Babysitter & childcare rates in Washington, DC

Updated 2026-07-17 · BLS 2024 data

In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area, childcare workers earn a median of $17.05 per hour, with most paid between $15.54 and $18.64. Use this as the local anchor for what a regular sitter or nanny is worth, then adjust for the factors below.

$17.05 /hr median

Hourly rate spread in Washington, DC

Level	Hourly
Entry (10th percentile)	$14.53
Lower typical (25th)	$15.54
Median (50th)	$17.05
Upper typical (75th)	$18.64
Experienced (90th)	$23.01
Average (mean)	$17.96

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 Washington, DC

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), Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area. Public-domain data; presentation by Paypr. Local pay varies by neighborhood, experience and demand. General information only.