Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a nanny cost in Gary, IN in 2026?

In Gary, IN, the average nanny earns about $15.84 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $634/week or $2,746/month. Most Gary families pay somewhere in the $9–$20/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$15.84/hr · Gary average

These numbers come from 36 live nanny listings in Gary on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$634
$2,746
$32,947

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What drives the price

Most Gary families pay somewhere in the $9–$20/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 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)$15.84
2 kids~$16.84
3+ kids~$17.84+

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 Gary nanny rates compare to state and national averages?

Gary runs below the U.S. average for nanny rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.

Hiring nannies in Gary, IN typically costs about 6% less than the Indiana average of $17/hour and 18% less than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly nannies rates compared across Gary, IN and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Gary, IN
Gary, IN$16/hr—
Indiana$17/hr+6%
United States$19/hr+23%

Where Gary, IN fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $15.37/hour in Evansville to $21.27/hour in Carmel.

Below: how each compares to the Gary, IN average of $15.84/hour.

Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate

10 cities near Gary, IN ranked by average hourly nanny rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Gary, IN
1Carmel$21.27+34%
2Fishers$19.26+22%
3Indianapolis$17.85+13%
4South Bend$17.17+8%
5Greenwood$16.78+6%
6Lafayette$16.71+5%
7Fort Wayne$16.54+4%
8Valparaiso$16.50+4%
9Bloomington$16.05+1%
10Evansville$15.37-3%
● Most expensive nearby: Carmel ($21.27)● Least expensive nearby: Evansville ($15.37)

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.
Learn more about nanny sharing

How families use Nanny Lane to find a nanny in Gary, IN

Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with nannies — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:

  1. 01

    Browse nanny profiles in Gary, IN

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

  2. 02

    Message the ones who look like a fit

    Reach out to the 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 nanny fits with your family in real time.

  4. 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 Gary, IN

36 active listings in Gary

Anais R. - Seeking Work in Gary

Nanny Anais

Gary, IN
$16/hr
Full-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is Anais, I have worked with/babysat children for around five years. I was a Montessori teacher for one year and enjoyed it very much. I am passionate about working with children because of their incredible capacity to absorb information. It's truly remarkable to witness how children take in the world around them and grow into unique individuals. Being part of their development, helping them flourish into the leaders of tomorrow, and observing their personalities unfold is incredibly rewarding to me.
I am a reliable, attentive, and hardworking individual. I take pride in always being punctual, if not early, and I am fully committed to every task entrusted to me. My dedication to providing excellent care and support is unwavering.

In terms of my skills, I excel at being responsive to children's needs, ensuring their comfort and enjoyment, and fostering strong communication with parents to keep them informed and involved. :)

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Camara H. - Seeking Work in Gary

Nanny Camara

Gary, IN
$15/hr
Full-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I’m Camara. I’ve always had a natural connection with kids, and working in family daycares really helped me grow that even more. I’ve spent time caring for children of different ages, helping with daily routines, learning activities, and just making sure they feel safe, comfortable, and happy.

Right now, I’m in school working toward my early childhood credentials, so I’m constantly learning new ways to support children’s development, behavior, and learning styles. I like to bring that into my work by being patient, understanding, and hands-on.

I’d describe myself as reliable, calm, and easy to get along with. I take pride in building trust not just with the kids, but with parents too. I pay attention to the little things, keep things organized, and make sure kids are cared for like they’re my own.

Overall, I just genuinely enjoy being around children and helping them grow, learn, and have fun in a safe environment.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Cece L. - Seeking Work in Gary

Nanny Cece

Gary, IN
$15/hr
Full-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Celynndra but I prefer to be called Cece for short. I am 20 years old and have been working with children since high school. During my 11th & 12th grade years, I took an Early Childhood Program and worked with different age groups almost daily. I then worked at a daycare with 1 year olds. Then another daycare with 1 year olds as well, then I moved to Infants. I love working with infants, watching them grow and learn new things daily amazes me. I’ve always been passionate about young children since I was a kid myself, I would want to hold every baby I came across. Working with babies makes me so content, they deserve all the love and teaching they can get to successfully flourish.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certification

CPR
Telia W. - Seeking Work in Gary

Nanny Telia

Gary, IN
$16/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I’m Telia Williams, and I’m excited about the opportunity to care for your little ones. I’ve been caring for children my entire life as the oldest of five siblings, with ages ranging from 7 to 18. Growing up in a large family has given me hands-on experience with supervising, helping with homework, managing routines, and being a dependable and nurturing presence. I genuinely love working with children and people in general, and I take pride in being patient, kind, and supportive. I would love to build a strong, trusting relationship with both the children and the family I work with. I’m currently working full-time at an Amazon warehouse in Illinois, but I'm seeking a part-time nanny position and can be as flexible as possible. I’m happy to help with light household tasks, homework, and anything else that can help make your days run more smoothly. I will be getting CPR and First Aid Certified as soon as I can! I can’t wait to learn more about your family and how I can support you!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Tabitha G. - Seeking Work in Gary

Nanny Tabitha

Gary, IN
$15/hr
Part-time
8 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi families!
I'm Tabitha, 21 yrs old looking for a consistent nannying position part time. I have many years of experience both professional nannying and family babysitting and would love to help some parents out and give them the peace of mind knowing their children are being cared for by someone responsible and reliable.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certification

CPR
Trinitie S. - Seeking Work in Gary

Nanny Trinitie

Gary, IN
$16/hr
Full-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is trinitie and I’m available for anytime after 6. And I work at 9am so early mornings as well. Anytime before 9 am. I am mobile and have a legal drivers license. so I can drive to you and pick up things you need or if the baby needs to go anywhere I can do that as well. I love to cook so whatever food or snacks you like the baby to eat I’m more then happy to help cook. Arts and crafts and learning activities to keep them active and learning. I love teaching little ones new things it’s exciting to see them grow evolve . I am happy to be the best care giver for your baby .

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Hannah S. - Seeking Work in Gary

Nanny Hannah

Gary, IN
$17/hr
Part-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Hannah. I am a recent college graduate with one year of teaching at a Christian school. I have a large family with many younger siblings. I also serve at my church with the nursery and juniors department. I am hard working and follow conservative Christian values.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Skylar C. - Seeking Work in Gary

Nanny Skylar

Gary, IN
$17/hr
Full-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

I’m 24 years old. I’m currently employed at ResCare taking care of people with intellectual disabilities. I’ve been in this field for about 3/4 years now.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Sofia R. - Seeking Work in Gary

Nanny Sofia

Gary, IN
$17/hr
Part-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Sofia and i've been working for kids for almost a year now. I am able to form quick bonds and I am available most days because I go to college online. I hope you consider me :)

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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