There is no single reliable national price for hiring a nanny in India in 2026. The amount depends on the city and neighbourhood, hours, the child’s age, the caregiver’s experience, and whether the job includes household work. This guide explains how to compare part-time, full-time live-out and live-in care—and what a quoted salary may leave out.
As a broad reference point, Indeed reported an average of ₹20,405 per month for babysitter/nanny postings in India, based on only 12 salaries reported over the preceding 36 months and updated on 21 May 2026. That small, mixed sample is not a definitive national rate and does not separate part-time from full-time or live-in arrangements. Source: Indeed salary data and its sample-size note.
What changes a nanny’s pay?
- City and neighbourhood: local demand and travel time can affect offers. Rates from one locality should not be treated as a city-wide standard.
- Hours and schedule: a few fixed hours, a full workday, evenings, overnight care and weekend work are different jobs. Agree on start and end times, breaks and extra-hour arrangements.
- Child’s age and care needs: infant care may involve feeding support, naps and closer routine coordination. Caring for two children or a newborn and toddler adds responsibility.
- Duties: childcare-only is not the same role as childcare plus cooking, cleaning or laundry. Specify whether any chores are for the child or the whole household.
- Experience and skills: relevant infant-care experience, communication and language needs may influence an offer.
- Employment route: a direct arrangement, placement agency and app-based slot booking may have different fees. Separate caregiver pay from any platform, agency or one-time placement charge.
Part-time and hourly care
Part-time care can mean a few hours each weekday or a small number of days each week. Families may agree a per-hour, per-visit or monthly amount. Compare offers only after confirming the same hours, days, duties and travel expectations.
A Bengaluru-focused 2026 guide from EzyHelpers lists ₹8,000–₹12,000 per month for a part-time nanny working roughly three to five hours daily. This is one provider’s local estimate, not an audited market survey or a rate that applies across India. See the Bengaluru guide and its stated assumptions.
Zipnny is a different arrangement: families select available childcare slots at home through the app, rather than hiring a live-in employee or assuming a caregiver is instantly available. The service page describes bookings of at least three hours; check the app for current availability, session details and the charge shown for your location. See how Zipnny’s slot-based nanny and babysitter service works.
Full-time live-out care
A full-time live-out nanny comes to the home for agreed working hours and returns to their own home. A Bengaluru-focused 2026 guide lists ₹16,000–₹20,000 monthly for an eight-to-ten-hour full-time arrangement. Another service page reports a wider range of ₹15,000–₹30,000 for full-time or live-in roles combined, which illustrates why unlike arrangements should not be compared as if they were the same. These are indicative commercial estimates, not official national averages.
Ask whether the monthly amount is for a fixed number of days and hours. It may not include transport, meals, festival bonus, paid leave, overtime, or replacement cover when the nanny is ill. Do not assume these terms: agree them plainly in advance and check applicable employment rules. The Ministry of Labour’s Code on Wages material discusses wage periods and overtime; the rules that apply can depend on the work and jurisdiction. Read the Ministry’s Code on Wages text.
Live-in care, briefly
A live-in caregiver stays in the household, usually with a sleeping space and meals agreed as part of the arrangement. This does not mean they are available to work around the clock. Define working hours, rest periods, weekly time off, privacy, overnight responsibilities and additional pay before agreeing a salary. A live-in and a live-out quote are not directly comparable because accommodation and meals may be included, while work boundaries can differ.
Zipnny offers slot-based care at home; it is not a live-in placement service. Check the app for available slots and current booking details.
Nanny, babysitter, ayah and daycare: what is the difference?
| Option | Typical arrangement | What to clarify |
|---|---|---|
| Nanny | Ongoing care in the child’s home, part-time or full-time | Hours, childcare duties, extra tasks, leave and pay terms |
| Babysitter | Shorter or occasional childcare; the term is also used for regular roles | Do not rely on the title alone—confirm duties and schedule |
| Ayah | A locally used, informal job title that may refer to childcare or broader domestic help | Ask exactly what care and household work are expected |
| Daycare | Group care at a centre, rather than one caregiver in the family home | Opening hours, fees, meals, policies, staffing and travel |
These labels are not standardised job descriptions. Compare the actual care, hours, setting and responsibilities, not just the name used in an advertisement.
Worked examples (illustrative, not customer stories)
Example 1: Bengaluru, four weekday hours after parental leave. A family could compare a monthly part-time arrangement with a slot-based service. Before comparing totals, check the number of booked hours each month, whether travel is included, what happens on holidays, and whether the quoted amount is salary or a service charge. The local part-time estimate above is only a rough reference; it does not predict either family’s actual offer or app price.
Example 2: nine to six, six days a week. A family seeking a daily live-out caregiver should spell out the weekly schedule, breaks, weekly off, child-related duties and any household tasks. If the role regularly extends beyond agreed hours, settle how extra time is handled rather than assuming it is included in the monthly figure.
What might a monthly figure include—or leave out?
A direct monthly salary is generally the agreed pay for the defined role and schedule. It does not automatically settle food, commute costs, annual or festival bonus, leave, sick-day cover, overtime or agency charges. For a live-in arrangement, meals and accommodation may be separately provided; confirm whether the cash amount is in addition to them. For a platform or agency, ask whether the price is per booking, recurring, or a separate placement fee. Zipnny’s public service page does not publish a universal price list, so consult the app for the charge applicable to the available slot.
Practical checklist
- What are the exact start and finish times, days per week, and expected monthly hours?
- Is the role live-out or live-in? If live-in, what are the private room, meals, rest and weekly-off arrangements?
- Is the work childcare-only? List any child-related tasks and exclude or separately agree whole-house chores.
- Who pays for transport, and is food provided during a shift?
- How are overtime, late finishes, holidays, leave, bonus and payment dates handled?
- What happens if the caregiver is sick or unavailable? Is backup care the family’s responsibility?
- For an agency or app, what is the service or placement fee, what does it cover, and are there recurring charges?
- Write down the agreed duties and rate; discuss emergency contacts and the child’s routine before care begins.
Exceptions and when this does not apply
These examples cannot price every city or household. Smaller towns may have fewer comparable public listings, and a city-wide average can conceal neighbourhood differences. Night care, a newborn plus a toddler, specialist newborn support, unusually long days, or cooking and cleaning for the whole household can change the role substantially. Do not apply the Bengaluru estimates to another city or to a substantially different job. Where local evidence is unavailable, request comparable local quotes and agree terms directly rather than treating an online range as a guaranteed rate.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a part-time nanny in India per month?
There is no dependable single national figure. One 2026 Bengaluru guide lists ₹8,000–₹12,000 for roughly three to five hours daily, but that is a local commercial estimate, not a national benchmark. Hours, days, duties and commute can change the quote.
How much does a full-time live-out nanny cost?
One Bengaluru guide lists ₹16,000–₹20,000 monthly for an eight-to-ten-hour role. Treat it as an indicative local range, not an official or universal rate; confirm the workweek, duties and extras.
Is a live-in nanny cheaper than a live-out nanny?
Not necessarily. A live-in offer may include accommodation and meals, but the responsibilities and schedule may also differ. Compare cash pay, working hours, rest time, weekly off and overnight duties together.
What is the difference between a nanny and an ayah?
“Nanny” and “ayah” are used differently by families and employers; neither label guarantees a standard set of duties. Ask for a clear list of childcare and household responsibilities.
Does a quoted salary include food, bonus, and leave?
Not automatically. Ask whether food, transport, bonus, leave, sick days and overtime are included or separately agreed. Put the terms and payment schedule in writing.
How do Zipnny charges compare with hiring a nanny directly?
They are different service models: direct hiring involves negotiating caregiver pay and employment terms, while Zipnny lets families review and book available slots through the app. The public service page does not give a universal price list; check the app for the current charge and booking details.
When to seek professional help
For employment questions about minimum wages, working hours or obligations, consult the relevant labour department or a qualified legal professional for your state and arrangement. For questions about a child’s health or care needs, ask the child’s paediatrician; a nanny or childcare booking is not medical care.
The most useful comparison is not the lowest monthly number but the full cost of the same schedule and duties. Define the role, clarify extras and check local options before agreeing. Families considering slot-based care can review Zipnny’s nanny service details and check the app for available slots.
Looking for childcare support that fits your family’s schedule? Explore Zipnny’s slot-based nanny services and review the details and charges shown for available bookings before deciding.
Related reading
This article is general information for families in India. It is not a medical diagnosis. Follow your paediatrician’s advice for your child.