Babysitter Pay Calculator

babysitter pay calculator

Whether you’re a family researching how much to pay or a babysitter deciding how much to charge, look no further than our babysitter pay calculator. Together, we’ll dive into the many factors you’ll want to consider when calculating a fair babysitting rate, including location, responsibilities, experience, and the duration of care provided.

Key factors that impact babysitter rates

When calculating babysitting rates, it’s important to consider a range of factors. 

After establishing a base rate using the chart of average babysitting rates by city below, the key factors to take into account typically include:

  • Years of experience – More experienced babysitters charge more
  • Number of children – Add $1-$3 per hour per additional child
  • Job responsibilities – Sitters often charge more for extras like driving kids or cleaning
  • Duration of care – Sitters may charge less if guaranteed a certain minimum of hours of work each month 
  • Transportation costs – If the babysitter must commute, factor in mileage or transit costs
  • Special qualifications – Experience with special needs commands a higher rate

Average Babysitting Rate by U.S. City

Based on UrbanSitter’s latest data, the average babysitting rate for 1 child nationwide is $22.03/hr. While the average hourly for 2 children is $25.37/hr. Depending on the arrangement, a babysitter may be paid hourly, weekly, or bi-weekly. To give you an idea of the average rates across the United States, here is a breakdown of some major cities:

Area/U.S. City Hourly rate for babysitting 1 kid Hourly 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

RelatedThe Cost of After School Child Care

babysitting calculator rate

Calculating overnight babysitting rates

    Overnight babysitting rates typically differ from regular hourly rates. Instead of an hourly rate, overnight rates are usually charged as a flat fee for the entire stay. To determine a fair overnight babysitting rate, follow these steps:

    1. Establish a base rate: Start by determining your standard hourly babysitting rate, which you would use for daytime or evening babysitting. 

    2. Define the time frame: Specify the start and end times for the overnight babysitting job. Overnight care can vary significantly in duration, so having clear time boundaries is essential.

    3. Consider additional responsibilities: Generally, this includes preparing nighttime meals, managing bedtime routines, or attending to the child if they wake up at night.

    4. Hourly rate adjustment: Depending on your area and the specific demands of overnight care, you might choose to adjust the hourly rate. Some families opt for a slightly higher hourly rate during overnight hours to compensate for the caregiver’s extended availability.

    5. Negotiate and communicate: Engage openly and transparently. Discuss the adjusted rate for overnight care and ensure both parties are comfortable with the arrangement.

    6. Consider a flat rate: Alternatively, you may agree on a flat rate for the entire overnight period, which many families prefer for simplicity. The average flat rate for overnight babysitting is $275.

    Tips for negotiating fair compensation 

    Overall, negotiating babysitter compensation can be a delicate but crucial process to ensure both parties are satisfied. Here are some valuable tips to help you navigate this discussion:

    • Research local rates
    • Consider the babysitter’s experience
    • Be transparent about expectations
    • Discuss additional benefits

    In conclusion, determining fair babysitting rates is a crucial step for both families and babysitters. Factors like location, experience, and responsibilities all play a role in the final rate. Remember to research local babysitting rates, be transparent in your negotiations, and consider additional benefits to ensure a mutually satisfying arrangement. 

    With UrbanSitter’s babysitter pay calculator, you can navigate this process with ease and provide top-notch care for your child while compensating your babysitter fairly. Your stress-free babysitting experience is just a click away! Find child care near you now with UrbanSitter.

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    Babysitting Rates – 2023 Average Rates by US 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. City Hourly rate for babysitting 1 kid Hourly 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

      • The least expensive city for a sitter is 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.
      • The national average babysitting rate for 3 kids is $27.70/hr.

      • What is a reasonable price for paying a babysitter per day for 1 kid? For an 8-hour day, prices should range from $140 to $200, depending on your location.
      • Wondering how much to pay overnight babysitters? Rates vary based on location, experience, responsibilities, and the number of children, but generally, rates can range from $150 to $300 or more.
      • What is a good babysitting rate for a teenager? A typical range is around $8 to $15 per hour. However, in some areas, rates might be higher due to the cost of living.

      Flat rates

      Some babysitters are open to being paid a flat rate, especially when it comes to overnight or multi-day jobs. Whether you’re wondering how much to pay a babysitter for 8 hours, calculating overnight babysitting rates, or how much to pay a babysitter for weekend care, we’ve got the average going rates:

      8 hours

      Overnight

      24 hours

      Weekend

      5 days

      $180

      $275

      $500

      $1,000

      $2,500

      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.
        1.  

        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.

        Tried, true and trusted babysitters

        Find affordable child care for all ages at UrbanSitter.

        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.

        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

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