How much do you legally have to pay your nanny? It depends on where you live. The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour, but 30 states (plus DC) set a higher rate, though 10 of them do not apply it to a family with one nanny.
Here's the complete list for 2026, plus overtime rules most household employers don't know about.
2026 Nanny Minimum Wage by State
You must pay at least the higher of the federal minimum and any state minimum that covers your nanny.
| State | 2026 Minimum Wage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $7.25/hour | No state minimum. The federal rate applies. |
| Alaska | $14.00/hour | Does not cover nannies. The federal $7.25/hour floor applies. |
| Arizona | $15.15/hour | |
| Arkansas | $11.00/hour | For households with 4 or more employees. Otherwise the federal $7.25/hour floor applies. |
| California | $16.90/hour | Some cities are higher |
| Colorado | $15.16/hour | |
| Connecticut | $16.94/hour | |
| Delaware | $15.00/hour | Does not cover nannies. The federal $7.25/hour floor applies. |
| DC | $18.40/hour | Highest in the US (effective July 1, 2026) |
| Florida | $15.00/hour | Effective September 30, 2026; $14.00/hour through September 29 |
| Georgia | $7.25/hour | Federal rate applies |
| Hawaii | $16.00/hour | |
| Idaho | $7.25/hour | Federal rate |
| Illinois | $15.00/hour | Chicago is higher |
| Indiana | $7.25/hour | Federal rate |
| Iowa | $7.25/hour | Federal rate |
| Kansas | $7.25/hour | Federal rate |
| Kentucky | $7.25/hour | Federal rate |
| Louisiana | $7.25/hour | No state minimum. The federal rate applies. |
| Maine | $15.10/hour | |
| Maryland | $15.00/hour | |
| Massachusetts | $15.00/hour | |
| Michigan | $13.73/hour | For households with 2 or more employees. Otherwise the federal $7.25/hour floor applies. |
| Minnesota | $11.41/hour | |
| Mississippi | $7.25/hour | No state minimum. The federal rate applies. |
| Missouri | $15.00/hour | |
| Montana | $10.85/hour | Does not cover nannies. The federal $7.25/hour floor applies. |
| Nebraska | $15.00/hour | For households with 4 or more employees. Otherwise the federal $7.25/hour floor applies. |
| Nevada | $12.00/hour | |
| New Hampshire | $7.25/hour | Federal rate |
| New Jersey | $15.92/hour | |
| New Mexico | $12.00/hour | |
| New York | $16.00–$17.00/hour | Rate depends on region |
| North Carolina | $7.25/hour | Federal rate |
| North Dakota | $7.25/hour | Federal rate |
| Ohio | $11.00/hour | Does not cover nannies. The federal $7.25/hour floor applies. |
| Oklahoma | $7.25/hour | Federal rate |
| Oregon | $15.55/hour | Does not cover nannies. The federal $7.25/hour floor applies. |
| Pennsylvania | $7.25/hour | Federal rate |
| Rhode Island | $16.00/hour | |
| South Carolina | $7.25/hour | No state minimum. The federal rate applies. |
| South Dakota | $11.85/hour | The state exempts babysitters, which may not include a full-time nanny. |
| Tennessee | $7.25/hour | No state minimum. The federal rate applies. |
| Texas | $7.25/hour | Federal rate |
| Utah | $7.25/hour | Federal rate |
| Vermont | $14.42/hour | Does not cover nannies. The federal $7.25/hour floor applies. |
| Virginia | $12.77/hour | |
| Washington | $17.13/hour | Highest state rate |
| West Virginia | $8.75/hour | For households with 6 or more employees. Otherwise the federal $7.25/hour floor applies. |
| Wisconsin | $7.25/hour | Federal rate |
| Wyoming | $7.25/hour | Federal rate |
Important: Some cities and counties have their own minimum wages that are higher than the state rate. For example, Seattle, San Francisco, and New York City may have rates above the state minimum. Always check your local requirements.
States With the Highest Nanny Minimum Wage
If you're budgeting for a nanny, these are the most expensive states for minimum wage:
| Rank | Location | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $18.40/hour |
| 2 | Washington State | $17.13/hour |
| 3 | Connecticut | $16.94/hour |
| 4 | California | $16.90/hour |
| 5 | Hawaii, New York (rest of state), Rhode Island | $16.00/hour |
At $16.90/hour in California, a full-time nanny working 40 hours/week earns $35,152/year before overtime. Use our nanny tax calculator to see your total employer cost including taxes.
Overtime Rules for Household Employees
Most household employers don't realize this: nannies are entitled to overtime pay.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, household employees who work more than 40 hours in a single workweek must be paid at 1.5 times their regular rate for every extra hour.
| Regular Rate | Overtime Rate (1.5x) |
|---|---|
| $15.00/hour | $22.50/hour |
| $18.00/hour | $27.00/hour |
| $20.00/hour | $30.00/hour |
| $25.00/hour | $37.50/hour |
Live-in nannies and overtime
Federal law exempts live-in domestic employees from overtime, but it still requires at least minimum wage for every hour worked, and several states override the exemption and require overtime anyway. California and New York are two of them, so do not read either as a state that exempts live-ins. For which states we've confirmed at the statute, plus how room and board affects your taxes, see our overtime rules guide and our live-in nanny tax guide.
What Most Families Actually Pay
Minimum wage is the legal floor, but most families pay well above it. According to industry data, typical nanny pay ranges are:
| Experience Level | Typical Hourly Range |
|---|---|
| Entry-level (0-2 years) | $15–$20/hour |
| Experienced (3-5 years) | $18–$25/hour |
| Senior/specialized | $22–$35/hour |
| Night nurse/newborn specialist | $25–$40/hour |
Factors that affect pay: cost of living, number of children, additional duties (cooking, driving, tutoring), and whether the nanny is live-in or live-out.
The math: A nanny paid $20/hour for 40 hours/week earns $41,600/year. Your employer taxes add roughly $4,000–$5,000/year on top of that. Calculate your exact cost →
See the total cost of hiring a nanny in every state →
How to Stay Compliant
- Pay at least the higher of the federal minimum and any state minimum that covers your nanny: always check both
- Track hours accurately: you need records for overtime calculations
- Pay overtime for 40+ hours/week: no exceptions for most household employees (this is one of the most common payroll mistakes)
- Check local rates: cities like Seattle, SF, and NYC have their own minimums
- Review rates annually: many states increase minimum wage on January 1
NannyKeeper automatically uses the correct minimum wage for your state and calculates overtime. Get started free →
See what you'll owe
Use our free calculator to estimate your nanny tax costs for 2026.
FAQ
Does minimum wage apply to nannies?
Yes. Household employees including nannies and housekeepers are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act. You must pay at least the federal $7.25/hour. In 20 states and DC the state minimum covers nannies too, and it is higher. Alaska, Delaware, Montana, Ohio, Oregon and Vermont leave nannies out of it, and Arkansas, Michigan, Nebraska and West Virginia apply it only to households with more employees.
Do I have to pay my nanny overtime?
Yes. Under federal law, household employees must receive 1.5 times their regular pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Live-in employees are exempt from federal overtime, but several states require it anyway; see our overtime rules guide for the ones we've confirmed.
What happens if I pay below minimum wage?
You can be liable for back wages, penalties, and damages. The Department of Labor can investigate complaints, and your employee may also have a private right of action for unpaid wages.
Does the nanny minimum wage change every year?
Many states increase their minimum wage annually, often on January 1. The federal minimum of $7.25 has been unchanged since 2009. Always check current rates at the start of each year.
How much should I pay a nanny?
Most families pay well above minimum wage. Typical market rates run $15–$20/hour for entry-level nannies, $18–$25/hour for experienced nannies, and $22–$40/hour for senior or newborn-care specialists. Your actual rate depends on cost of living, number of children, added duties (cooking, driving, tutoring), and whether the nanny is live-in or live-out. Whatever you land on, it has to be at least the higher of the federal minimum and any state minimum that covers your nanny. Use our nanny tax calculator to turn an hourly rate into your real all-in cost including employer taxes.
What's the cheapest state to hire a nanny?
States that follow the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour) have the lowest legal floor: Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. For a family with one nanny, the federal rate is also the floor in Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont and West Virginia. However, market rates in these states are typically well above minimum wage.