Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a full-time nanny cost in San Francisco, CA in 2026?
In San Francisco, CA, the average full-time nanny earns about $28.03 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $1,121/week or $4,859/month. Most San Francisco families pay somewhere in the $17–$40/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 218 live full-time nanny listings in San Francisco on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $1,121
- Monthly
- $4,859
- Annual
- $58,302
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What drives the price
Most San Francisco families pay somewhere in the $17–$40/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) | $28.03 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$29.03 |
| 3+ kids | ~$30.03+ |
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 full-time nanny rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $28.72/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Live-in | Set by family | $27.65/hr | See live-in rates → |
Live-in arrangements look cheaper per hour because room and board are part of the package. The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the full-time nanny.
How do San Francisco full-time nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
San Francisco is one of the more expensive full-time nanny markets in the country.
Hiring full-time nannies in San Francisco, CA typically costs about 21% more than the California average of $23/hour and 44% more than the United States average of $20/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $28/hr | — |
| California | $23/hr | -17% |
| United States | $20/hr | -30% |
Where San Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA average of $28.03/hour — San Francisco, CA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by full-time nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $28.03 | — | |
| 2 | San Jose | $26.29 | -6% | |
| 3 | Oakland | $25.39 | -9% | |
| 4 | Los Angeles | $25.14 | -10% | |
| 5 | San Diego | $23.89 | -15% | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $21.60 | -23% | |
| 7 | Stockton | $19.64 | -30% | |
| 8 | Bakersfield | $19.16 | -32% | |
| 9 | Fresno | $18.98 | -32% |
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?
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a full-time nanny in San Francisco, 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 Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA
218 active listings in San Francisco
Nanny Hendrik
Nanny Hendrik
A little bit about me
collaborating with diverse teams, resolving workplace challenges through effective communication, and maintaining a
solution-oriented mindset. Skilled at organizing daily work plans, allocating tasks efficiently, and ensuring projects are
completed successfully and on schedule. Passionate about building positive relationships
Have experience working with
Nanny Madison
Nanny Madison
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Genesis
Nanny Genesis
A little bit about me
I enjoy age-appropriate outdoor activities, parks, reading, learning through play, and engaging children in fun everyday activities, snack/lunch prep, and little adventure days. I also enjoy teaching younger kids simple things throughout the day like colors, shapes, counting, phonics, letters, and basic learning through play and everyday activities.
I’m naturally patient, nurturing, and very used to caring for toddlers full-time. I’d love to find a family that likes the idea of their child having companionship, outdoor experiences, learning, and a more warm and engaging environment throughout the day.
Certifications
Nanny Griselda
Nanny Griselda
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Irene
Nanny Irene
A little bit about me
My location is set to The Bay Area, but I am available for any location in California and can relocate to new York as needed.
Have experience working with
Nanny Sophia
Nanny Sophia
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Rina
Nanny Rina
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Recent reference
Nanny Rosa
Nanny Rosa
A little bit about me
Nanny Diana
Nanny Diana
A little bit about me
I am fully vaccinated.
Thank you!