Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a nanny cost in San Francisco, CA in 2026?
In San Francisco, CA, the average nanny earns about $27.77 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $1,111/week or $4,813/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.
Average hourly rate$27.77/hr · San Francisco average
These numbers come from 307 live nanny listings in San Francisco on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $1,111
- Monthly
- $4,813
- Annual
- $57,762
Find nannies near you
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.
01
Experience
More experienced nannys command higher rates. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $26.33/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $30.38/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) | $27.77 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$28.77 |
| 3+ kids | ~$29.77+ |
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 nanny rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $28.72/hr | See full-time rates → |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $27.60/hr | See part-time rates → |
| Live-in | Set by family | $27.31/hr | See live-in rates → |
Part-time runs slightly lower per hour than full-time here, which often means strong full-time demand supports higher rates for committed schedules.
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 nanny.
How do San Francisco nanny rates compare to state and national averages?
San Francisco is one of the more expensive nanny markets in the country.
Hiring nannies in San Francisco, CA typically costs about 23% more than the California average of $22/hour and 46% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $28/hr | — |
| California | $22/hr | -19% |
| United States | $19/hr | -32% |
Where San Francisco, CA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $18.73/hour in Fresno to $27.77/hour in San Francisco.
Below: how each compares to the San Francisco, CA average of $27.77/hour — San Francisco, CA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $27.77 | — | |
| 2 | San Jose | $25.13 | -10% | |
| 3 | Oakland | $24.99 | -10% | |
| 4 | Los Angeles | $24.45 | -12% | |
| 5 | San Diego | $23.39 | -16% | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $21.05 | -24% | |
| 7 | Riverside | $20.18 | -27% | |
| 8 | Stockton | $19.52 | -30% | |
| 9 | Bakersfield | $18.92 | -32% | |
| 10 | Fresno | $18.73 | -33% |
● Most expensive nearby: San Francisco ($27.77)● Least expensive nearby: Fresno ($18.73)
Tips to find a great nanny without overpaying
- Be flexible on experience. Some of the best nannies on the platform have 3–5 years on the job and charge meaningfully less than experienced 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 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 nanny in San Francisco, CA
Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with nannies — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:
- 01
Browse 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 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 nanny fits with your family in real time.
- 04
Hire your nanny
If you'd rather not handle taxes and payroll yourself, our payroll team can take care of it.
Available nannies in San Francisco, CA
307 active listings in San Francisco
Nanny Madison
Nanny Madison
San Francisco, CA
$25 - $30/hr
Full-time
9 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello hello my name is Maddy Mae. I am 23 years old and I currently work in Sacramento at the boys and girls club. I have years of experience taking care of my baby sister and cousins along with my first job being a babysitter for my local church. I currently work with ages 3 to 7 years old and I have worked at boys and girls club for over 3 years. I love working with kids and seeing the growth they make educationally, along with teaching manners and learning respect and understanding in fun and engaging ways. I always say consistency and patience is key when working with kids and i haven’t been wrong! I look forward to hearing back from you!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Chelsea
Nanny Chelsea
San Francisco, CA
$30 - $40/hr
Part-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Chelsea; I'm a comedy writer and current student at USF getting an MFA in writing. I love travel (I've been to over 50 countries!) and reading, and am passionate about helping families with their little ones. I have 10+ years experience working with newborns to early teens, and can assist with light household tasks like meal prep and laundry. I am nurturing, kind, and reliable, and have just enough anxiety to never be late! :) I look forward to working with you.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Genesis
Nanny Genesis
San Francisco, CA
$22 - $30/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I’m a CPR-certified mom to a 2-year-old daughter and I’m looking for a family that’s open to a nanny mom setup where my daughter can come with me. I genuinely enjoy being around kids and creating a calm, fun, home-like environment for them instead of just sitting inside all day.
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.
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
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Griselda
Nanny Griselda
San Francisco, CA
$28/hr
Full-time
7 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi my name is Griselda I living here in San Francisco I look job the babysitter I interested about job
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Genesis
Nanny Genesis
San Francisco, CA
$27/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I’m a caring and dedicated nanny with a passion for creating a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment for children. With several years of experience caring for kids of all ages, I love designing fun and educational activities that inspire creativity and learning. I believe in building strong, trusting relationships with both children and their families through clear communication, reliability, and a genuine commitment to each child’s well-being. Whether it’s crafting, outdoor adventures, or helping with homework, I strive to make every day a positive and memorable experience. I look forward to the opportunity to support your family and contribute to your child’s growth and happiness.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Irene
Nanny Irene
San Francisco, CA
$28/hr
Full-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
can relocate- anywhere in California and New York.
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.
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
Infants
Nanny Sihle
Nanny Sihle
San Francisco, CA
$27/hr
Full-time
5 years experience
A little bit about me
I have over 7 years of experience as an nanny, early childhood specialist providing compassionate and structured care to children in various family settings. My role has involved managing daily routines, assisting with homework, preparing meals, organizing educational and recreational activities, and fostering a safe and nurturing environment. This experience has enhanced my adaptability, cultural awareness, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills, allowing me to effectively support families and build lasting connections with children.
My professionalism and empathetic approach make me an excellent fit for roles requiring responsibility, organization, and attention to detail.
My professionalism and empathetic approach make me an excellent fit for roles requiring responsibility, organization, and attention to detail.
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Sophia
Nanny Sophia
San Francisco, CA
$30 - $35/hr
Full-time
6 years experience
A little bit about me
I am an outgoing and creative nanny with 6 years of in home childcare experience! Outside of work I value spending time outdoors, playing various sports, spending time with friends, and making ceramics. I am incredibly excited to find my next adventure and meet new people along the way.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Rina
Nanny Rina
San Francisco, CA
$28/hr
Full-time
4 years experience
A little bit about me
My name is Rina I'm 49 years old, mother of three already grown up boys, I'm originally from El Salvador,
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Recent reference
"Rina is amazing with kids, she has taken care mostly of my baby (5 months old when she started) but she has also taken care of my 3 kids all at once (3yr and 5yr). She is great at engaging them and keeping them entertained."
- Monica