How Much Does a Nanny Cost? A Detailed Breakdown for Denver, Colorado
Denver families, we see you — balancing career, family, and adventure in the Mile High City is no small feat. ☀️
If you're looking for a nanny to support your household, it’s crucial to understand what goes into the real cost of hiring a professional caregiver — beyond just the hourly wage.
Here’s your full updated guide for hiring a nanny in Denver in 2025!
Average Nanny Pay Rates in Denver (2025)
The average hourly rate for a full-time, professional nanny in Denver is currently between $28–$32 per hour.
If you are seeking a nanny with additional responsibilities like family assistant work, household management, travel flexibility, or multiple children, you should expect rates closer to $35–$45 per hour or even higher depending on experience and role complexity.
In Denver’s competitive market, experienced career nannies, newborn specialists, or nannies with special skills (such as teaching credentials, bilingual fluency, or extensive infant care experience) can easily command top-tier wages.
What Does a Full-Time Nanny Cost Annually in Denver?
For a standard full-time schedule of 40 hours per week, families hiring within the $28–$32/hour range will pay an annual gross salary between $58,000 and $66,500.
Families hiring at the higher $35–$45+/hour range can expect annual salaries between $72,800 and $93,600.
But salary isn’t the only cost involved.
In addition to wages, household employers are responsible for about 10% in employer taxes. These include:
Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA)
Federal Unemployment (FUTA)
Colorado State Unemployment Insurance (SUI)
There’s also workers' compensation insurance to consider. While not legally required for all household employers in Colorado, it's highly recommended to protect your family if a nanny gets injured on the job. Workers' comp coverage usually costs about $400–$500 per year.
When factoring in salary, taxes, and insurance, your total annual employer cost to hire a full-time nanny in Denver will likely land between $65,000 and $105,000 depending on the nanny's rate and the benefits you offer.
Employer Responsibilities When Hiring a Nanny in Denver
If you hire a nanny in Colorado, you are legally considered a household employer — and with that comes important responsibilities.
Here’s what you’ll need to manage:
Employment Taxes: You must withhold and pay Social Security, Medicare, FUTA, and SUI.
Payroll Reporting: You’ll need to issue your nanny a W-2 at year-end and file employment tax forms quarterly.
Workers' Compensation Insurance: Highly recommended to protect you and your nanny.
Overtime Pay: Any hours over 40 in a week must be paid at time-and-a-half.
Pay Frequency: In Colorado, wages must be paid regularly — either weekly, biweekly, or monthly (no random or delayed payments allowed).
Final Pay Rules: If you terminate employment, the nanny’s final paycheck must be issued immediately. If the nanny resigns, final wages are due on the next scheduled payday.
Families must also comply with general labor protections — like non-discrimination laws — and should maintain good recordkeeping of hours, pay, and time off.
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Guaranteed Hours, Paid Time Off (PTO), and Other Standard Benefits
In today’s competitive Denver nanny market, offering professional benefits is expected, not optional. Here’s what most full-time nannies are looking for:
Guaranteed Hours: Even if you don’t need your nanny one day (travel, daycare closures, etc.), they should still be paid for their guaranteed 40 hours per week.
Paid Time Off (PTO): Most families offer two to three weeks of paid vacation per year, often including one week at the family's choosing and one at the nanny’s choosing.
Paid Holidays: Typically, nannies receive six to eight paid holidays like New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Paid Sick Days: A standard offer is three to five sick days per year.
Health Insurance Stipends: Many families offer a monthly stipend of $150–$300 to help cover healthcare costs.
Annual Raises: It's common to offer an annual raise of 3–5% based on performance and loyalty.
Holiday Bonus: Many families give an end-of-year bonus equal to one to two weeks' pay as a thank-you for their nanny’s hard work.
Offering these benefits not only attracts better candidates — it leads to longer placements, better retention, and a much happier household overall.
Other Costs to Plan For
Mileage Reimbursement: If your nanny drives their own car to do errands, drive children, or attend activities, you’ll need to reimburse mileage. The 2025 IRS standard mileage rate is around 67 cents per mile.
CPR and First Aid Certification Renewal: Some families reimburse their nanny yearly for maintaining active CPR/First Aid certification.
Parking Passes or Public Transportation Costs: If your nanny works downtown or in urban areas, you might need to provide parking or transit assistance.
Final Thoughts on Hiring a Nanny in Denver
Hiring a professional nanny isn’t just a childcare solution — it’s a commitment to building a strong, respectful employer-employee relationship.
Taking the time to properly structure your nanny’s employment — from offering guaranteed hours and benefits to setting up legal payroll — ensures that your family is protected, and that your nanny feels valued and secure.
The more prepared and professional you are, the better your long-term relationship with your nanny will be.
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