How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

271 Responses to “How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?”

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1. 251
   Lauren Says:
   September 4th, 2012 at 9:12 pm

   I have had several babysitting job, between 1-3 kids, and I get paid between $10-15/hour; I usually make $12, but my newest family (with 2 kids) pays $15/hr. They also live in Roland Park, so it is a swankier area than some

2. 252
   Flowerpuffgirl Says:
   September 9th, 2012 at 4:16 pm

   5 dollars an hour for 7yrs and 3yrs

3. 253
   Lizzie Says:
   September 10th, 2012 at 8:09 pm

   I’m 12 almost 13 in october , and i was wanting to start babysitting in my building and i heard that you can charge up to 20 dollars for 2 kids ?!?! I don’t think that’s right at all

   Since i’m gonna be a newbie at this should i start at 8-10 for at least 2 kids (depending on age ) I get that i should probably lower it , but watever the age of the child should be i guess the lower age , the higher the price . Right ?

   Any Tips !?!

4. 254
   alex Says:
   September 13th, 2012 at 7:44 pm

   I babysit I have 2 different families I work for ,1 family I babysit for is a 5 yr old and. The other 3 yr old the second family. Is a 5 yr old and I get paid $20 for the first family and $5 for the second. Family.

5. 255
   Mrs. M Says:
   September 17th, 2012 at 10:02 am

   I found all the responses to be very interesting. I haven’t babysat since before I was 16 (when I went to work at a real job.) At age 11, I was a Red Cross certified babysitter, trained to babysit including bathing and changing infants, as well as to perform infant and adult CPR. I was the youngest of 8 or 10 neighborhood babysitters, but was very soon babysitting every single weekend night. Then, minimum wage was less than $3 per hour. I was paid anywhere from $0.50 to $1.25 per hour. The summer I was 13, my favorite family (2 kids) offered me $60 per week to show up at their house at lunchtime to feed the kids who were by then returning from the neighborhood park supevised summer recreation program, then I stayed until Mom or Dad got home from work. I loved being at their house more than mine, and was welcome to show up as early as I wanted any day. For my $60 per week, I also happily agreed to (on days they asked) run a load of laundry (they already sorted) through the washing machine and hang clean clothes in their basement. I also (every day) cleaned their kitchen, including their dinner and breakfast dishes and wiping down counters and sweeping the floor. Those were the chores they requested of me. But, as I liked being there I also picked up the dining room and living room on a daily basis and dusted periodically. The following summer (age 14) I moved in with the kids for 5 days while Mom and Dad went out of town, leaving me with medical power of attorney, etc. Again, I find the responses very interesting. Mostly I think it’s because of all the parents who have lost (or never realized they had) control over how much they pay for a sitter. When you hire a sitter you decide how much you pay them. Anyone willing to babysit to earn money is not going to reject a paying job because you inform them in advance the job will pay 20% less per hour than they were trying to railroad you into paying. A babysitter being paid to babysit is not being paid to do anything else. If you’re willing to pay a premium rate to a babysitter with the expectation that they perform other household duties while at your home should be informed of those duties, or a parent has no right to object to coming home to a house as untidy as it was when they left it.

6. 256
   T.E Says:
   October 2nd, 2012 at 12:29 pm

   WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   HERE IN TEXAS MY BABY SITTER CHARGES ME $200.00 A WEEK THIS IS FOR A 8 AND 4 YR OLD AND A 3 MTH OLD…..THE 8 YEAR OLD IS ONLY FOR 1 HOUR AND 30 MINUTES SO FOR HIM A DAY $50.00; AND THE OTHER 2 IS $75.00 A DAY EACH FOR 9 HOURS A DAY I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT SHE WOULD CHARGE MORE FOR THE 3 MTH OLD SINCE SHE REQUIRES MORE ATTENTION, BOTTLE FEED , BURP, DIAPER CHNG ETC….NOW TO ME THATS ALOT SINCE I WOULD BE PAYING HER MORE THAN I PAY A MONTH FOR MY MORTGAGE AND WOULD BE A GOOD PORTION OF MY MONTHLY INCOME, HOWEVER SHE WOULD PROVIDE THE FOOD AND AT TIMES I WOULD. NOW MY MOTHER IN LAW NEVER OR HARDLY MAKES MONEY WHEN SHE SITS HER OTHER GRANDKIDS. WE PLAN ON GIVING HER ABOUT $20 TO $30 A DAY ROUGHLY ABOUT $100 TO $150 A WEEK FOR THE 3 KIDS AND AGAIN THE OLDEST FOR 1 HOUR AND 30 MIN AND SHE WOULD DO THIS AT OUR HOME FOR 9 HOURS A DAY ONLY M-F AND WE PROVIDE THE FOOD. SO DO YOU ALL THINK THIS WOULD BE OK FOR MY MOTHER IN LAW, ALSO AT OUR HOUSE SHE WOULD NOT DO MORE THAN TAKE CARE OF THE KIDS, WHERE AT MY BRO-IN-LAWS HOUSE SHE DOES ALLLLLLL…CLEAN , LAUNDRY, COOK FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY OF 6 NOT INCLUDING MY FATHER AND MOTHER IN LAW…OH AND THEY BUY GROCERIES TOO NOW THEY DO LIVE WITH THEM BUT STILL ITS TOO MUCH….ANYHOW WOULD IT BE FAIR TO PAY HER ROUGTHLY $100 – $150 A WEEK FOR OUR 3 CHILDREN??? I DONT WANT HER TO FEEL AS IF WE ARE TAKEING ADVANTAGE OF HER.
   YEEEEZ !! I FEEL BAD NOW ….$10 + AN HOUR FOR SITTING AND HERE I PAY ………….

7. 257
   julie Says:
   October 5th, 2012 at 3:36 pm

   I live in illinois (cook county area) in the suburbs. I have raised 2 children of my own. 1 of them is now 23 years old and married. I have babysat for all ages most of my life. I now am babysitting a nine year old that is ADHD. They refuse to pay me more than $2 per hr. Now I was asked to babysit on the weekend coming up and only want to pay $10 for 6 hrs. I asked for $15 and they said their child is not an infant. I am really feeling taken advantage of now. Is this right that I should be getting paid more?

8. 258
   Bettyann Says:
   October 5th, 2012 at 5:09 pm

   Julie, I want to know if you would babysit my dog for me…..just kidding. Let me see if I have this correct. If my daughter needed u to sit for 40 hours a week you would only get $80.00 for a weeks work? U can’t be serious..that u would let people dump their problem child on u for 2.00 an hour with all that responsibility?
   This family is most definitely taking advantage of you. And, further it is not a matter of asking them for more pay….You need to run…do not walk in the other direction from this family. You owe them no explanation. They appear to be excellent at manipulating you, and if u offer them a reason, you may be sucked back into their web. I am sure you can find much nicer people, who may need u more, for whom to babysit. There are many people trying to make ends meet, maybe the husband has been laid off and needs to seek work. Maybe their budget is limited. But slave labor was outlawed …or did u not get that memo?
   It sounds as if u could use a vacation…..if i ever do go away and need someone to watch my baby Pomeranian…..I’ll fly u to NYC…..and u can watch her for me…..and get a free trip too boot!
   For a child with special needs, especially a risk taker…like most adhd kids (i know i have one-grown now) you should be getting about 10-15.00 an hour. Infants maybe $5-6…and tiddlers…man they keep u busy….I’d ask like 10 haha….just to help compensate me for the chiropractor bill at the end of the week…LOL
   Look…these people have got your number….get out of their grasp fast…b4 something bad happens and then they sue u on top of all this …You can do better.
   Bettyann betsyneedsalife@yahoo.com

9. 259
   Bettyann Says:
   October 5th, 2012 at 5:15 pm

   TE,
   It’s rude to type in caps!
   Fyi.
   Bettyann

10. 260
    Bettyann Says:
    October 5th, 2012 at 5:20 pm

    Lizzy,
    Minimum wage is 8.00 an hour. Babysitters should not get that. They have no taxes to pay and the $ is free and clear. That said. Don’t be greedy, it’s pin money. You are not supporting a family on your earnings. If you buy yourself a nice blouse or pair of shoes out of your work, you are lucky. 5.00 an hour is fine. Especially if it is at night and the kids are sleep.
    Babysitters with no taxes to pay should get min wage minus their taxes’ish- 5-6 an hour. what on earth is going on here?

11. 261
    Tina Says:
    October 30th, 2012 at 7:16 pm

    I read all of the comments and I felt the desire to add my thoughts. I am out of college and have a full-time job. I often babysit for a few different families so the parents can have a night out or a parent can attend a school play, etc. Day or night, number of kids, etc. does not matter to me. I agree with others who have commented it is simply a little extra cash and only that. I allow parents to pay what they wish…they have always paid me fairly. Really, it is a way that allows me a little extra money for gas or a movie and the parents get to do what they need. Since many of my friends are new parents (children under 5), I volunteer to babysit for free a night a month so they can have a date night. I would not offer if I did not want to do it for free. I think people need to be in it for the right reason: to help out parents needing affordable childcare every so often…and allow them to define affordable. Yes, it is work, but you should be able to accept what a family can afford to pay you to watch their children within reason. If a family pays me $5, then that is fine. I would never turn down an invitation to watch their children because they define “affordable” different than another family. For those babysitting without dependents…simply be thankful for the opportunity to make some extra cash. (Thank you Bettyann for your reasonable and thoughtful comment before mine!)

12. 262
    Jade Says:
    November 1st, 2012 at 12:45 am

    I was paid 20 an hour in Chicago area by both of my families.According to them,I was worth every penny.I wouldn’t consider a babysitting job under 15 an hour.

    Besides,they never took adventage of me.I was not required to do any housekeeping.Though, I performed some extras as a token of my appreciation for generous bonuses, paid vacation and overtime.I loved my job, especially my kids.

13. 263
    Joce Says:
    November 17th, 2012 at 8:20 pm

    I usually babysit 3 children all under 5 for $10. I charge $5 for first kid and $2.50 for each additional child. I think this is fair because I am expected to do small chores like making sure they finish picking up they’re toys, and all I have to do for dinner is cook something in the micro wave. And I don’t understand the parents who say babysitters don’t do a lot because we really do we have to clean (occasionaly), We have to make dinner, we have to play with them, we have to put them to bed we have to bath them,occasionally we have to take the places if necessary, and if there is an emergency your 6 year old isn’t gonna be able to fix it.

14. 264
    Jade jordan Says:
    December 14th, 2012 at 1:03 pm

    I’m a babysitter and I get payed 3.00 an hour 2.00 a kid and for 4 hours that’s 16.00 a night

15. 265
    Lari Says:
    January 28th, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    I’m from NJ, I’m 28 and I have worked over 2 years as a babysitter. I have worked with many families to find the right fit I only got offered $10 per hour, for 2 children, 30 hour week once. Everyone else offered me between $12-15 per hour, for a 65 hour week cash for 2 or less children. I never had children and have minimum experience compared to many professional babysitters, however, if that is what you do for a living, why would anyone accept less than $12 per hour to take care of a child? Smart parents pay well and get their children treated better. Remember if your babysitter is underpaid and dissatisfied, your children can suffer the consequences. “You get what you pay for!”

16. 266
    Angie Says:
    February 1st, 2013 at 11:57 am

    I think that $10hr is fair. For ONE child. But if you have two children $12 hr is perfect too. Let me give you one example.
    Im 22. College student. CPR certified. Feed/bath your children. Once they’re asleep – if you have a dirty kitchen i clean it for you (wash/put away dishes)
    I worked in the brickell area in Miami and one lady paid me $10 hr. Starting from 8:30 pm. She would stay out until 1:30 am and all i would leave with was around $55 dollars. She never rounded up if anythig round down. When she called me again i said $15 an hr because she would have me go in late – to come home late.
    She said to me “i dont want to pay so much because you just sit in and wait for us to come home. So i said .. If your child starts choking in the middle of the night you better believe i will save him and call 911 and even drive him or her to te hospital.
    She ended up paying me the $15hr because if she has money to live in a penthouse at brickell and stay up until 1-2 am … She can pay her babysitter well. At least once in a while.

    So i say… Pay your babysitter well. If you pay them well- they will love you and if one day you have an emergency they will be there ( i will) . The proper care of your children while you’re doing whatever you’re doing … Has no price. And be considerate of their time. If it was your daughter … You wouldnt want them coming home with only $50 in their pocket at 2 am.

17. 267
    Phil Says:
    February 1st, 2013 at 1:36 pm

    Angie I think $10, (more for more kids) is fair in your area, but likely at the top end of the scale I would pay someone with a good skills set. Especially if you are doing the extras you mention and CPR certified etc, etc.

    Keep in mind though you are not paying taxes on that rate and therefore if you compare it to someone paying taxes, you are making about $12.50 / hour on the $10 rate, and about $19 / hour on the $15 rate. That is pretty good money, some teachers who have been school for 4+ years barely make these compared rates. So if I were to hire you at these rates… I would definitely want my child to be taken good care of, I would also like some planned educational activities / outings that would help her gain every possible edge academically and socially.

    I would also need meals prepared and would definitely expected my home to be fully cleaned, floors mopped, bathroom / tubs cleaned and laundry folded.

    I would pay these rates if I could find someone to attend to our child / home at this level. Unfortunately many of the people that we have interviewed can’t achieve these expectations, so we end up paying $8 to just be sitter for a few hours occassionally. Besides, I would never want to be away from my child for more than a few hours, at most an overnight thing. Whats the point of having a child if you are going to be out all hours of the night?

18. 268
    Hailey Says:
    February 1st, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    I get paid $5.25 (below minimum wage in California) to nanny a 7-month old Mon-Fri from 8am-5pm. I cook, mop (2 times a week), vacuum (3or more, times a week), do the dishes (no dishwasher is used), clean all baby areas, dust the entire house, clean the bathroom (shower, toilet, sink, mirrors), babies laundry, and parents laundry.

    Basically, I’m looking for a new job. I’m CPR & first aid certified, 4 years of experience, and excellent references. My primary duties are the child, but currently I’m the maid which is not what I signed up for. For my job right now, I should be paid $15 or more an hour. I know a maid that makes $20/hour that does what I do, minus the childcare. I also live in a very wealthy city where average household income is $100,000 a year. There for, nannies are more expensive

19. 269
    Angie Says:
    February 1st, 2013 at 3:20 pm

    Phil.
    Exactly. Your last sentence made all the sense i use when charging. I mean- why would a parent be out until 2 am? Oh yeah it has happened to me with some parents. Because they say ” im not paying much so i can afford to pay 20 more dollars. 20 more dollars mean 2 more hrs im there awake. Making sure ur kids and house are safe.
    Believe me – i think $15 is CRAZY. But i do it to avoid the parent taking advantage of my time. I dont want to get home at 2 am with less then $50 dollars for that matter. Would you?
    If i babysit lets say – after school until bed time 2:30 to 8 … I consider … $10 hr. But this would only include the kids. Homework, park, dinner, drive to soccer, basketball whatever, bath: story time/ bed time. Picking up after them and washing the dishes.
    At $15 . With your description – thats a full on nanny/housekeeper job and it would be a great job if you take me on as an indespensable family member.
    But my whole point was… I would only charge $15 if its at night … Late night,. Or just 3 hrs or less.
    I rarely have to charge this much. Usually i babysit after school. And i love kids, i treat them like my own kids. For some reason kids get attached to me so do i. I recently had twins move away and i cried like a baby. And did they. The parents asked me to move with them!! I dont only wantto babysit for a family once- i want to be THE babysitter. You get me ?

20. 270
    Angie Says:
    February 1st, 2013 at 3:27 pm

    Hailey,
    Girl. $5 hr ? Come’on . Thats what a 16 year old would get paid. For babysitting only. Have you asked for a raise ? If not, you should. Looks like Phil would be willing to pay you $15 if you do what you’re doing right now at your current job! Talk to phil .

    Angie

21. 271
    Hailey Says:
    February 1st, 2013 at 4:50 pm

    Angie,

    I know, I took this as a second job (I have an overnight). So I wasn’t checking the money really and I was told light housekeeping and to start dinner. That’s obviously not what I’ve been doing.

    I really don’t even know how to approach the family about this. What I want to say is that I will still continue to do all the chores, but the pay is just not working for as much as I’m doing. I think for what I’m doing I should be making about $15/hour. Being paid as their nanny at $8/hour and their maid as $7/hour. Is only fair, am I wrong? It’s just such a touchy subject that I don’t even know how to discuss this without completely offending them.

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