Babysitter & childcare rates in St. Louis, MO

Updated 2026-07-28 · BLS 2024 data

In the St. Louis, MO-IL area, childcare workers earn a median of $14.76 per hour, with most paid between $14.21 and $16.80 Use this as the local anchor for what a regular sitter or nanny is worth, then adjust for the factors below.

$14.76 /hr median

Hourly rate spread in St. Louis, MO

Level	Hourly
Entry (10th percentile)	$13.84
Lower typical (25th)	$14.21
Median (50th)	$14.76
Upper typical (75th)	$16.80
Experienced (90th)	$20.00
Average (mean)	$16.03

These are childcare-worker wage figures — what employed and regular sitters earn locally. Occasional, on-demand date-night babysitting usually pays more per hour because it's short-notice and flexible. Treat this as the floor, not the ceiling.

What raises the rate in St. Louis, MO

More kids: add about $2–$5/hour per additional child.
Infants & multiples: pay more than one school-age child.
Overnights, holidays & late nights: expect a premium.
Extras: cooking, driving, bath-and-bed nudge it up.

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024 — Childcare Workers (SOC 39-9011), St. Louis, MO-IL metropolitan area. Public-domain data; presentation by Paypr. Local pay varies by neighborhood, experience and demand. General information only.