2023 Babysitting Rates: National Average & by City

babysitter playing pattycake

Wondering what is the going rate for babysitting? You’ve come to the right place! In UrbanSitter’s 12th year of tracking the average babysitting rate across the U.S., we analyzed the tens of thousands of babysitting jobs to provide this handy reference guide for families and babysitters. To find the going rate for babysitting in your city, check the chart and infographic below.

How much do babysitters make?

Generally, average babysitting rates in the U.S. rose significantly in the past year: a 9.7% increase, outpacing inflation at 7.1%. If you’re looking for a sitter, you’ve likely seen higher rates this year with $22.68/hr being the national average hourly rate for babysitting 1 kid and $25.37/hr the hourly rate for babysitting 2 kids.

Average Babysitting Rate by U.S. City

Area/U.S. CityHourly rate for babysitting 1 kidHourly rate for babysitting 2 kids
National $22.68 $25.37
Atlanta, GA $21.14 $24.13
Austin, TX $22.81 $26.28
Boston, MA $21.67 $23.45
Charlotte, NC $17.27 $18.62
Chicago, IL $19.91 $21.44
Cleveland, OH $19.20 $20.00
Colorado Springs, CO $16.27 $17.25
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX $18.82 $19.52
Denver, CO $19.81 $22.07
Detroit, MI $19.73 $22.81
Honolulu, HI $19.99 $23.10
Houston, TX $17.84 $18.77
Las Vegas, NV $19.34 $20.39
Los Angeles, CA $22.74 $25.61
Miami, FL $19.33 $22.80
Minneapolis, MN $18.53 $20.27
Nashville, TN $18.39 $20.07
New York City, NY $22.18 $25.06
Oklahoma City, OK $12.76 $15.85
Orlando, FL $19.51 $22.98
Philadelphia, PA $18.03 $20.78
Phoenix, AZ $17.61 $20.01
Portland, OR $20.94 $24.82
Raleigh/Durham, NC $18.02 $21.26
Reno, NV $23.23 $24.26
Richmond, VA $17.02 $18.00
Sacramento, CA $20.24 $22.44
San Antonio, TX $17.97 $18.16
San Diego, CA $21.58 $24.33
San Francisco, CA $25.24 $28.31
Seattle, WA $24.60 $26.28
Springfield, MO $11.35 $12.00
Washington, DC $20.91 $22.90

Fun facts about 2023 baby sitter rates:

  • The least expensive city for a sitter is in Phoenix at $17.61/hr for 1 child and the most expensive city is San Francisco with a going rate for babysitting of $25.24/hr for 1 child.
  • What is a reasonable price for babysitting per day for 1 kid? For an 8-hour day, prices should range from $140 to $200 depending on your location.
  • The average pet sitter rate is $21.45/hr.
  • The average housekeeper rate is $27.76/hr.
  • The average non-medical senior companion care rate is $22.03/hr.

Key factors when deciding how much to pay a babysitter:

Beyond the average babysitting pay rate, there is a set of other key factors that can help determine what is a reasonable price for babysitting per hour for your child; or if you’re a sitter, how much to charge for babysitting.

  1. Location.
    • Start with the average babysitting rate in your city, then consider your specific neighborhood – are you conveniently located in the city center or in a suburb? For instance, if you live near a university where many babysitters live, babysitter rates will probably be much more affordable than a far away suburb that requires a long commute for sitters.
  2. Job responsibilities.
    • First, consider how many children will the babysitter be caring for. Babysitter rates don’t double or triple, but they will increase a dollar or two with each additional child.
    • Next, ask yourself if there are additional responsibilities such as driving, homework help, meal preparation, laundry, cleaning or walking the family dog. You can expect to pay more for these additions.
  3. Skills and experience.
    • Experienced sitters will certainly charge more than a high school sitter. Sitters with specialized certifications and Early Childhood Education degrees will command a higher rate.
    • You can typically get a feel for the sitter’s experience by asking about how many years they’ve been babysitting and what age groups they’ve worked with (newborn, infant, toddler, preschooler, grade schooler, etc).
  4. Transportation.
    • Some sitters expect parents to cover their cost of transportation to and from the job — either by reimbursing them for mileage or funding a subway or bus card.
    • If your child needs to be driven by the sitter (either in their car or yours), then consider a gas credit card specifically for the sitter’s use.
  5. Additional expenses.
    • Beyond transportation, the sitter may have additional expenses while on the job including meals, babysitting supplies, and children’s activity costs. Decide what you will cover, then factor this in when determining your overall child care budget.
  6. Special needs.
    • If you have a child with a disability, you should also expect to pay a higher babysitting pay rate for someone with qualified experience.

Historic Babysitting Rates

Curious about how babysitter pay rates have changed over time? See our data from 2012-2022:

Babysitting rates 2022
Babysitting rates 2021
Babysitting rates 2020
Babysitting rates 2019
Babysitting rates 2018
Babysitting rates 2017
Babysitting rates 2016
Babysitting rates 2015
Babysitting rates 2014
Babysitting rates 2013
Babysitting rates 2012

How much does a nanny cost?

Generally, nanny hourly rates are higher than babysitter rates. See our post How much does a nanny cost? for the full list of considerations you’ll want to think through when deciding how much to pay a nanny.

Looking for a babysitter or nanny? Join UrbanSitter to browse profiles, sort by pay rate, and book jobs online.

2022 Babysitting Rates & Childcare Costs Study

Wondering what the average 2022 babysitter rates were? The national average was $20.57/hr for 1 child and $23.25/hr for 2 children. Check out the chart and infographic below for the average babysitting rates by U.S. city in 2022.

Area/U.S. CityHourly Rate for 1 ChildHourly Rate for 2 Children
National $20.57 $23.25
Atlanta, GA $18.43 $22.78
Austin, TX $18.62 $21.93
Boston, MA $19.96 $22.82
Chicago, IL $17.62 $19.75
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX $15.84 $21.07
Denver, CO $18.12 $20.67
Houston, TX $18.39 $22.73
Las Vegas, NV $14.75 $19.12
Los Angeles, CA $20.23 $26.24
Minneapolis, MN $18.51 $19.75
Nashville, TN $15.31 $17.16
New York City, NY $23.45 $24.77
Philadelphia, PA $15.40 $21.25
Phoenix, AZ $19.81 $21.15
Portland, OR $18.79 $20.28
Raleigh/Durham, NC $19.94 $20.21
San Antonio, TX $12.70 $15.66
San Diego, CA $17.53 $21.61
San Francisco, CA $23.32 $26.42
Seattle, WA $21.23 $23.57
Washington, DC $19.79 $21.35
Babysitting Rates 2022 Nationally and By City

More fun facts about 2022 caregiver rates:

  • The least expensive city for a sitter is in San Antonio at $12.70/hr for 1 child and the most expensive city is New York City with an average rate of $23.45/hr for 1 child.
  • 40% of nannies nationally make between $30,000 – $50,000 a year.
  • The average pet sitter rate is $16.07/hr and the cost of a dog walk is $18.31.
  • Want a clean home? The average housekeeping rate is $27.83/hr.
  • If you’re in need of a house sitter, 56% pay between $25-50 per day. 

Historic Babysitting Rates

Curious about how babysitting rates have changed over time? See our data from 2012-2021:

Babysitting rates 2021
Babysitting rates 2020
Babysitting rates 2019
Babysitting rates 2018
Babysitting rates 2017
Babysitting rates 2016
Babysitting rates 2015
Babysitting rates 2014
Babysitting rates 2013
Babysitting rates 2012

Looking for child care? Sign up for UrbanSitter to browse babysitter profiles, sort by pay rate, and book jobs online.

2020 Babysitting Rates & Childcare Costs Study

Wondering how much to pay your babysitter in 2020? According to UrbanSitter and their 9th annual child care study of more than 25,000 families across the U.S., the average hourly babysitting rate is $17.73 for one child and $20.30 for two children. Read on for the average babysitting rates in your city, plus more fun facts. 2020-Rates-Infographic

How Much Does Babysitting Cost in 2019

Babysitter

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As you prepare to hire a babysitter, the important question of pricing may be looming in the back of your mind. While this is not a service that you want to cut corners on or skimp on, you also do not want to pay more than you need to for quality childcare services. As you decide how much money to offer your babysitter, keep these important factors in mind.

Factors Influencing Babysitting Rates

Babysitting rates vary dramatically based on several factors. These include the experience of the babysitter and his or her credentials. Consider that a professional nanny with a lengthy list of references may understandably charge more than a teenage babysitter who picks up odd jobs on the weekends. Your location will also play a role in the rate for childcare services. The minimum wage in your area should serve as a starting point when setting a threshold. The demand for babysitters, your need for special services, the number of children who will be cared for, the children’s ages and many other factors all must be taken into consideration.

The Difference Between Full-Time and Part-Time Care

There is a difference in the process of hiring a full-time vs. part-time babysitter. Full-time typically means being salaried with paid time off, holidays, etc, written in a contract, while part-time is normally paid out hourly but with set days/times. So be sure you know the minimum wage laws, but also do your research to know what the average rates in your area are for full-time nannies. If you are looking for one-time or part-time care, a slightly lower hourly rate may be reasonable.
The National Average for 2019

The National Average for 2019

The average hourly rate for one child is $16.75 in the U.S. for 2019. The national average for two children is $19.26 per hour. Additional children will raise the average rate further. Before you decide how much to pay for childcare services, consider asking your friends and neighbors how much they pay for their preferred babysitter. By polling several parents and making adjustments for the various relevant factors, you can better determine how much you should pay for the services that you need.

Many babysitters and nannies have a minimum rate that they are willing to work for. While you should research local rates, you also should ask the individuals whom you are interested in hiring what they charge. Through your research, you can determine if their requested rate is reasonable for your needs and for the area.

How Much You Should Pay a Babysitter in NYC

You cannot put a price tag on the care and well-being of your children. However, when you need to find babysitters in NYC for a one-time service or to fill an on-going need, you understandably do not want to pay more than necessary for quality care. If you are wondering how much to pay the best babysitters in the local area, focus on these tips.

Determine the Local Hourly Rate

Babysitters in NYC generally have established rates, and these rates may vary slightly by borough. Before you offer a specific rate to a babysitter, you should research the typical range of hourly rates in your community. One way to do this is to ask other parents for insight or check average babysitting rates online. This research will help you to set realistic expectations. Typically the average is $17.20/hr for 1 child, $20.85/hr for 2 children. Many babysitters will tell you what they typically charge, but you can rely on your research to determine if their rate is fair and competitive. The hourly rate generally will increase for each additional child.

Expect to Pay More for Experience

Experienced babysitters with a long list of satisfied clients may charge a higher rate. The best babysitters in the local area may also have special certifications, such as an infant CPR certification. Before you pay more for experience, ask the babysitter for a list of references. Spend time verifying references and inquiring about the rates that those individuals pay. While many parents would prefer to hire an experienced babysitter, you may not need or want to pay a higher rate for a babysitter with 15 years of experience versus 5 years of experience, especially for evening jobs where your child will be asleep most of the time.

Consider the Need for Special Services

Babysitters in NYC charge an hourly rate for typical services. This may include basic care in the home as well as meal prep and other basic needs. If your babysitter will be in your home regularly or for an extended period of time, you may ask him or her to do light housekeeping, to prepare meals for the whole family, to run errands with your children and to complete other general household tasks like pet care. You should offer a higher rate based on the types of additional services you need the individual to perform. Some people hire a babysitter to provide around-the-clock care, such as if the parents will be out of town for a few days. In these special situations, you may negotiate a special rate that provides reasonable compensation for the babysitter’s time and effort.

After you have found a trusted babysitter who your children love, you may consider offering a slightly higher rate or tip regularly on jobs. This shows your appreciation and may entice the babysitter to be more readily available when an urgent need arises.

Looking for a babysitter or nanny? Join UrbanSitter to browse profiles, sort by pay rate, and book jobs online.

How Much To Pay Your Babysitter in 2018 – Babysitting Rates

2018 Babysitting Rates Infographic by UrbanSitter

Deciding how much to pay your babysitter or nanny? According to UrbanSitter’s 2018 child care study of more than 20,000 families across the country, the average hourly babysitting rate is $16.43 for one child. Read on for babysitting rates in your city and more interesting facts:

  • San Francisco ranks as the most expensive city to hire a babysitter at $17.34/hour for one child. Phoenix is home to the least expensive babysitters in the nation: $11.83/hour for one child.
  • 60% of parents surveyed said they’ll spend over $1,000 on babysitters this year. 40% of parents surveyed will spend over $30,000 a year for their nanny.
  • Date nights are the number one reason that parents hire sitters.
  • 55% of parents surveyed will tip their babysitter, while 83% will offer extra perks like TV and free food.

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UrbanSitter’s 2017 Holiday Tipping Guide & New Year’s Eve Babysitting Rates

Ever wonder how much others tip around the holidays? UrbanSitter asked families to share how they handle holiday tipping – from babysitters and nannies to dog walkers and mail carriers. Here are a few highlights:

  • $50-$100 cash or gift card is the popular holiday tip for babysitters.
  • One week’s pay is what most families tip their nannies.
  • $15-$25 cash is the standard holiday tip for dog walkers.

With New Year’s Eve around the corner, many parents are wondering how to secure a babysitter for the big night. The answer according to our survey: pay 20% more than usual. Check the map below for average New Year’s Eve babysitting hourly rates in your area.

  • $17.88 per hour is the national average New Year’s Eve babysitting rate for 1 child. In New York City, it’s $18.81 per hour.
  • Free cab rides and dinner are among the “extras” parents use to entice sitters into taking the job.
  • 46% of parents surveyed tip extra just because it’s New Year’s Eve.

Web

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2017 Babysitting Rates: How much should you pay your babysitter?

We surveyed over 20,000 families from all across the country to get the scoop on what parents are willing to pay for—and what they’re willing to pay extra for—when it comes to childcare in 2017!

  • San Francisco came in as the most expensive city for babysitters once again in 2017, with $17.34/hour for one child as the average rate. While Denver has the least expensive babysitters in the nation, at $12.22/hour for one child, on average.
  • 48% of parents said they spend over $1,000 a year on childcare.
  • Over 90% of parents say they require references, either some or all of the time, when hiring a new sitter.
  • Almost 1/3 of parents hire a sitter at least once a week. While only 5% say they hire a sitter once a year or less.

 

 

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2015 Babysitting & Nanny Rates Survey

Ever wonder how much other families pay their babysitter or nanny? UrbanSitter gathered the answer from over 10,000 families to find out average babysitting rates in the US. Take look and see what the going rate is for a babysitter in your area!

2015 National Childcare Rates Inforgraphic

 Find great babysitters at UrbanSitter.com. Sign up for free now!

How much to pay the babysitter for New Year’s Eve

cheers_icon If you have New Year’s Eve plans this year, you’re probably wondering how you’re ever going to find a babysitter–and once you find one, how much should you pay for New Year’s Eve?

Step 1: Finding a sitter for available on New Year’s Eve

Chances are the college-aged sitter you normally rely on already has plans. If that’s the case, try logging on to UrbanSitter and doing a search for sitters available on December 31st, or post a job. Send a few booking requests out and see if you get any takers. Before you do, think about the best pay rate you’re willing to offer.

Step 2: Deciding how much to pay a sitter on New Year’s Eve

Most parents expect to pay a premium to lock in a sitter on New Year’s Eve, but how much is enough? According to our recent survey:
30% expect to pay a babysitter their normal rate
53% expect to pay 1.5 times the normal rate
15% expect to pay 2 times the normal rate

Step 3: Lock it in

So you’re willing to pay top dollar, but what else can you do to ensure you’ll score a sitter? Offer to pay her cab ride home, delicious takeout, and if you’re not getting back until late, work out an overnight stay fee. She’ll be delighted to crash on your couch and earn an extra buck.

Enjoy the big night and Happy New Year!

Search for babysitters available on New Year’s Eve at UrbanSitter.com.