Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a full-time nanny cost in Madison, WI in 2026?

In Madison, WI, the average full-time nanny earns about $20.88 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $835/week or $3,619/month. Most Madison families pay somewhere in the $8–$28/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$20.88/hr · Madison average

These numbers come from 143 live full-time nanny listings in Madison on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$835
$3,619
$43,430

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What drives the price

Most Madison families pay somewhere in the $8–$28/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.


01

Experience

Experience is one of the biggest levers on a full-time nanny's rate.
Nannies with 10+ years, or specialty skills like newborn care or multiple languages, typically command the highest hourly rates.

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
Hourly rate by number of kids
1 kid (baseline)$20.88
2 kids~$21.88
3+ kids~$22.88+

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
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.

How do Madison full-time nanny rates compare to state and national averages?

Madison sits close to the national average for full-time nanny rates.

Hiring full-time nannies in Madison, WI typically costs about 14% more than the Wisconsin average of $18/hour and 5% more than the United States average of $20/hour.

Average hourly full-time nannies rates compared across Madison, WI and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Madison, WI
Madison, WI$21/hr—
Wisconsin$18/hr-12%
United States$20/hr-4%

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.
Learn more about nanny sharing

How families use Nanny Lane to find a full-time nanny in Madison, WI

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:

  1. 01

    Browse full-time nanny profiles in Madison, WI

    Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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 Madison, WI

143 active listings in Madison

Mattea T. - Seeking Work in Madison

Nanny Mattea

Madison, WI
$22 - $30/hr
Full-time
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I have worked with kids most of my life and love being able to help out a family. I love doing arts and crafts, spending time outside, baking, and more!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Amy F. - Seeking Work in Madison

Nanny Amy

Madison, WI
$18 - $25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

I have always loved taking care of kids. Babysitting was my first job at 12-years-old and I have been helping watch other's kids ever since. I took a break from my nanny job when I had my own two daughters. Now that they are both in school, I'm looking to get back into a job I know I'll enjoy. I know CPR and First Aid, despite not being certified. I have studied many different techniques to help with child care, including positive parenting courses, emotional regulation tips, and the like. I am I especially enjoy playing with your child(ren), going to explore parks and nature, chauffeuring, and helping with educational activities.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Quinlan S. - Seeking Work in Madison

Nanny Quinlan

Madison, WI
$20/hr
Full-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I just graduated high school and am looking to help a family during the summer before I leave for college!

Have experience working with

Infants
Natalya B. - Seeking Work in Madison

Nanny Natalya

Madison, WI
$18.28 - $30.12/hr
Full-time
7 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi!, i'm a reliable and caring nanny with experience as a "babysitter\nanny" for family and friends for the past 10 years! as well as experience as a cashier and server which have helped me build very strong communicational and multitasking skills. I love working with children,staying organized and creating a fun and safe environment. I am very patient, loving, responsible and positive. as someone who grew up with a single mother of 5, and me being the oldest and having to step up a lot and help my mother who worked evening-night shifts, it definitely gave me a really big understanding on not only learning patience and responsibility and maturity from a very young age, but also helped me also understand the importance of trust and communication and so this is why I say with a big heart and open arms I am more than willing to help anyone in need! especially in today's current world wide situations I strongly believe we all need to help one another. 🫶

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Addy K. - Seeking Work in Madison

Nanny Addy

Madison, WI
$20 - $25/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Addison “Addy” Kempf, and I’m currently a college student living in Madison looking for a nanny position with a kind and welcoming family. I’m outgoing, dependable, patient, and love creating positive, fun environments for kids. I have experience balancing school, work, and caregiving responsibilities, which has helped me become extremely organized and adaptable.

I’ve worked in customer service, serving, bartending, and caregiving roles, all of which strengthened my communication skills and ability to connect with people of all ages. I also grew up around animals and farm life, so I’m very comfortable helping with pets, routines, meals, transportation, and keeping up with busy households. I love being active, spending time outdoors, and being someone children can feel safe and comfortable around.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Ruby J. - Seeking Work in Madison

Nanny Ruby

Madison, WI
$20/hr
Full-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi!! My name is Ruby and I’m currently a senior in high school. I’m leaving for college in September, and am looking for a full time nannying job over the summer. I have pretty flexible availability too!!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Eliana A. - Seeking Work in Madison

Nanny Eliana

Madison, WI
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi all!
My name is Eliana and I am currently finishing up my art degree online. I grew up in a big family and found a love for working with the children when I was a summer nanny for two young children in highschool. I then focused on my studies throughout college and have been working as a 4k teacher since last July! My center practices play based learning to aid life skills, emotional development, and more. Some other job responsibilities include caring for emotional needs, building healthy relationships with food, social situations with peers, cleanliness and more. My favorite thing about teaching/providing care for children, is exploring all the places that their imagination takes them in learning! As an art student, my best fit would be with a family who values creatively based learning within the home, and any other adventures :). I am most comfortable with ages 2 and beyond, however I have had infant experience within my family, and appropriate trainings via my current job.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Abbey M. - Seeking Work in Madison

Nanny Abbey

Madison, WI
$20/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Abbey Michaelson, I have been a nanny/babysitter for most of my life and have lots of experience. I’m looking for a part-time or full-time position starting at the end of March until mid May when I start my full-time career position.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Jillian W. - Seeking Work in Madison

Nanny Jillian

Madison, WI
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
4 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Jill, and I am a passionate early childhood educator with years of experience working with young children and families. I have spent the majority of my career teaching preschool, where I’ve developed a deep love for supporting children during their most important early learning years.
Families describe me as warm, patient, energetic, and highly organized. I love incorporating outdoor exploration, creative arts, early reading experiences, and practical life skills into everyday routines. Whether we’re reading stories, building with blocks, exploring nature, or working through big feelings, I strive to create an environment where children feel seen, supported, and excited to learn.
I feel honored to partner with families and support children as they grow, discover, and build the foundation for lifelong learning.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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