How much to pay a babysitter?
How much to pay a babysitter?
$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)
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.
| 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 |
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.
| 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:
| 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 |
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.
| 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.
| 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.
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.
Homework help and tutoring costs $25 to $80 per hour.
Housework & house cleaning costs$25 to $50 per hour.
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.
| 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:
Day care centers cost $100 to $350 per week, with highest costs for infant and toddler care.
Before and after-school care costs $40 to $125 per week for school-aged kids.
Home daycare costs $125 to $225 per week to watch one child full-time.
Preschool costs $400 to $1,300 per month or $100 to $325 per week for kids ages 3 to 5. Several states offer free preschool to eligible families.
Summer camp costs $50 to $500 per week for local day camps.
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?