Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a nanny cost in Bellingham, WA in 2026?

In Bellingham, WA, the average nanny earns about $21.60 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $864/week or $3,744/month. Most Bellingham families pay somewhere in the $17–$30/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$21.60/hr · Bellingham average

These numbers come from 248 live nanny listings in Bellingham on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$864
$3,744
$44,928

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What drives the price

Most Bellingham families pay somewhere in the $17–$30/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 $20.82/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $23.57/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)$21.60
2 kids~$22.60
3+ kids~$23.60+

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$22.62/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$21.43/hr
Live-inSet by family$21.51/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 Bellingham nanny rates compare to state and national averages?

Bellingham runs above the U.S. average for nanny rates, in line with most major metros.

Hiring nannies in Bellingham, WA typically costs about 1% less than the Washington average of $22/hour and 11% more than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly nannies rates compared across Bellingham, WA and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Bellingham, WA
Bellingham, WA$22/hr—
Washington$22/hr+1%
United States$19/hr-10%

Where Bellingham, WA fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough nanny data to compare, with rates ranging from $19.06/hour in Kennewick to $25.99/hour in Seattle.

Below: how each compares to the Bellingham, WA average of $21.60/hour — Bellingham, WA is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by nanny rate

10 cities near Bellingham, WA ranked by average hourly nanny rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Bellingham, WA
1Seattle$25.99+20%
2Everett$23.46+9%
3Auburn$23.11+7%
4Puyallup$21.74+1%
Bellingham$21.60—
6Tacoma$21.48-1%
7Olympia$21.18-2%
8Vancouver$20.76-4%
9Spokane$19.79-8%
10Kennewick$19.06-12%
● Most expensive nearby: Seattle ($25.99)● Least expensive nearby: Kennewick ($19.06)

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 Bellingham, WA

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 Bellingham, WA

    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 Bellingham, WA

248 active listings in Bellingham

Adeline B. - Seeking Work in Bellingham

Nanny Adeline

Bellingham, WA
$18 - $25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi I’m Adeline and I absolutely adore working with kids! I’m patient, creative, and love dancing, painting, listening to music, and spending time outdoors! I’ve worked in a daycare with children ages 0-5 as well a bit with kids 6-10, and also have experience babysitting and assisting/teaching dance classes.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Kristen M. - Seeking Work in Bellingham

Nanny Kristen

Bellingham, WA
$22 - $35/hr
Full-time
Part-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Happy fantastic day to you.
My name is Kristen, 35 stay at home mom of two. (5y/3y)
Diagnosed with stage2 breastcancer last year now fully recovered im ready to help families like my own providing a extra helpful caring and experienced set of hands.
From a young age I've been providing a wide range of childcare. From everyday after-school sitting of all ages and the very much needed datenight to emergency calls late in the night.
Energetic, imaginative, crafty and fun while being highly responsible and respectful.
Currently during the day i watch my daughter while my son is in school so childcare is in my residence during the weekdays and available for weekends at your residence. Next year they both will be in school during the day until 2:30pm

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Blair A. - Seeking Work in Bellingham

Nanny Blair

Bellingham, WA
$22/hr
Full-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Blair and I just moved to Shoreline. I have nannied for a few families over the past few years and adore it! I am 19 years old.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Matti M. - Seeking Work in Bellingham

Nanny Matti

Bellingham, WA
$20 - $25/hr
Part-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I am currently attending Woodring College of Education, entering my second-to-last year. Right now, I’m working at a childcare and learning center in Bellingham, WA, where I have the opportunity to work with children of different ages, personalities, and developmental stages. Working with children is something I am genuinely passionate about, and my experience in childcare, along with my education, has only strengthened my desire to pursue a career working with and supporting children. I would describe myself as caring, patient, responsible, dependable, and enthusiastic. I believe that every child is unique and deserves to be treated with kindness, respect, and understanding. I enjoy getting to know each child individually, learning about their interests and personalities, and finding ways to make our time together fun, engaging, and meaningful.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Adelia R. - Seeking Work in Bellingham

Nanny Adelia

Bellingham, WA
$22/hr
Full-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi am Adelia Hope Rensink!
I have been watching kids for a long time!
I watch my cousins, church kids and neighbor children!! I enjoy spending time outside and taking the kids on walks! We love building forts and reading books! They also Love helping me make meals!

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Kelly M. - Seeking Work in Bellingham

Nanny Kelly

Bellingham, WA
$22 - $30/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

I have been a private nanny for several families over the past decade. In all I have over 30 years of hands on experience in all aspects of caring for children, from newborn on up, and children with special needs such as colic, anxiety, panic and social disorders, autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities and ADHD. Also willing to help with pet care and light housekeeping. I enjoy playing with children, both indoors and out, reading to children, coloring and crafts, teaching preschool concepts to kids, teaching kids how to read, playing board games, doing nature hunts, and taking walks together. I think every child is a gift and a treasure and I absolutely cannot imagine a more rewarding thing to do than to care for children. I received my diploma for child daycare in April 2002. I have CPR (adult, child and infant) and First Aid training, my certificate as a parent -teacher, Background check, clean driving record and references available on request.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Maria M. - Seeking Work in Bellingham

Nanny Maria

Bellingham, WA
$22/hr
Part-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

I work at a day in Bellingham. I have 3 years of daycare experience. I do have kids experience. I’m very up beat person. I understand all the task that is required for taking care of a child. I have experienced with toddlers, preschool, Per K kids and school age kids. I’m from Ukraine and I have been in the untied states for 17 years. I live in Bellingham with a job at daycare

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Emma M. - Seeking Work in Bellingham

Nanny Emma

Bellingham, WA
$21/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Emma, I am 20 years old and currently working on my degree in childhood education! I look forward to getting to know you and your family!

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Rain C. - Seeking Work in Bellingham

Nanny Rain

Bellingham, WA
$17 - $25/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

looking for a summer job and experience, i truly enjoy being around children and keeping them entertained and happy.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certification

CPR
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