Iowa · 2026
Babysitting rates in Iowa
What families pay nationally, how Iowa wages compare, and the pay rules that apply in the state.
Short answer
Expect the lower end of the national range of $20–$26 an hour for one child. Childcare workers in Iowa earn a median of $13.66/hr, about 19% lower than the U.S. median of $16.82/hr.
Iowa childcare wages at a glance
- Median, Iowa
- $13.66/hr
- Compared with the U.S.
- −19%
- Middle half earn
- $12.40–$15.25
- Rank among 50 states and D.C.
- 43 of 51
Areas in Iowa
Childcare wages run from $13.08/hr in Southwest Iowa (nonmetro area) to $15.53/hr in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island. In the higher-wage areas, expect babysitting rates toward the top of the national range.
| Area | Median, per hour | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock IslandMetro area · IA–IL | $15.53 | −8% |
| DubuqueMetro area | $15.25 | −9% |
| OmahaMetro area · NE–IA | $15.06 | −10% |
| Des Moines-West Des MoinesMetro area | $14.31 | −15% |
| Sioux CityMetro area · IA–NE–SD | $14.10 | −16% |
| Iowa CityMetro area | $14.02 | −17% |
| Cedar RapidsMetro area | $13.54 | −20% |
| AmesMetro area | $13.39 | −20% |
| Southeast Iowa (nonmetro area)Rural (nonmetro) area | $13.37 | −21% |
| Waterloo-Cedar FallsMetro area | $13.26 | −21% |
| Northeast Iowa (nonmetro area)Rural (nonmetro) area | $13.20 | −22% |
| Northwest Iowa (nonmetro area)Rural (nonmetro) area | $13.08 | −22% |
| Southwest Iowa (nonmetro area)Rural (nonmetro) area | $13.08 | −22% |
Pay rules in Iowa
Minimum wage. Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, the same as the federal minimum.
Casual babysitting (irregular or occasional, usually 20 hours a week or less, and not the sitter’s vocation) is exempt from the federal minimum wage and overtime. Nannies and regular sitters are covered: at least $7.25/hr for every hour, plus overtime at 1.5× after 40 hours in a week unless they live in your home.
Use it tonight
Pick a rate, then work out exactly what you owe, including past-midnight endings, extra kids and a tip.
- Babysitter pay calculatorStart and end time, rate, kids and tip.
- Rates for two or more kids$29.87/hr nationally for two children.
- Babysitter taxes in 2026When household-employer taxes apply.
Compare with other states
- ArkansasNext higher median: $13.68/hr (about 19% lower than the U.S.)
- WyomingNext lower median: $13.58/hr (about 19% lower than the U.S.)
- All statesChildcare wages and minimum wages for the 50 states and D.C.
- National babysitting rates 2026Care.com, Sittercity and UrbanSitter, side by side.
SitterRate for iPhone
Iowa areas, in the app
SitterRate's Rate Guide includes all 13 Iowa areas listed here alongside the national benchmarks, works offline, and never asks for your location.
- Pick your area once; the app remembers it
- Use a rate in the calculator with one tap
- Save each sitter's agreed rate and see what you paid last time
- Keep a simple paid/unpaid history
Get SitterRateFree on the App Store · iPhoneFree download. Pro is a one-time in-app purchase, with no subscription. What’s in the app
Iowa: common questions
How much do babysitters charge in Iowa?
No source publishes a babysitting rate for Iowa that we can show. Nationally, families pay about $20 to $26 an hour for one child in 2026. Childcare workers in Iowa earn a median of $13.66/hr, about 19% lower than the U.S. median, which points toward the lower end of the national range.
What is the minimum wage for a babysitter in Iowa?
Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, the same as the federal minimum. Under federal law, babysitters working on a casual basis (irregular, usually 20 hours a week or less, and not their vocation) are exempt from minimum wage and overtime; regular sitters and nannies are not.
Do nannies in Iowa get overtime?
Under federal law, nannies who don't live in the employer's home earn 1.5× their regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek. Live-in nannies are exempt from federal overtime but must still be paid at least minimum wage for every hour worked.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.Childcare Workers (SOC 39-9011), state and area wage percentiles.
- U.S. Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026)Checked against state sources on October 1, 2026.
- 29 CFR Part 552: domestic service, including casual babysitting
- UrbanSitter, “Babysitting Rates by City (2026),” last updated January 2026.
- Sittercity, “Average Babysitter & Nanny Pay Rates by US City,” Sittercity provider data, May 2026.
- Care.com, “How much does a babysitter cost?” updated February 12, 2026.