Babysitting rates can vary a lot from city to city, so for the past 15 years UrbanSitter has tracked child care cost trends and analyzed tens of thousands of babysitting jobs to bring you a comprehensive view of what families pay. Below, you’ll find average babysitting rates by city for 30+ U.S. cities, plus national averages for one child and two children in 2026.
Key takeaways:
- National average (1 child): $26.24/hr
- National average (2 kids): $29.87/hr
- Top 3 highest-cost cities: San Francisco ($29.63/hr), Seattle ($27.70/hr), Honolulu ($27.22/hr)
- Top 3 lowest-cost cities: San Antonio ($18.21/hr), Dallas/Ft. Worth ($19.25/hr), Columbus ($19.98/hr)
- Source: UrbanSitter booking data. Last updated January 2026.
How much do babysitters make?
Average babysitting rates in the U.S. rose in the past year by 4.9%, dramatically outpacing inflation (3%). If you’re looking for a sitter in 2026, you can expect to pay anywhere from $19 to $29 per hour depending on your location with $26.24 per hour being the average nationwide.
Average Babysitting Rate by U.S. City
30 of 30 cities shown
|
U.S. City |
Hourly rate for babysitting 1 kid |
Hourly rate for babysitting 2 kids |
|
$20.78 |
$23.74 |
|
|
$23.39 |
$27.58 |
|
|
$25.52 |
$27.78 |
|
|
$23.56 |
$28.67 |
|
|
$22.21 |
$25.83 |
|
|
$19.98 |
$20.71 |
|
|
$19.25 |
$22.58 |
|
|
$24.05 |
$26.60 |
|
|
$27.22 |
$29.38 |
|
|
$21.69 |
$23.68 |
|
|
$21.16 |
$23.08 |
|
|
$26.11 |
$29.22 |
|
|
$21.15 |
$26.56 |
|
|
$21.35 |
$23.46 |
|
|
$23.43 |
$24.53 |
|
|
$26.03 |
$28.77 |
|
|
$25.38 |
$26.52 |
|
|
$21.68 |
$23.00 |
|
|
$20.10 |
$21.00 |
|
|
$20.59 |
$23.63 |
|
|
$23.98 |
$27.07 |
|
|
$22.23 |
$24.29 |
|
|
$23.90 |
$30.50 |
|
|
$22.79 |
$24.32 |
|
|
$24.39 |
$27.06 |
|
|
$29.63 |
$33.70 |
|
|
$27.70 |
$30.79 |
|
|
$18.21 |
$21.94 |
|
|
$21.26 |
$25.58 |
|
|
$23.95 |
$26.01 |
Frequently asked questions about babysitting rates
Babysitting rates depend on where you live, the number of kids, and the sitter’s experience. Based on UrbanSitter booking data, the national average babysitting rate is $26.24 per hour for one child and $29.87 per hour for two children in 2026. Want a quick estimate for your area? Try our babysitter pay calculator.
A fair babysitting rate for two kids typically runs a few dollars more per hour than one child. In 2026, the national average is $29.87/hour for two children, but rates vary widely by city.
Babysitter rates usually don’t double with each additional child, but they do increase. A common approach is to start with the average babysitting rate in your city for one child, then add a few dollars per hour for each additional child depending on ages and responsibilities.
Often, yes. Caring for infants and toddlers can require more hands-on attention (and sometimes additional experience), so families may pay a higher hourly babysitting rate, especially for newborn care, multiple young children, or more complex routines.
Daily pay depends on the hourly rate in your city and how many hours you need. For an 8-hour day, the cost is typically the hourly babysitting rate × 8. Using common city averages, that often lands around $145 to $240 per day, depending on location.
Overnight babysitting rates vary based on location, experience, responsibilities, and the number of children. In many areas, families pay a flat overnight amount (or an hourly rate while kids are awake plus a flat fee for sleeping hours). A typical range is $200 to $325. For more detail on pricing and common pay structures, see our guide to overnight babysitter rates and tips.
Teen babysitter rates are usually lower than experienced adult sitters, but they still vary by city and responsibilities. A typical range is $8.50 to $17 per hour, though some higher cost-of-living areas may be above that.
Nanny hourly rates are generally higher than babysitter rates because nanny roles often include more hours, more responsibilities, and more consistent schedules. For a full breakdown of typical nanny rates and the factors that affect pricing, see how much a nanny costs.
UrbanSitter’s annual study calculates average babysitting rates are based on hourly pay rates from real UrbanSitter babysitting bookings. We’ve tracked child care cost trends for 15 years by analyzing tens of thousands of babysitting jobs to provide a comprehensive view of what families pay in each metro area.
Methodology
These babysitting rates reflect average hourly pay from UrbanSitter bookings and are updated annually. For the past 15 years, we’ve tracked child care cost trends by analyzing tens of thousands of babysitting jobs each year to provide a comprehensive view of what families pay. City rates shown are based on the metro area listed and are reported for one child and two children.
How to cite: UrbanSitter. “Babysitting Rates by City (2026).” UrbanSitter Babysitting Rates. Last updated January, 2026.
Fun facts
- The least expensive city for a sitter is San Antonio at $18.21/hr for 1 child.
- The most expensive city is San Francisco with a going rate for babysitting of $29.63/hr for 1 child.
- The national average babysitting rate for 3 kids is $32.33/hr.
Pay rates for other at-home care providers
|
Type of Care |
Hourly Rate |
|
Pet care |
$24.91/hr |
|
Senior care |
$24.26/hr |
|
Household services |
$31.10/hr |
Flat rates for babysitting
Some babysitters are open to being paid a flat rate, especially for overnight or multi-day jobs. Whether you’re calculating overnight babysitting rates, or wondering how much to pay a babysitter for weekend care, we’ve got the average going rates:
|
Daily |
Overnight |
24 hours |
Weekend |
5 days |
|
$115 |
$285 |
$525 |
$1,050 |
$2,600 |
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.
- 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. - 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, household tasks, laundry, cleaning or walking the family dog. You can expect to pay more for these additions.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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. - Specialized 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.
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Babysitting Rate Trends
Babysitting rates in the United States have risen steadily over the past decade, driven by inflation, growing demand for child care, and increased recognition of the skill and responsibility involved in caregiving. In 2026, the national average reached $26.24 per hour for one child, a 4.9% increase from the prior year — well above the 3% general inflation rate.
Here is how national average hourly babysitting rates for one child have trended over the past several years:
| Year | Avg. Rate (1 Child) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $26.24 | +4.9% |
| 2025 | $25.01 | +5.4% |
| 2024 | $23.73 | +7.1% |
| 2023 | $22.15 | +8.6% |
| 2022 | $20.40 | +11.5% |
| 2021 | $18.30 | +6.4% |
| 2020 | $17.20 | +3.0% |
Source: UrbanSitter annual babysitting rate surveys, 2020–2026.
The sharpest increases came during 2022–2023, when post-pandemic demand for child care surged and the broader labor market tightened. While rate growth has moderated in recent years, babysitting costs continue to outpace general inflation, reflecting the essential nature of quality child care.
