Whether you’re raising kids in the West Loop, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, River North, the South Loop, or another great section of Chicago, you can expect to pay your nanny anywhere between the range of $12 and $20 per hour, with a median rate of right around $15.40.
The cost of a nanny in Chicago can fluctuate for a number of reasons. These reasons can usually be broken down into two categories: your family needs and the nanny’s experience. You can learn about how different family needs impact the average hourly rate in Chicago by going here.
Some family needs that can impact the cost of a nanny are location, how many kids you have, and whether you require any additional services. For instance, if you’re located in one of the more expensive areas of Chicago like West Loop or River North, the higher cost of living could reflect in your nanny’s salary. If nannies have education in child care or other related fields it can lead to higher wages. The same goes for experience; the more experience a nanny has, the higher a nanny’s wage will be.
Once you’ve figured out how much to pay your nanny, the next thing to figure out is how you’ll pay them. Whether it’s cash or through a service, it’ll be worthwhile to discuss with your nanny. According to the INA, more and more families and nannies are opting to use a payroll service. This is because payroll services help make the legalities, taxes, and general payment process easy.
Did You Know: Based on an INA survey, 50% of nannies were paid through a payroll service in 2017 compared to 30% in 2012.
If you’re interested in learning more about our payroll service, check out our FAQ here.
A nanny share is a great way to find quality care and save money. Say the going rate for a nanny in your Chicago community is $16/hour, both families in the share will pay about $10/hour, making your monthly child care expense a lot more digestible.
You can start by finding either a local family with similar needs or a nanny that’s able to accommodate a nanny share through a site like Nanny Lane.
Budgets and schedules are just two of the many things to consider when finding a family to join you in a nanny share. You also want to find a nanny who is adventurous and willing to do the fun outings Chicago has to offer. Look for someone to take the kids to places like the Field Museum, Brookfield Zoo, and Millennium Park.
Learn the average cost of a nanny in Chicago, how to set up a nanny share, get tips on finding the right family to share a nanny with, or find Chicago nannies.