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Babysitter Cost

How Much Does a Babysitter Cost?

low cost Typically: $5-$15 an hour

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Typical costs:
  • According to BabySitters.com, rates paid by the hour depend on where you live and the ages and temperaments of your children. Hourly rates generally run $5-$15.
Additional costs:
  • Multiple children, long hours and baby-sitters hired to work on holidays will increase the cost. It's not recommended to ask baby-sitters to perform additional duties, such as cleaning the house.
  • BabySitters.com recommend adding a tip to the regular hourly pay to encourage the sitter to make your family a priority.
Discounts:
  • According to BabyCenter.com, some parents organize a baby-sitting co-op -- a trade instead of paid service -- in which they take turns watching each other's children.
  • Sometimes families will pool together to hire a baby-sitter for the night.
Shopping for a babysitter:
  • Because costs vary by region, parents should ask other parents in their area what they normally pay their sitters, and what they pay for extras such as multiple children, long hours, late nights, and holidays.
  • The non-profit organization Safe Sitter says parents should pay according to experience. They recommend finding a sitter who likes children, is trustworthy and competent. Sitters should know basic first aid, how to care for a choking infant or child, and how to call for help in an emergency. Parents should always check references.
  • According to BabyCenter.com, word of mouth is a good way to gather names of teens and adults in your area who like to baby-sit. They also recommend checking your local Yellow Pages for a local baby-sitting agency. You may also search 411.com for child care services in your area.
  • Sites that charge a fee, such as BabySitters.com (which offers a three-month subscription for $30), SitterCity.com (with an annual plan of $8 per month and free registration or a monthly plan of $10 per month and $40 registration) and 4Sitters.com (with a one-time setup fee of $35 plus $7 per month) offer a search by zip code feature to help connect parents with desirable baby-sitters.
  • Church, senior center and school bulletin boards, and online resources like Craigslist are additional ways to search for baby-sitters in your area, but be sure to do a thorough reference check.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. For medical decisions, always consult your physician for the right course for your infant or child.
 
Article updated November 2006
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Recent Posts
Amount: $10.00 per hour Babysitters...
Posted by: first time parent in San Jose, CA.Purchased: October, 2008
Agency or Individual: individual
One tip we got from friends is, if you use daycare, to see if any of the caregivers there work nights/weekends babysitting. We tried that, and were thrilled to find out the same person who takes care of our baby by day was available sometimes on weekends. At $10 an hour (about $50 for an evening), it's a pricey addition to a night out, but nice for special occasions. Another person at the daycare was letting it be known she babysits at $15 an hour, but that seemed kind of expensive...
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Amount: $5.00 per hour Babysitter Cost
Posted by: Alison in Houston, TX.Purchased: January, 2009
Agency or Individual: Parent
We have a teenage girl (16) that has taken a babysitter course and has infant/child first aid certification. WE give her $5 an hour, and coonsidering that the kids are fast asleep, and she is more than welcome to use the phone, tv, raid the fridge, it's not a bad paying gig :P
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Amount: $17.00 per hour Babysitter cost in california
Posted by: Irais in Hayward, CA.Purchased: May, 2009
Agency or Individual: individual
I babysit 2 kids and get paid $17 per hour. I have 10 years experience and kids of my own.
My prices range from $15-$17 per hour. I prepare the meals or dinner for them as well as give them baths and play hide and seek!
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Amount: $10.00 per hour Babysitter in Atlanta, GA
Posted by: Ms. Peaches in Atlanta, GA.Purchased: June, 2009
Agency or Individual: Nanny When U Need It
I babysit kids and I charge $10.00 per hour, or $50.00 for up to five hours. If you need a Nanny or Babysitter in the Metro Atlanta Area area send me an email nannywhenuneedit@yahoo.com
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Amount: $5.00 per hour Teenage Baby Sitter
Posted by: Anna Marie Wilcher in Savannah, GA.Purchased: June, 2009
Agency or Individual: Individual
If you live in Savannah Georgia. I know the most responsible teenager to watch your precious children. She did an excellent job for my family while we were there visiting relatives. The fee is $5dollars an hour, and worth every penny.
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Amount: $5.00 per hour babysitting
Posted by: brittany in fort bragg, NC.Purchased: August, 2009
Agency or Individual: stay at home mom
i have 3 kids 5 year old ,3 year old and 2 year old so i know how to take care of kids .we play games have snack time read books and my kids love playing with other kids. im im trying to earn extra money for christmas and for my husband and i to going on a trip when he returns from overseas
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Amount: $13.00 per hour Babysitter
Posted by: Redpanda in Boston, MA.Purchased: 2009
We\'re very fortunate to pay only $13 an hour for the sitter who watches our son; the going rate around here is $15-$20 an hour. Our sitter is an elementary school teacher who is fantastic with kids...love him!

I can\'t believe some people here are paying $5 an hour--is that even minimum wage?
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Amount: $5.00 per hour I'm a babysitter
Posted by: Shelby Twiss in Garden, KS.Purchased: 2010
Agency or Individual: Shelby Twiss
I usually charge 5 dollars an hour, but last week I told a coworker I'd babysit for 7 dollars an hour. I love in Kansas and she seemed a little put off by that amount. I'm only 18 so I thought it was appropriate, even considering she has four children.
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Amount: $5.00 per hour Babysitter
Posted by: allybally in Phoenix, AZ.Purchased: 2009
Agency or Individual: Individual
I pay $5 to teenagers. It is not minimum wage but it is called a first job that you aren\\\'t paying taxes or social security on. I have two easy kids that go to bed with out a problem so I think it is very reasonable.
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Amount: $5.00 per hour ammount
Posted by: happy facses in lutz tampa, FL.Purchased: January, 2009
Agency or Individual: individual
Well I'm 13 and its going to be my first time babysitting and I'm charging 5 dollers an hour plaus 2 dollers for each aditional child.......dose that seem right????
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Amount: $5.00 per hour me
Posted by: a user in orlando, FL.Purchased: 2010
Agency or Individual: individual
I'm 15 I am certified, years of experience ranging from 3 months to 11 years, and I only charge 5 dollars and hour flat no matter how many kids. I mean if I can tell they are abusing it I will just not babysit for them agian . If they wanna pay ne extra that's fine but 15-20 is crazy!!!
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Amount: $10.00 per hour Mom with experience
Posted by: a user in Vienna, WV.Purchased: May, 2010
Agency or Individual: Individual Stay At Home Mom
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Amount: $0.00 per hour baby-sitting
Posted by: blah in Great Bend, KS.Purchased: 2010
Agency or Individual: Tiffany
I baby-sit and charge 20 dollars for 8pm-8am. There sleeping so it\\\\\\\'s not a big deal. During the day it\\\\\\\'s usually whatever they have cus I don\\\\\\\'t have a job and enjoy kids.
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Amount: $15.00 per hour babysitter
Posted by: Jase in Eureka, CA.Purchased: 2010
Agency or Individual: individual
I can't believe people are paying their babysitters $5 an hour! You are trusting these people with your childs life! Isn't that worth a little more than $5 an hour for good care?

I charge about $15 for two boys under the age of 5. One isn't potty trained, so that factors in. I also do house cleaning.
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Amount: $3.50 per hour 18 year old babysitter
Posted by: Torrie in Mount Holly, NJ.Purchased: 2010
Agency or Individual: Individual
I am the oldest of five kids. Have gone through all the CPR training, and infant watch programs. I usually charge 3.50 an hour per child. I also never watch more then five children at one time.
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Amount: $8.00 per hour 19 year old babysitter
Posted by: yalonda crocker in washington, DC.Purchased: July, 2010
Agency or Individual: individual
i have interned at several daycares throughout my high school years and all which recommened i return. But i recommened that i try working from home
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Amount: $5.00 per hour babysitting
Posted by: Mom of 5 in Bremen, IN.Purchased: March, 2010
This is for 4-5 kids and usually the teenagers tell me that I am paying well. I even had one say that I always pay too much. I think it depends on the area you are in. I am in Indiana. I think it makes a difference if you are hiring for an evening or for a week... perhaps or adults vs teenagers.
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