How much does a nanny cost in British Columbia in 2026?
$22/hrBritish Columbia median
$20 typical low
$28 typical high
Weekly · 40 hrs$880
Monthly$3,813
Annual$45,760
So how much does a nanny cost? From our research, on average they charge $22 an hour in British Columbia. Rates depend on a nanny's experience and credentials, the number and ages of children, added duties such as housekeeping, live-in vs. live-out, and part-time vs full-time arrangements.
Find the right nanny in British Columbia
Post your job, nannies come to you →Nanny rates by arrangement in British Columbia
Live in rate$20/hr
See 12,254 live in nannies in British Columbia →Live out rate$20/hr
See 23,616 live out nannies in British Columbia →Full-time rate$20/hr
See 18,150 full-time nannies in British Columbia →Part-time rate$20/hr
See 18,896 part-time nannies in British Columbia →Full-time nannies cost more overall due to more hours, while part-time nannies often have higher hourly rates. Live-out nannies typically cost more in cash wages because they cover their own housing, while live-in nannies can reduce cash costs through room and board, though provincial rules limit how much can count toward wages. Live-in arrangements also require suitable private space.
What drives the price in British Columbia
Years of experience
0–2 years$20
3–5 years$20
6+ years$23
6+ years providers average $3/hr more than 0–2 years.
Work Arrangement
Live in$20
Live out$20
Full-time$20
Part-time$20
Summer only$20
Occasional$22.5
Long term$22
Short term$22.5
Overnight care$20
Short term providers average $2.5/hr more than live in.
Child Age Group
Newborn$20
Infant$20
Toddler$22
Early school$22
Primary school$20
Preteen/teen$22
Preteen/teen providers average $2/hr more than newborn.
Additional Responsibilities
Pet care$20
Housekeeping$20
Swim supervision$23
Meal prep$20
Groceries$22
Homework help$22
Errands$22
Laundry$22
Gardening$21
Swim supervision providers average $3/hr more than pet care.
A few things affect the rate that don't appear in the table above:
- Location: Where you live plays an enormous role in how much a nanny will cost and is one of the largest factors.
- The number of children (families typically pay $1–4/hr more per additional child).
- Hours and schedule: Regular weekday shifts are the simplest to fill. Rates climb for early starts, nights, weekends, and short-notice work.
- Training: credentials such as ECE increase a nanny's rate.
Real profiles near the British Columbia average
Active profiles charging close to the median rate.
Fernanda E
$20.00/hrHello! I’m Fernanda.
I’m a caring, responsible, and trustworthy person who enjoys helping others and creating a safe, happy, and comfortable environment for families. I have experience caring for my younger brother and cousins, which has helped me develop patience, attentiveness, and a genuine love for spending time with children.
I’m also comfortable with household tasks such as cooking, meal preparation, and keeping spaces clean and organized. As a pet owner, I have hands-on experience caring for my own dogs, including feeding, walking, and making sure they are happy and well cared for.
I’m a quick learner, reliable, and always willing to help wherever I’m needed. I believe in treating every family with respect and every child and pet with love, patience, and care. I would love the opportunity to support your family and become someone you can trust and rely on!
View Fernanda E’s profile →
June(G) S
$22.00/hrHello, I’m June.
I am a warm, experienced educator (ECE, EA) based in Victoria, BC.
Whether you’re looking for part-time, occasional, or summer-only care, I provide flexible and reliable support tailored to your family’s needs.
Availability
Weekdays after work (around 3 PM, depending on your location)
Weekends (any time)
Fully available during Winter, Spring, and Summer breaks
Minimum booking: 3 hours a day
What I offer
Along with childcare, I can also assist with light housekeeping, meal preparation, and overnight care.
Safety is always my highest priority, and I am CPR certified to ensure your children are well cared for at all times.
Rate
$20-30 per hour
Please feel free to message me anytime. I’d be happy to discuss how I can support your family.
View June(G) S’s profile →
Valentina R
$25.00/hrHi families! My name is Valentina, I'm 27yo and I’m a caring, patient, and responsible person who would love the opportunity to support your family and help your little ones feel safe, happy, and cared for.
I believe that caring for children goes beyond simply keeping them entertained. It’s about creating a safe and loving environment where they feel comfortable, supported, and encouraged to explore, learn, and be themselves. I understand how important it is for parents to feel at ease when leaving their children in someone else’s care, and I would always strive to build that trust through open communication, reliability, and genuine care.
I’m a creative person who enjoys finding fun and engaging ways to spend time with children, whether that’s doing arts and crafts, reading stories, playing games, exploring outdoors, or helping with everyday routines. I believe in being attentive to children’s individual personalities and needs, while encouraging their curiosity, creativity, and independence in an age-appropriate way.
As someone living in Vancouver, I’m excited to connect with a family looking for a dependable and caring person to become a positive part of their children’s lives. I’m happy to support families with age-appropriate activities, meal preparation, tidying up after playtime, and maintaining routines, depending on your family’s needs.
Most importantly, I would treat your children with kindness, patience, and respect, just as I would want someone to treat the children I love. I know that inviting someone into your home and trusting them with your little ones is a big decision, and I would never take that responsibility lightly.
I’d love to meet your family, learn about your children’s personalities and routines, and see how I can help make your days a little easier! 💕
View Valentina R’s profile →How British Columbia compares
| Location | Median rate | Vs British Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | $22/hr | – |
| Ontario nannies cost | $19/hr−14% vs British Columbia | −14% |
| Alberta nannies cost | $18/hr−18% vs British Columbia | −18% |
| Quebec nannies cost | $19/hr−14% vs British Columbia | −14% |
| Saskatchewan nannies cost | $16/hr−27% vs British Columbia | −27% |
| Manitoba nannies cost | $17/hr−23% vs British Columbia | −23% |
Families hiring nannies in British Columbia can expect to pay approximately 16% above the national median of $19/hour.
The full cost of a nanny in British Columbia, beyond the hourly rate
Nanny cost per week, month and year in British Columbia
A full-time nanny in British Columbia at the median rate of $22 per hour costs about $880 a week and $45760 a year in gross wages, before payroll taxes. Fewer days cost less in proportion: three days a week is about 60% of the full-time total, four days about 80%. Part-time nannies often charge a slightly higher hourly rate, so 20 hours a week usually costs a little more than half of full-time.
| Schedule | Hours a week | Share of full-time cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5 days, full-time | 40 | 100% |
| 4 days | 32 | about 80% |
| 3 days | 24 | about 60% |
| Half days or after school | 20 | about 50%, often a little more |
Payroll taxes and what the employer pays
A nanny is an employee, so a family in British Columbia pays about 8% on top of gross wages for the employer share of CPP and EI, plus vacation pay of at least 4% in most provinces. The legal floor is minimum wage, $18.25 per hour in British Columbia. You register with the CRA as an employer, deduct income tax, CPP and EI from each pay, add the employer contributions, remit monthly and issue a T4 each year. Agree on a gross rate, not a take-home rate, so both sides know the numbers. Our nanny tax and payroll guide covers each step, and HeartPayroll can run it for you.
| Item | Who pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CPP contribution | Nanny and family, matched | Family matches the nanny's contribution |
| EI premium | Nanny and family | Family pays 1.4 times the nanny's premium |
| Vacation pay | Family | At least 4% of gross wages in most provinces |
| Income tax | Nanny, deducted by the family | Depends on the nanny's earnings |
Benefits, vacation pay and bonuses
Vacation pay and paid statutory holidays are the legal minimum for a nanny in British Columbia; anything more is a benefit you choose. Common extras are a transit pass, a phone allowance, a health spending account and a year-end bonus, often about one week's pay. Benefits make a job easier to fill in busy markets, and some nannies will accept a lower hourly rate in exchange for extra paid vacation. Put every benefit in the written agreement.
Daily activities and extra costs
A nanny's outings with your children add costs on top of wages: entry fees, lessons, clubs and transport. Budget a weekly petty-cash amount and ask for receipts. If your nanny drives your children in their own car, pay a per-kilometre rate for the mileage. If they use transit with your children, cover the fares. Agree on these rules before the first week so neither side is surprised.
Background checks for a nanny
A police record check for a nanny in British Columbia usually costs 20 to 70 dollars, depending on the municipality, and a vulnerable sector check is the version to ask for when the work involves children. Many nannies already hold a recent check and will share it; if not, most families pay for it as part of hiring. Check references by phone as well, because a clean record check does not tell you how a nanny works with children.
Finding a nanny: agency or online service
A nanny agency in British Columbia charges a placement fee that often runs to several thousand dollars, in exchange for screening and a replacement guarantee. An online service like CanadianNanny.ca lets you search 26,536 nanny profiles, message nannies directly and run your own interviews for a small subscription. Agencies save time; doing it yourself saves money and gives you a wider choice. Either way, run your own reference and background checks before you hire.
How to save on nanny costs
Consider a nanny share
Two families splitting one nanny can cut each family's hourly cost by nearly 40% while keeping nanny-level flexibility.
Guarantee the hours
Nannies often accept a lower rate for a stable weekly schedule than for unpredictable, on-call arrangements.
Compare a few profiles
Rates vary with experience and duties; message two or three caregivers near the median before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
What is the going hourly rate for a nanny in British Columbia?
The median is $22/hr in British Columbia, with most nannies charging between $20 and $28/hr. Rates rise with experience, extra duties, and the number of children.
Do I have to pay a nanny minimum wage?
Yes. Nannies are employees, so your province's minimum wage is the legal floor, $17.60/hr in Ontario and $18.25/hr in B.C., and overtime applies past your province's weekly threshold (44 hours in Ontario, 40 in B.C.).
What are my payroll obligations when I hire a nanny?
You register with the CRA as an employer, withhold your nanny's income tax, CPP and EI from each pay, add the employer contributions on top, remit monthly, and issue a T4 every year. Our nanny tax & payroll guide covers each step, and HeartPayroll automates all of it.
What's the difference between gross and net pay?
Gross is the rate you agree on; net is what your nanny takes home after deductions. Budget roughly 8% on top of gross for your employer share of CPP and EI, agreeing on gross avoids surprises on both sides.
How does room and board affect a live-in nanny's pay?
Live-in nannies must still earn at least minimum wage, and what you can deduct for room and board is capped by provincial rules, the hourly rate itself is often similar to live-out; the difference is the housing arrangement, not the wage floor.
How much does a nanny share cost?
In a share, two families employ one nanny together, but they don't split a solo rate. The nanny charges a premium for caring for more children, so someone who'd cost $22/hr solo typically asks $28–30/hr for a share, leaving each family paying roughly 60–70% of what they'd pay alone. It's the single biggest lever on nanny cost. The trade-off is flexibility: schedules have to align, the location often alternates, and the arrangement ends if the other family moves or drops out.
How much more does a nanny cost for two children?
Typically $1–4/hr more per additional child, not double, which is why a nanny gets more competitive with every sibling.
Is a nanny or daycare cheaper?
It depends on your province. Six provinces and territories have set $10 a day as a firm cap, and there daycare is usually cheaper for one child, if you can get a spot. In Ontario, B.C., and Alberta, fees are either set well above $10 or left to each provider, so the gap narrows considerably. A nanny closes it further in three ways: infant spots are daycare's scarcest and most expensive, a nanny covers hours daycare doesn't, and the math tips over with two or more children.
Find the right nanny in British Columbia