Nanny Cost in Washington, DC (2026)
BLS wage data, hourly rates, and daycare comparison
A full-time nanny in Washington, DC costs approximately $4,200/month. 56% above national avg. Government and lobbying families. Nearby VA/MD suburbs have slightly lower rates.
Washington, DC nanny cost summary (2026)
Monthly Cost
$4,200
56% above national avg
Annual Cost
$50,400
Full-time, live-out
Hourly Rate
$27.0/hr
Family cost incl. taxes
BLS Median Wage
$20.5/hr
SOC 39-9011 metro area
Daycare (Infant)
$2,400
Center-based, monthly
Nanny vs. Daycare
+$1,800
Extra per month, 1 child
Source: BLS OEWS SOC 39-9011 metro area data (2023) + market rate surveys. Monthly costs include employer payroll taxes.
Washington, DC vs. National Average
| Metric | Washington, DC |
|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $4,200 |
| Annual cost | $50,400 |
| Daycare (infant) | $2,400 |
What Drives Nanny Costs in Washington, DC?
- • Federal government professionals
- • Lobbyist/attorney families
- • DC minimum wage $17.50/hr
- • Diverse multilingual nanny pool
- • High dual-income household concentration
Nanny vs. Daycare in Washington, DC
Nanny (1 child)
$4,200/mo
Daycare (infant)
$2,400/mo
2 daycare spots
$4,800/mo
For two children, a nanny saves $600/month vs. two daycare spots in Washington, DC.
Compare nanny vs daycare →Common Questions About Nanny Costs in Washington, DC
How much does a nanny cost in Washington, DC?
A full-time live-out nanny in Washington, DC costs approximately $4,200/month in 2026 — $50,400/year. That's 56% above national avg of $2,700/month nationally. Hourly cost to the family is ~$27.0/hr.
What is the nanny hourly rate in Washington, DC?
The effective hourly cost for a nanny in Washington, DC is approximately $27.0/hr in 2026. The BLS OEWS metro-area median for childcare workers (SOC 39-9011) is $20.5/hr. Private-household nannies typically earn $6.5/hr above this median.
See statewide nanny rates for District of Columbia
District of Columbia nanny costs →