Nanny rates in Seattle, WA (2026)
A mid-career nanny in Seattle caring for one child should be paid about $27/hr, roughly $1,080 a week at 40 hours. Two children run $29/hr, and in a nanny share each family pays about $19/hr.
Typical nanny pay in Seattle
We model Seattle as a premium metro (San Francisco, Seattle) market, consistent with 2025 booking data.
| Arrangement | Hourly rate | Weekly / annual |
|---|---|---|
One child, mid-career 40 hrs/week | $27/hr | $1,080/wk |
Two children, mid-career 40 hrs/week | $29/hr | $1,160/wk |
Nanny share, per family Two families, two children | $19/hr | $43,472/yr each |
Entry level → 10+ yrs One child, 40 hrs/week | $22.50–$30.50/hr | $46,800–$63,440/yr |
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Center-based childcare workers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro earn a median of $21.02/hr, 25% above the national median. Nannies earn more because they care for your children one-on-one in your home.
What a Seattle nanny really costs
- Full-time salary
- $56,160
- One child, mid-career, 40 hours a week, 52 weeks with PTO included.
- Family cost with taxes
- $5,148/mo
- Wages plus ~10% employer taxes (FICA, unemployment, workers’ comp), before any health stipend.
- Overtime in WA
- Federal law (the FLSA) requires 1.5x pay over 40 hours a week for live-out nannies, in every state.
The job
Where you work and what you bring.
The schedule
Hours drive overtime and take-home.
Benefits budget (optional)
For families budgeting the full package.
Recommended hourly rate
$27/hr
Based on 2026 booking data
Weekly gross
$1,080
40 regular hrs
Annual salary
$56,160
52 weeks, PTO included
Family cost
$61,776
Includes ~10% employer taxes
Monthly
$5,148
Total cost per month
Benchmark-based estimate. Never quote below your state’s minimum wage (CA, NY, and WA all exceed $16/hr).
Seattle nanny rate questions.
- How much does a nanny cost in Seattle?
Plan on about $27/hr for a mid-career nanny with one child, roughly $56,160 a year at 40 hours a week. Once employer taxes are added, the true family cost is closer to $61,776 a year.
- What is a fair nanny hourly rate in Washington in 2026?
Seattle rates land in the $27/hr range for experienced one-child care. Entry-level nannies start lower and nannies with 10+ years, newborn care training, or CPR certification command $2–$4/hr more.
- Do I have to pay my nanny overtime in Washington?
Federal law (the FLSA) requires overtime at 1.5x the regular rate for every hour over 40 in a week for live-out nannies, in every state.
- How does a nanny share work in Seattle?
Two families employ one nanny together and each pays about 70% of the solo rate, around $19/hr per family in Seattle. Both families save 25–40% while the nanny earns roughly 140% of a solo position. Each family runs its own payroll and employer taxes.
Nanny rates in nearby metros
Set fair pay in Seattle. Then share every day.
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