Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a full-time nanny cost in Portsmouth, VA in 2026?
In Portsmouth, VA, the average full-time nanny earns about $15.33 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $613/week or $2,657/month. Most Portsmouth families pay somewhere in the $12–$20/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 74 live full-time nanny listings in Portsmouth on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $613
- Monthly
- $2,657
- Annual
- $31,886
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What drives the price
Most Portsmouth families pay somewhere in the $12–$20/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) | $15.33 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$16.33 |
| 3+ kids | ~$17.33+ |
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.
How do Portsmouth full-time nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
Portsmouth runs below the U.S. average for full-time nanny rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.
Hiring full-time nannies in Portsmouth, VA typically costs about 12% less than the Virginia average of $17/hour and 11% less than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Portsmouth, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth, VA | $15/hr | — |
| Virginia | $17/hr | +13% |
| United States | $17/hr | +13% |
Where Portsmouth, VA fits among nearby cities
The most expensive city for full-time nannies near Portsmouth, VA is Mc Lean at $20.67/hour; the least expensive is Lynchburg at $14.74/hour.
Below are the 10 most and 10 least expensive cities near Portsmouth, VA and how each compares to Portsmouth, VA's average of $15.33/hour.
Most expensive cities near Portsmouth, VA
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Portsmouth, VA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mc Lean | $20.67 | +35% | |
| 2 | Vienna | $19.40 | +27% | |
| 3 | Arlington | $19.38 | +26% | |
| 4 | Leesburg | $19.04 | +24% | |
| 5 | Falls Church | $18.63 | +22% | |
| 6 | Charlottesville | $18.36 | +20% | |
| 7 | Annandale | $18.33 | +20% | |
| 8 | Herndon | $18.24 | +19% | |
| 9 | Fairfax | $17.94 | +17% | |
| 10 | Alexandria | $17.78 | +16% |
Least expensive cities near Portsmouth, VA
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Portsmouth, VA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lynchburg | $14.74 | -4% | |
| 2 | Hampton | $14.76 | -4% | |
| 3 | Norfolk | $14.81 | -3% | |
| 4 | Roanoke | $14.90 | -3% | |
| 5 | Chesapeake | $14.98 | -2% | |
| 6 | Newport News | $15.09 | -2% | |
| 7 | PortsmouthThis city | $15.14 | -1% | |
| 8 | Fredericksburg | $15.30 | — | |
| 9 | Winchester | $15.33 | — | |
| 10 | Virginia Beach | $15.51 | +1% |
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 Portsmouth, VA
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 Portsmouth, VA
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 Portsmouth, VA
74 active listings in Portsmouth