Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a nanny cost in Knoxville, TN in 2026?

In Knoxville, TN, the average nanny earns about $17.86 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $714/week or $3,096/month. Most Knoxville families pay somewhere in the $7–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$17.86/hr · Knoxville average

These numbers come from 368 live nanny listings in Knoxville on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$714
$3,096
$37,149

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What drives the price

Most Knoxville families pay somewhere in the $7–$25/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 $16.84/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $21.33/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
Hourly rate by number of kids
1 kid (baseline)$17.86
2 kids~$18.86
3+ kids~$19.86+

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.

Full-time, part-time, and live-in nanny rates

ArrangementTypical hoursAverage rate
Full-time35–50 hrs/week$19.34/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$17.71/hr
Live-inSet by family$18.02/hr

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 rates are close to live-out here — but the package usually still includes room and board, so the all-in cost can be lower than it appears. The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the nanny.

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How do Knoxville nanny rates compare to state and national averages?

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

Hiring nannies in Knoxville, TN typically costs about 1% more than the Tennessee average of $18/hour and 8% less than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly nannies rates compared across Knoxville, TN and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Knoxville, TN
Knoxville, TN$18/hr—
Tennessee$18/hr-1%
United States$19/hr+9%

Where Knoxville, TN fits among nearby cities

The most expensive city for nannies near Knoxville, TN is Franklin at $23.85/hour; the least expensive is Jackson at $14.83/hour.

Below are the 5 most and 5 least expensive cities near Knoxville, TN and how each compares to Knoxville, TN's average of $17.86/hour.

Most expensive cities near Knoxville, TN

Top 5 most expensive cities near Knoxville, TN for hiring a nanny, ranked by average hourly rate.
#City$/hrvs. Knoxville, TN
1Franklin$23.85+34%
2Nashville$22.12+24%
3Lebanon$18.68+5%
4Murfreesboro$17.92—
Knoxville$17.86—

Least expensive cities near Knoxville, TN

Top 5 least expensive cities near Knoxville, TN for hiring a nanny, ranked by average hourly rate.
#City$/hrvs. Knoxville, TN
1Jackson$14.83-17%
2Clarksville$15.97-11%
3Johnson City$15.98-11%
4Cleveland$16.37-8%
5Memphis$16.83-6%

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 Knoxville, TN

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 Knoxville, TN

    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 Knoxville, TN

368 active listings in Knoxville

Abigail S. - Seeking Work in Knoxville

Nanny Abigail

Knoxville, TN
$18/hr
Part-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Abigail. I have worked in childcare for years with my church as well as doing freelance nannying. I am 24 years old and I am currently finishing up my degree in Journalism and Media at The University of Tennessee. In my free time, I write literature commentary for Substack and dabble in photography. I look forward to meeting you and your kiddo.
Reba H. - Seeking Work in Knoxville

Nanny Reba

Knoxville, TN
$15 - $20/hr
Part-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Ho. I am 45 years old. I have one dog named Annie. She is small. I live in an apartment. I have experience in childcare and also taking care with adults

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Tanner E A. - Seeking Work in Knoxville

Nanny Tanner E

Knoxville, TN
$20 - $25/hr
Full-time
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hey there! My name is Tanner, and I currently live in the Knoxville area. I graduated from UT with an education degree in May, and have had childcare experience for the last 4 years. I have worked several summer camps, gymnastics ages 10 months- 12 years, and have had several part time babysitting and tutoring jobs.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Kylie K. - Seeking Work in Knoxville

Nanny Kylie

Knoxville, TN
$14 - $20/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Im looking for a weekend nanny/frequent babysitter job! I am extremely into arts and crafts, the outdoors, learning new things and trying everything. I love kids, animals and insects (it’s important to take care of even the little things). I also love reading, watching new movies or shows, cooking/baking and rock climbing!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Treva B. - Seeking Work in Knoxville

Nanny Treva

Knoxville, TN
$23 - $28/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! I’m a Knoxville nanny with 16 years experience. I’ve helped raise 11 wonderful kids from infant to preteens and have babysat for newborns to high schoolers. My approach is child focused and based on learning through play. I am CPR and first aid certified and have a masters in elementary education. I’m looking for my next adventure with a new family who is ready to collaborate and invest in their children.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Terrie K. - Seeking Work in Knoxville

Nanny Terrie

Knoxville, TN
$15 - $20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hey there! I'm Morgan, a small artist and crafter with a passion for kids and faith. I have worked at Boys and Girls Club in the past in their Early Childhood area for K-1st after school. I enjoy making art and crafts and being hands on as much as possible. I live in the Halls Crossroads area with my husband and our 2 cats, plus 3 little house plants. I wanted to be an art teacher, but schooling wasn't easy for me. I have experience with kids who have ASD as my brother has it and I helped take care of him growing up. I look forward to meeting you all~

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Katelyn M. - Seeking Work in Knoxville

Nanny Katelyn

Knoxville, TN
$18 - $22/hr
Full-time
Part-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Katie and I just started college in the area. I am hoping to find a part-time job either nannying or babysitting! I have had many years of experience, with many different ages, and both genders. I am studying business management but have a BIG heart for kids and helping teach them morals, respect, integrity, and compassion. I would love to meet with you any and all families and get to know your kiddos!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Neissa L. - Seeking Work in Knoxville

Nanny Neissa

Knoxville, TN
$20 - $21/hr
Part-time
4 years experience

A little bit about me

I am Neissa Leadbetter, I am 17 but will be an upcoming senior at the Christian Academy of Knoxville.I have been working with kids not only at the church nursery but other babysitting jobs. I can work will children of any ages.I did get a certified babysitters license and I was a previous lifeguard so I do have my cpr/etc license! I would love to work with you !

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Maliyah R. - Seeking Work in Knoxville

Nanny Maliyah

Knoxville, TN
$15 - $19/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Maliyah, I’m 19 years old, and I have years of hands-on experience helping care for children from growing up in a large family with five siblings. I’m fluent in sign language, very patient, nurturing, and naturally enjoy helping create a safe, clean, and comfortable environment for kids and families.

I have experience with cooking meals, cleaning, laundry, pet care, organizing, and helping care for younger children in day-to-day life. I genuinely enjoy spending time with kids, being creative, helping around the house, and making people feel comfortable and cared for. I’m dependable, hardworking, and currently looking to grow my experience in childcare and family assistance.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
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