If you’re searching for what a nanny costs in Seattle, here is the short answer. Most professional, experienced nannies in the city earn between $35 and $40 per hour. Families in the most sought-after neighborhoods routinely pay $35 to $55. The hourly rate is only part of the real number, because overtime, paid sick time, employer payroll taxes and Seattle’s domestic worker rules all add to it.
Standard hourly rates for Seattle Nannies
For a professional nanny caring for one or two children on a full-time schedule, plan on $35 to $38 per hour.
You may see lower numbers online. Public marketplace averages blend in part-time sitters and early-career caregivers. However, to be on point with what our market sees, $35-$40 hourly is the sweet spot.
Where you land inside the range depends on a few things:
- Experience and training. Early childhood education coursework, infant or newborn experience, and years of references all move the rate up.
- Number of children. Each additional child typically adds $1 to $2 per hour. Infants and multiples push toward the high end.
- Driving and logistics. School runs and activities across a hilly, traffic-heavy city are real work, and many families pay more for a nanny who drives confidently.
- Schedule. Flexible hours, evenings and short-notice coverage are worth more than a fixed 8 to 5.
Premium neighborhoods command the top ten percent of local wage expectations
Medina, Madison Park and Queen Anne sit at the top of Seattle-area wage expectations. Families here should budget in the top 10 percent of the market, typically $35 to $55 per hour. That works out to $1,400 to $2,200 per week, or about $72,800 to $114,400 per year in wages. One local cost guide puts Medina-area rates at $32 to $48 for one child and up to $55 for two. Another places specialized, high-level nannies at $45 to $55 or more.
Several factors explain the premium:
- Bigger households. Larger homes and busier calendars often blend childcare with family assistant work.
- Competition for candidates. The strongest nannies have several offers and choose the best package.
- Commutes. Madison Park and Medina sit on Lake Washington, and Queen Anne is a steep climb from downtown at rush hour. Many nannies live north or south of these areas and cross SR 520 or I-90. Families that offer a flexible start time, commute support or a stronger rate keep their caregivers longer.
- Privacy expectations. Discretion in a private home is part of the job.
Legal compliance under the Seattle Domestic Workers Ordinance requires careful planning
Seattle was the first US city with a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. The law has been in effect since July 1, 2019, and covers nannies whether they are employees or independent contractors. The core requirements are:
- Minimum wage. Pay at least the Seattle minimum wage, $21.30 in 2026.
- Meal and rest breaks. A nanny must get a 30-minute uninterrupted meal period when working more than five consecutive hours, plus a paid 10-minute rest break for every four consecutive hours. If the job makes breaks infeasible, the household owes additional pay. A nanny alone with an infant often can’t be fully off duty, so build break coverage into the schedule or budget for the extra pay.
- Day of rest for live-in nannies. Live-in workers get an unpaid 24-hour rest period after more than six days in a row.
- Personal documents. Workers have the right to keep their own documents and possessions.
Written contracts. The ordinance centers on wages, breaks, rest days and documents, but written agreements are now on the way. Washington’s Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, signed in March 2026, mandates written agreements and takes effect July 1, 2027. Seattle’s wage theft rules already require a written notice of employment that includes the pay rate. Put everything in writing from day one: rate, guaranteed hours, overtime, sick time, breaks and duties.
Location matters. Seattle’s ordinance applies to work performed in Seattle. Medina is its own city across the lake. Outside Seattle, a domestic worker may not have the same right to breaks. State wage, overtime and sick leave rules still apply there, and the 2027 state law will broaden protections statewide.
Comprehensive compensation packages include overtime and mandatory paid sick time
Overtime. Washington household employers must pay 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 in a week, though live-in employees are not currently covered. At a $35 rate, overtime pays $52.50 per hour, so a 45-hour week costs $1,400 plus $262.50, or $1,662.50. A salary alone does not automatically exempt a worker from overtime. The 2027 state law also modifies the current exemption for live-in and on-call workers, so get advice before building a live-in package.
Paid sick and safe time. Seattle employers with fewer than 250 full-time employees, which includes a private household, must provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked. Accrual starts on the first day, and all hours worked count, including overtime. A full-time nanny earns about 52 hours a year, a little over six workdays. Unused balances of 40 hours or less carry over to the next year.
Employer costs. On top of wages, you pay the employer share of Social Security and Medicare, which is 7.65 percent. At $35 per hour for 40 hours a week, that is about $5,570 on $72,800 in wages. State unemployment, paid family and medical leave premiums and a payroll service add more. Many families budget roughly 10 percent above gross wages, so a $35 per hour full-time nanny costs about $80,000 a year before bonuses or benefit stipends.
Market expectations. Paid holidays, paid vacation and guaranteed weekly hours are not all legally required, but strong candidates in Seattle expect them. Washington law does not create a right to vacation time, so your offer letter is where these are set.
What to do next
A realistic hiring path looks like this:
- Set your hours and budget.
- Draft the written agreement.
- Set up household payroll.
- Interview, check references and run a paid trial day.
If you’d rather not manage the search and the compliance details alone, Seaside Staffing Co. has placed household professionals with families since 2004. We can help you set a competitive rate, structure a compliant offer and find candidates who fit your home.
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Confirm current requirements with the Seattle Office of Labor Standards or an employment attorney.
