How much do nannies make? [Updated with 2023 rates]

How much should you pay your nanny in 2023? This handy guide has all the answers.

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Paying for childcare is a big expense for families and the right compensation package can often be the determining factor in securing an experienced, dedicated caregiver. One of the most common questions parents ask us — and one of the biggest factors in a family’s decision to hire a nanny — is how much to pay a nanny, the person who spends their day with a parent’s most precious treasure: their child.

Parent forums and playground acquaintances can give a general sense of going rates in the neighborhood. But for families just starting out on the nanny-hiring journey, it can feel overwhelming to know what the right rate is: an amount that works for the family, and for the nanny. 

How much do nannies make in 2023?

At a nanny agency like Smart Sitting, we like to think in terms of income for the sitter or nanny: How much should you pay a nanny who can deliver above-and-beyond childcare, peace of mind for parents, plus bring dedication and professionalism to their role?

Rather than being a number for an hourly rate, it often comes down to a weekly minimum income or a compensation package where rate is one aspect. 

In 2023, professional nannies are making: 

  • Part-time generally $25-35/hour for a consistent position on a regular schedule with a weekly minimum, plus applicable part-time benefits

  • Full-time weekly minimums and $35-40/hour

    • For full-time positions with guaranteed overtime hours (and overtime pay), hourly rates may come out to slightly lower

  • Hourly rates via backup care agencies for non-regular positions may be anywhere between $25-$35/hour, with quite a bit of variation. In these cases, all employment costs are included in the price.

These are nanny rates for metropolitan areas like New York or Los Angeles and may look different depending on where you live. Benefits often include paid time off, sick leave, health care stipends, public transit stipends or fully paid monthly cards. Learn how to add nanny benefits to attract top childcare talent. 

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How are nanny rates calculated in 2023?

Rates for both part time and full time nannies are
generally higher than before the pandemic.

It comes as no surprise that the same factors that have affected the price of many things in your life affect nanny rates as well. While the post-pandemic nanny shortage that made 2021 and 2022 tough has slowed, cost of living and inflation are still high — for nannies, too. For this reason, rates for both part time and full time nannies are generally higher than before the pandemic.

Changes in the nanny industry

One large shift we as a nanny agency have seen after the massive upheaval in 2020 was that the nanny industry was regarded as more of a professional industry. To a greater extent than before, nannies are requesting:

  • to be paid on the books, and

  • to include healthcare benefits/reimbursments and paid time off as part of their compensation package

Both of these are things we at Smart Sitting have been championing for a long time. Being paid on the books is not only the legal way to be employed, it also helps the nanny accrue Social Security benefits and enables them to get health insurance and unemployment in the case of a layoff or an inability to work (as in a global pandemic, say).

Factors that always affect nanny rates

There are many factors that affect how much nannies make around the US. A few key factors are:  

  • experience 

  • location 

  • education 

  • demands of the position 

  • additional skills required 

Location may dictate the widest range in pay rates, as nannies in large cities like New York or LA typically see higher rates than caregivers in smaller towns or the middle of the country.

  • Washington state is another region where rates have been the highest nationally

  • In Ohio, nannies have the lowest average hourly rate

When parents wonder how much nannies make, it’s usually with the hope of getting one clean number that fits all positions and candidates. However, that is rarely the case. Often, it’s a combination of the type of role families are looking to fill, what it requires from the sitter or nanny in terms of previous experience and skills, and what the general market is like, both in their particular area and nationally. Add all these factors together and you end up with the ideal range rate for a position. 

Overwhelmed?

Don’t be—we are always here to help. Through our personalized match-making service, we get to know your family and your needs to find the ideal candidates for your position. As part of this work, we set up a suitable income range according to current 2023 rates, and find the nanny who matches what you’re looking for.

Just reach out to us today and we’ll help you find the caregiver that is right for your family.

PS. For more must-know information about hiring and managing childcare, sign up for our newsletter!

how to hire a nannyCajsa Landin