaging activities that incorporate learning through play and build children's social, emotional, and behavioral skills. Highly organized and able to care for multiple children at once with safety. Love all outdoor activities and find them useful with numerous benefits for children's mental and physical development.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Jayden
Nanny Jayden
San Diego, CA
$23/hr
Full-time
5 years experience
A little bit about me
Warm 21-year-old nanny available for a new family! 🌟 4+ years experience with children aged 6 months–10 years. CPR/First Aid Certified. I love planning interactive activities and bringing positive energy into the home. Reliable car, clean record. Looking for full time.
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Melody
Nanny Melody
San Diego, CA
$23/hr
Full-time
6 years experience
A little bit about me
I have my own car and I’m bilingual (english and spanish). I live in Del Mar, CA 📍 I have no issues with commuting or driving. 🚗
Availability:
✅ Full-time availability
Open schedule including mornings 🌄, afternoons, evenings, and overnight care. 🌌
🕒 Monday–Friday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
🕒 Saturday: 5:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Pay is between $23-$26 depending on role and number of kiddos:)
Looking forward to supporting a loving family. Feel free to message me!!
Caring and reliable nanny Infant & toddler care (6+ years of experience).
What I can help with:
Child safety, daily routines (meal prep, naps, school pick-ups & drop-offs, driving to extracurricular activities, learning through play & early childhood development, homework help & tutoring in Spanish ) and I am comfortable with cleaning and household duties.
Patient, responsible, and genuinely love working with children, always making them feel safe, supported, and happy.
Availability:
✅ Full-time availability
Open schedule including mornings 🌄, afternoons, evenings, and overnight care. 🌌
🕒 Monday–Friday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
🕒 Saturday: 5:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Pay is between $23-$26 depending on role and number of kiddos:)
Looking forward to supporting a loving family. Feel free to message me!!
Caring and reliable nanny Infant & toddler care (6+ years of experience).
What I can help with:
Child safety, daily routines (meal prep, naps, school pick-ups & drop-offs, driving to extracurricular activities, learning through play & early childhood development, homework help & tutoring in Spanish ) and I am comfortable with cleaning and household duties.
Patient, responsible, and genuinely love working with children, always making them feel safe, supported, and happy.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs