The hourly rate for babysitters ranges from $5 to $15, according to Sitters.com, depending on several factors like location, the age and experience of the sitter, and whether it will be an ongoing job. Cities like New York or Los Angeles have higher rates than smaller towns or rural areas. The rate for a teenager is less than for an adult with years of experience, and an occasional babysitter will be paid less than a frequent sitter with regular hours. Both Care.com and Babysitting-Rates.com offer an online calculator to help determine the suggested rate of pay.

On the Other: Other Factors Raise the Rate

The number and age of the children to be cared for will increase the hourly rate. Parents should expect to pay a babysitter $2 to $5 more per hour for each additional child, depending on their age and specific needs, and $1 to $2 per hour extra if the babysitter is expected to perform additional duties such as laundry, house cleaning, or transportation, according to Sheila Lirio Marcelo, CEO of Care.com. Babysitting-Rate.com suggests adding an additional $2 for each hour worked after 10 p.m. or before 8 a.m., and parents should expect to factor in additional costs for babysitting during holidays or for last-minute bookings.

Bottom Line

Babysitting rates vary widely with each situation, which is why Michelle Ehrich, of Geoparent.com, suggests asking friends and neighbors what they have paid. Sitters.com recommends that parents also check with the babysitter's references to determine what the sitter was paid in the past. Ultimately, they say, after hiring a sitter, if parents are happy with the performance, the sitter should be paid more than the going rate to keep the family "at the top of the list."

Source:

Sitters.com

Babysitting-rates.com

Care.com

Resource:

UniversityofMichigan.edu

FamilyEducation.com

Geoparent.com