What Is the Going Rate for Babysitting Right Now?

Whether you need a trustworthy babysitter for a date night, special occasions, or for long-term work, you are probably wondering, “What is the going rate for babysitting?”

The national average hourly rate for babysitting in the United States is $18.36 for one child. However, the babysitting rate will change depending on where you live, the number of children you have, your children’s ages, how much experience your babysitter has, and their job responsibilities.

What Is the Going Rate for Babysitting?

Taking some time to consider carefully the following questions will make sure that your expectations are clear and that you are prepared to pay your sitter a competitive wage for the services you are requesting.  – Are you planning to hire a teenager or an adult? – Will the sitter have a set schedule, or are your needs more sporadic? – Do you need someone to provide childcare early in the morning, late at night, or overnight?

A Babysitter’s Age and Experience Affects Rates

An older babysitter is likely to have more experience with children than a younger teenager. There is nothing wrong with hiring a teenage babysitter, especially if they are friends of the family. However, your particular circumstances might call for highly recommended babysitters with childcare certifications.

Your Location Affects Babysitting Rates

The average rate of $18.36 is not the norm everywhere. You are likely to pay a higher rate if you live in a big city with a higher living cost. On the other hand, those in rural areas will probably pay a lower hourly rate for babysitting services.

The Number and Age of Your Children Affect Rates

The rate you can expect to pay will change depending on the number of children you have. Caring for multiple children is a much bigger job than caring for just one child. In addition, your children’s ages will also affect the price. If you have multiple young children, they will require your babysitter to perform more work during their time babysitting.

Paying Young Babysitters

Many young babysitters fall into the trap of accepting less pay than they should because they have no experience working. It is easy to agree to a lump sum that equals less than the federal minimum wage.

Babysitters With Additional Duties Cost More

Babysitters will often take care of your home while they care for your children. However, you and your sitter need to be open and honest about your needs and your babysitter’s capabilities when going over rates and expectations.

Overnight Babysitting Jobs Cost More

Plenty of parents work jobs that do not subscribe to the conventional 9 to 5 schedule. Single parents often work more than one job, and that requires them to be gone long hours.

Overnight Babysitting Jobs Cost More

Plenty of parents work jobs that do not subscribe to the conventional 9 to 5 schedule. Single parents often work more than one job, and that requires them to be gone long hours.

Depending on your financial situation and childcare needs, babysitting is often a great choice for parents who need short-term help while away from home.

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