How Much Do You Pay for Babysitting?

Babysitting rates are impacted by many factors, including age of kids.

Babysitting rates tend to range from $8 to $12 an hour, according to the website Babysitting Rates. But that can be impacted by where you live, how experienced your sitter is, the ages and number of children, and what your expectations are for the babysitter. If you want an experienced babysitter who is reliable and will actively engage your kids, you'll need to pay a premium. Rates can go as high as $18 an hour.

Where You Live

People in cities are likely to pay $1 to $3 more for babysitters per hour than people in small towns. If you live in a high-income area, such as the East or West Coasts, expect to pay more, say $13 an hour for one child.

Number of Children

If you have more than one child, expect to pay at least $1 more an hour for each extra child. More children means more work and more responsibility for the babysitter.

Ages of Children

If you have infants or very young children, you will need a babysitter who is more experienced. You want someone who can change diapers, feed a baby, recognize if a child is ill and keep him away from potential dangers. Some young teens will watch a baby for $5 an hour. But for an experienced babysitter, expect to pay at least $10 an hour, plus adjustments for higher cost of living or extra kids.

Time of Day

A regular babysitting job, as defined by the website Babysitting Rates, ends by 10 p.m. If you expect the babysitter to stay later, plan on paying an extra $2 per hour for the later hours.

Special Needs

If you have a special needs child, one with physical, mental or emotional disability, you will need to find an experienced babysitter and pay commensurate with the amount of work the babysitter has to invest. This is where some of the $18 an hour babysitting jobs come into play.

References

• Babysitting Rates