Babysitter Rates - How Much is Acceptable?

The babysitter rate of pay varies depending on a few factors. For example, the number of children that will be cared for by the babysitter is one very important factor in determining the acceptable pay rate.

In addition, the ages of the children will also weigh heavily on the price you will have to pay a sitter. For example, a 10 year old that requires limited supervision will cost less per hour than a 2 year old with special needs.

Where you live is another factor that should be considered when you are determining an acceptable babysitter rate of pay. For example, in larger cities it is considered the norm to pay between $7-10 an hour.

In smaller cities you can expect to pay between $4-8 an hour for one child. You can better estimate the hourly rate for a babysitter by the cost of living in your area.

Typically, you can expect to pay an additional $1-2 an hour for each additional child. Keep in mind, the amount of experience an individual has with babysitting will also increase the cost per hour. Such as with a nanny that has been sitting for 15 years, you will spend at least twice as much then if you hired a high school girl that babysits after school and on the weekends to earn spending money.

The final weighing factor in the babysitter rate of pay is the time of day that you need the babysitter. Normally, you will pay more for a sitter in the late evening than you would during usual working hours. For example, if you need your sitter for an 11p-7a shift you should pay about $2 hours more per hour than if you needed a sitter for a 9a-5p shift.

Of course, if the going rate per hour for a sitter in your area is $8 and you only make $10 an hour, you can't possibly pay the sitter $8. You will need to discuss with your sitter the number of hours you will need their services and then, together you will need to agree on a feasible babysitter rate.

It will need to be something that you feel comfortable with as well as the sitter. Do not feel obligated to pay the sitter the going rate. In most cases a sitter will work with you as long as the relationship will be long term.