How much to pay a babysitter?
Ashburn, VA

How much to pay a babysitter?

Ashburn, VA

How much to pay a babysitter?

$14 – $20per hour (1 kid)
$15 – $25per hour (2+ kids)
$110 – $160per day (8 hours)
$500 – $800per week (35 – 40 hours)

Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:

$14 – $20 per hour (1 kid)

$15 – $25 per hour (2+ kids)

$110 – $160 per day (8 hours)

$500 – $800 per week (35 – 40 hours)


Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:
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Tamatha Hazen
Written by
Tamatha Hazen
Edited by
Kristen Cramer

Average babysitting rates

Babysitting rates are $14 to $20 per hour for one child. The going rate for babysitting 2 or more children is $15 to $25 per hour. The average babysitting rate for infants is 5% to 15% more than for older children. Babysitting prices increase for holidays, last minute bookings, and late-night shifts.

Average babysitting rates
Rate Average cost
Hourly rate $14 – $20
Day rate (8 hours) $110 – $160
Overnight (24 hours) $150 – $275
Weekend $300 – $550
Weekly (35 – 40 hours) $500 – $800
Monthly $2,200 – $3,400
Yearly salary $26,000 – $40,000

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Babysitting rates per hour

Babysitting hourly rates per kid

Babysitting rates for one child are $14 to $20 per hour. Costs increase by $1 to $3 per hour for each additional child.

Babysitting rates per hour by number of children - Chart
Babysitting rates per hour by number of children - Chart
Babysitting rates per child
Number of children Hourly rate
1 $14 – $20
2 $15 – $23
3 or more $16 – $25

Additional hourly fees for babysitting

Babysitters may charge additional hourly fees on top of their regular rate for less desirable or high-demand shifts:

Additional hourly fees for babysitting
Factor Additional cost
Holidays + $3 – $5 per hr for most holidays, and up to twice their regular rate for NYE
Night shift + $3 – $5 per hour
Last-minute + $2 – $3 per hour
Guests + $2 – $3 per hour per guest

A babysitter working on arts and crafts with two young children.
A babysitter working on arts and crafts with two young children.

Babysitting prices per day

The price per day for babysitting depends on the hours worked. Before and after-school sitters work 2 to 5 hours per day, while an all-day sitter typically works an 8-hour shift or longer.

Babysitting prices per day
Hours Average total cost
1 $14 – $20
2 $28 – $40
3 $42 – $60
4 $56 – $80
5 $70 – $100
8 $110 – $160
10 $140 – $200
12 $170 – $240

How much do babysitters make per week?

Babysitters make $70 to $100 to work 5 hours per week or up to $1,100 to work 50 hours.

  • Regular babysitters are considered domestic workers and earn time-and-a-half for hours over 40 per week.

  • Casual babysitters with no set schedule are exempt from government wage rules.

Babysitter cost per week
Hours per week Average cost per week
5 $70 – $100
10 $140 – $200
15 $210 – $300
20 $280 – $400
25 $350 – $500
30 $420 – $600
35 $500 – $700
40 $560 – $800
50 hours* $770 – $1,100*

*Including overtime pay.

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A babysitter meeting the mother and her young child.
A babysitter meeting the mother and her young child.

Babysitter pay rate factors

Some factors that impact a babysitter rates include:

  • Age & number of children – Infant care costs about 5% to 15% more than care for older children. Caring for more than one child increases hourly rates by $1 to $3 per hour per child.

  • Experience and education – Babysitters with an early childhood education degree, years of experience, or safety and health certifications charge more per hour.

  • Hours – Casual babysitters are paid hourly, only working as needed. More permanent positions are filled by higher paid regular nannies that work a consistent schedule.

  • Special care – Caring for children with special needs or medical issues increases the babysitter rate.

  • Additional expenses

    • Periodic background checks cost $25 to $200.

    • Reimburse transportation costs at $0.62.5 per mile for gas and maintenance when the sitter transports the children and runs household errands.

  • Additional responsibilities – The sitter may negotiate a higher pay rate to perform household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and pet care.

  • Taxes – Parents must pay 7.65% in Social Security and Medicare taxes for caregivers earning $2,600 or more in a calendar year.

Overnight babysitting

An overnight babysitter costs $150 to $275 for a 24-hour shift, depending on how the sitter is paid. Some parents pay a day rate until the kids go to bed, and $75 to $150 during sleeping hours. Others negotiate a 24-hour flat-rate fee.

Average overnight babysitting rates
Factor Overnight (10 – 12 hours) 24-hour period Full weekend
1 child $75 – $150 $150 – $275 $300 – $550
2 children $85 – $185 $175 – $325 $350 – $650
3+ children $95 – $210 $200 – $375 $400 – $750

Average babysitter salary

The average babysitter salary is $26,000 to $40,000 per year, depending on the number and age of the children, hours worked, and the sitter's experience and skills.

Babysitter cost vs. nanny

A nanny costs $15 to $25 per hour. A babysitter is usually a teenager or young adults working short-term as needed, while a nanny is paid more for their experience and long-term commitment.

Other child care alternatives include:

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A nanny reading a book to two young children.
A nanny reading a book to two young children.

Frequently asked questions

Do you tip a babysitter?

Tipping a babysitter is not required, but many parents round up the hourly rate at the end of the night as a small bonus.

How much do unlicensed babysitters get paid?

Babysitters are unlicensed caregivers that get paid $14 to $20 per hour to care for children in a private home.

What do babysitters do?

A babysitter's main duties include:

  • Playing with the children

  • Feeding and bathing

  • Changing diapers

  • Putting the children to bed

How to find and hire a babysitter

When hiring a babysitter, be sure to:

  • Get referrals from trusted friends or teachers.

  • Look for a sitter with several years of experience.

  • Confirm their credentials and qualifications.

  • Browse their reviews on TrustedCare and Google.

  • Select from sitters that fit your schedule and budget.

Questions to ask

  • How many years have you been babysitting?

  • What ages of children have you cared for?

  • Do you have any qualifications or certifications?

  • Do you live locally? Do you have transportation?

  • Have you ever had to handle an emergency? If yes, what happened and how did you react?

  • Do you have experience caring for children with medical needs or behavioral challenges?

  • Are you willing to perform light cleaning when the children go to bed?

  • Do you mind working late-night shifts or weekends?


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