Rate guide · By state
Babysitting rates by state
No source publishes babysitting rates for every state. What we can show, for all 50 states and D.C., is how local childcare wages compare with the U.S. median, and each state's minimum wage.
Short answer
Nationally, families pay about $20–$26 an hour for one child in 2026. Childcare wages are highest in the District of Columbia, Washington and Massachusetts, and lowest in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. In a state well above the U.S. median, expect the top of the national range.
All states, by childcare-worker median wage
| State | Medianper hour | vs. U.S. | MinimumOct. 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $22.76 | +35% | $18.40 |
| Washington | $20.04 | +19% | $17.13 |
| Massachusetts | $19.66 | +17% | $15.00 |
| Colorado | $19.59 | +16% | $15.16 |
| California | $19.24 | +14% | $16.90 |
| Oregon | $18.58 | +10% | $15.55 |
| Vermont | $18.29 | +9% | $14.42 |
| New York | $18.07 | +7% | $16.00 |
| New Hampshire | $17.83 | +6% | $7.25 |
| Hawaii | $17.80 | +6% | $16.00 |
| Rhode Island | $17.76 | +6% | $16.00 |
| Connecticut | $17.63 | +5% | $16.94 |
| New Jersey | $17.49 | +4% | $15.92 |
| Maine | $17.47 | +4% | $15.10 |
| Alaska | $17.40 | +3% | $14.00 |
| Maryland | $17.32 | +3% | $15.00 |
| Illinois | $17.23 | +2% | $15.00 |
| New Mexico | $17.23 | +2% | $12.00 |
| Minnesota | $17.08 | +2% | $11.41 |
| Montana | $16.89 | Even | $10.85 |
| Arizona | $16.88 | Even | $15.15 |
| Virginia | $16.51 | −2% | $12.77 |
| Florida | $16.45 | −2% | $15.00 |
| Delaware | $15.97 | −5% | $15.00 |
| Wisconsin | $15.61 | −7% | $7.25 |
| Utah | $15.21 | −10% | $7.25 |
| Michigan | $14.89 | −11% | $13.73 |
| Missouri | $14.80 | −12% | $15.00 |
| Nebraska | $14.78 | −12% | $15.00 |
| North Dakota | $14.56 | −13% | $7.25 |
| Indiana | $14.51 | −14% | $7.25 |
| Idaho | $14.50 | −14% | $7.25 |
| Pennsylvania | $14.49 | −14% | $7.25 |
| Nevada | $14.30 | −15% | $12.00 |
| Ohio | $14.27 | −15% | $11.00 |
| South Carolina | $14.26 | −15% | $7.25federal |
| Tennessee | $14.26 | −15% | $7.25federal |
| Kansas | $14.06 | −16% | $7.25 |
| North Carolina | $14.01 | −17% | $7.25 |
| Kentucky | $13.90 | −17% | $7.25 |
| Texas | $13.73 | −18% | $7.25 |
| Arkansas | $13.68 | −19% | $11.00 |
| Iowa | $13.66 | −19% | $7.25 |
| Wyoming | $13.58 | −19% | $7.25federal |
| Georgia | $13.47 | −20% | $7.25federal |
| South Dakota | $13.43 | −20% | $11.85 |
| Oklahoma | $13.33 | −21% | $7.25 |
| West Virginia | $13.32 | −21% | $8.75 |
| Louisiana | $11.01 | −35% | $7.25federal |
| Alabama | $10.92 | −35% | $7.25federal |
| Mississippi | $10.60 | −37% | $7.25federal |
How to read this table
Median wage is what half of employed childcare workers in the state earn more than and half earn less than, from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The survey covers centers, schools and organizations and leaves out private households and the self-employed, so it runs below what families pay private babysitters. Use it to compare places, not as a rate.
Minimum wage is the state rate in effect on October 1, 2026. Casual babysitters are exempt from the federal minimum wage; nannies and regular sitters are covered. Each state page explains the rules that apply there.
For rates you can actually use, start from the 2026 national babysitting rates, then adjust for your area, the number of children and the duties involved.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.Childcare Workers (SOC 39-9011), state wage percentiles.
- U.S. Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026)Florida from FloridaCommerce ($15.00 from September 30, 2026).
- FloridaCommerce, Florida minimum wage