Night nurse cost, 2026
What a night nurse really costs.
Hourly rates, nightly rates and full-plan totals, with the fees, taxes and insurance rules that change the number you actually pay.
The short answer
A night nurse costs $45 to $85 or more an hour in the United States in 2026, or about $400 to $850 for a 9 to 10 hour night. A common plan, 4 nights a week for 6 weeks, comes to about $9,720 to $18,360 in caregiver pay, before any agency fee.
Full-plan totals
What a plan adds up to.
| Plan | Hours | At $45 an hour | At $65 an hour | At $85 an hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One night, 9 hours | 9 | $405 | $585 | $765 |
| 2 weeks, 5 nights a week | 90 | $4,050 | $5,850 | $7,650 |
| 6 weeks, 4 nights a week | 216 | $9,720 | $14,040 | $18,360 |
| 12 weeks, 3 nights a week | 324 | $14,580 | $21,060 | $27,540 |
9-hour nights, caregiver pay only. Agency fees, household payroll taxes and any checks you choose are extra.
Most families book 3 to 5 nights a week and taper over 6 to 12 weeks as the baby starts sleeping longer. Shifts usually run 8 to 10 hours, often 10 pm to 6 am or 9 pm to 7 am.
The hourly rate depends on four things: whether the caregiver is a licensed nurse, years of newborn experience, your city, and whether you have twins or multiples.
Rates by caregiver
Licensed or not changes the rate.
| Caregiver | Licensed | Typical rate | Per 9-hour night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night nurse (RN or LPN) | Yes | $45 to $85+ an hour | $405 to $765+ |
| Newborn care specialist | No | Often $10 to $25 an hour less | About $320 to $570 |
| Night nanny | No | Varies widely, often less again | Varies |
| Postpartum doula, overnight | No | Often $50 to $85 an hour in large cities | $450 to $765 |
Published 2026 market ranges. Your caregiver sets their own rate.
Only a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse may be called a nurse. Many services use "night nurse" for caregivers who are not licensed, so ask for a license number and check it. Our side-by-side comparison explains the difference.
Seattle and the Eastside
Seattle costs more.
Seattle is one of the most expensive overnight newborn care markets in the country. In October 2026 directory data, the Seattle median for overnight newborn care was about $50 an hour, with a typical range of $40 to $60. Licensed registered nurses commonly list $55 to $70 an hour. Newborn care specialists run about $350 to $570 a night, and Eastside nights in Bellevue, Kirkland and Redmond run about $20 higher.
Washington also reserves the title nurse for licensed RNs and LPNs. See night nurses in Seattle and night nurses in Bellevue and the Eastside.
How services charge
Three fee models, one schedule.
| Model | How it works | 12 weeks, 3 nights, $60 an hour |
|---|---|---|
| Flat placement fee | Pay the caregiver directly, plus one flat fee. Ours is $1,500 for a licensed nurse. | $20,940 |
| Percentage placement | Pay the caregiver directly, plus a search fee and a share of everything they earn, often 15% to 35%. | $24,800 at $500 plus 25% |
| All-in hourly agency | One hourly rate that includes the agency's margin. The agency is usually the employer. | Depends on the agency's rate |
324 hours of care at $60 an hour is $19,440 in caregiver pay. Payroll taxes apply when you are the employer.
An all-in hourly agency can cost less in total when its rate is low, and it usually handles payroll. A flat fee costs less than a percentage fee for any plan longer than a few weeks, and the caregiver keeps their full rate. Compare the total for your own schedule, not the headline number. See our pricing.
Costs families miss
Taxes, insurance and gifts.
Household payroll. When you hire a caregiver directly, you are usually their employer. In 2026, paying a household worker $3,000 or more in cash wages generally means you owe the employer share of Social Security and Medicare (7.65%) and file Schedule H. Washington adds Paid Family and Medical Leave and WA Cares rules. A household payroll service costs about $49 to $75 a month.
Insurance, FSA and HSA. Overnight care for a healthy baby generally is not a medical expense (IRS Publication 502). A dependent care FSA, with a 2026 limit of $7,500 per household, requires care that lets you work, which rules out most of parental leave (IRS Publication 503). Some employer benefit programs do cover postpartum or caregiving services. Ask your plan administrator and a tax professional.
Gifts. Grandparents and friends can put nights toward your care. Some registries let you add a cash fund for night help.
Spend less
Five ways to spend less.
- Book 3 nights a week instead of 5, and spread them so no one goes more than a night without sleep.
- Taper after the first 4 to 6 weeks, when most babies start sleeping longer stretches.
- Choose a newborn care specialist if a nursing license is not important to you.
- Compare fee models on your real schedule. A percentage fee grows with every night you add.
- Book early. Last-minute and holiday coverage costs more and is harder to find.
Questions families ask
How much does a night nurse cost per night?
At $45 to $85 an hour, a 9-hour night costs about $405 to $765, and a 10-hour night about $450 to $850. Twins usually add $5 to $10 an hour. Agency fees, if any, come on top.
How much does a night nurse cost in Seattle?
Seattle is one of the most expensive overnight newborn care markets in the country. October 2026 directory data put the Seattle median for overnight newborn care at about $50 an hour, with licensed registered nurses commonly listing $55 to $70. Eastside nights run about $20 higher than Seattle.
Is a newborn care specialist cheaper than a night nurse?
Usually, by about $10 to $25 an hour. A newborn care specialist is trained in newborn care but does not hold a nursing license and cannot legally be called a nurse. A night nurse is a licensed RN or LPN.
Does insurance, an FSA or an HSA pay for a night nurse?
Usually not for a healthy baby. IRS Publication 502 excludes care of a normal, healthy baby from medical expenses, and dependent care accounts generally require that the care lets you work. Some employer benefit programs cover postpartum or caregiving services, so ask your plan administrator, and ask a tax professional before you count on it.
Do I owe taxes when I hire a night nurse directly?
Often, yes. If you pay a household worker $3,000 or more in cash wages in 2026, you generally owe the employer share of Social Security and Medicare (7.65%) and file Schedule H with your federal return. State rules vary. A household payroll service handles this for about $49 to $75 a month.
How far ahead should I book a night nurse?
Four to six months before your due date, which is usually the second trimester. Experienced night nurses book up, and babies arrive early, so ask how the caregiver handles an early start.
Sources
- IRS Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses
- IRS Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses
- IRS Publication 926, Household Employer's Tax Guide
- Seattle and national overnight newborn care rates from public caregiver directories and agency price pages, October 2026
Find a nurse near you.
Tell us your nights, and we will send you a shortlist of licensed nurses with their rates.