How Much You Should Pay a Babysitter in NYC

Finding the right babysitter is essential for parents in New York City, but determining how much to pay can be a challenge. Factors like experience, location, and additional services can influence the hourly rate. In this guide, we’ll explore the average rates for babysitters in NYC and provide tips for negotiating a fair price.

Determine the Local Hourly Rate

Babysitters in NYC generally have established rates, which may vary slightly by borough. Before you offer a specific rate to a babysitter, you should:

  • Research typical rates: Check average babysitting rates online or ask other local parents for insight.
  • Set realistic expectations: Based on UrbanSitter’s latest data, the average rate in NYC is $22.70/hr for 1 child and $25.64/hr for 2 children.
  • Compare rates: Determine if the babysitter’s rate is fair and competitive. The hourly rate generally increases for each additional child.

Here is a comparison of average babysitting rates nationally versus in NYC:

Number of Children National Average NYC Average
1 Child $23.61/hr $26.57/hr
2 Children $22.57/hr  $25.64/hr

Expect to Pay More for Experience

Experienced babysitters in NYC often command higher rates due to their proven track record, experience, and special certifications, such as infant CPR. Here’s how to assess and justify paying more for an experienced babysitter:

  • Check references: Request a list of references from the babysitter and take the time to verify them. This helps ensure their credibility and reliability.
  • Review certifications: Look for relevant certifications that enhance their ability to provide high-quality care, like CPR and first aid.
  • Compare experience levels: Consider the specific needs of your situation. While highly experienced babysitters (10-15 years) may charge more, a sitter with 5 years of experience might be sufficient, especially for less demanding jobs like evening babysitting, where your child will mostly be asleep.

Consider Additional Responsibilities

Babysitters in NYC typically charge an hourly rate for basic services, but you may need to offer a higher rate for additional responsibilities:

  • Household tasks: Light housekeeping, meal preparation, and running errands can add $3-$5/hr to the base rate.
  • Special situations: Around-the-clock care or extended periods when parents are out of town may require a negotiated overnight babysitter rate or an additional $50-$100 per day.
  • Additional Children: Caring for additional children typically increases the hourly rate by $2-$5 per child.
  • Flexible child care:  Accommodating flexible care schedules, including weekends and late nights, might require a higher rate to account for the sitter’s availability.
  • Age ranges: Babysitters experienced with a broad range of ages, from infants to teenagers, might charge more due to the specialized care required for different age groups.

Account for the Cost of Living

NYC is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and the cost of living here is significantly higher compared to other places. This higher cost of living impacts hourly wages for many services, including babysitting. Keep this in mind when determining a fair rate for babysitting in NYC. You may also want to compare NYC’s rates to other expensive cities like San Francisco to get a broader perspective.

Legal and Fair Payment Practices

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the minimum wage in NYC is higher than both the state and federal minimum wage, so make sure you are paying the minimum wage for your area.  This higher rate impacts New York City, Long Island, and Westchester. Also, consider offering additional compensation for things like transportation money, especially if the babysitter travels a long distance to get to your home. 

Tips and Bonuses 

After finding a trusted NYC babysitter 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. Additionally, consider offering benefits such as health insurance or vacation time if the babysitting arrangement becomes long-term and more akin to a nanny position.

Related: Babysitter Pay Calculator

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

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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 to Have Difficult Conversations with your Babysitter

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There are few things more important than ensuring that your children are cared for by a compassionate, devoted babysitter when you must be away from the house. Even when you hire a trusted babysitter, there is always a possibility that you will learn about serious issues with the babysitter that must be effectively and quickly addressed. If you need to have a difficult conversation with your babysitter, let these steps based on tips we’ve heard from parents guide you through this stressful experience.

Gather Supporting Evidence

Regardless of the situation that you have become aware of, you should have fact-based evidence to support your concerns. The conversation must focus on what needs to be done about the problem. However, when you are claiming assumptions that are not fact-based, the conversation can easily turn into a debate about what happened and if your concerns are founded. When you present evidence, your conversation can be more productive.

Create a Private, Quiet Environment

Difficult conversations can be heated, and they may involve sensitive topics. You and your babysitter may communicate more openly and honestly when you converse in a quiet environment that is free of interruptions. The important element of privacy gives your babysitter the opportunity to communicate concerns that they may not want other people to know about. However, meeting in a neutral, public environment may be a better idea for some conversations.

Determine Your Desired Outcome

Depending on the circumstances, you may need to fire your babysitter. Perhaps you need the babysitter to provide you with his or her side of an event before you can determine how you should proceed. Before starting a difficult conversation with your child’s caregiver, determine what your goals are for the conversation. By doing so, you can tailor your approach based on the desired outcome.

Clearly State Your Case

Choose the right time to have a conversation. In some cases, you may feel inclined to broach the subject before or after the babysitter’s next scheduled time with your children. An alternative is to schedule a meeting with your babysitter. Avoid skirting around the subject. Take a deep breath, and begin stating your facts. Present evidence, if applicable.

Engage Active Listening Skills

Unless the purpose of your conversation is to simply accuse the babysitter and to state that legal action will be taken, you may need your babysitter to explain his or her actions. Perhaps you need your babysitter to adjust the care that is provided to fit your parenting style. In these and many other situations, allow your babysitter time to ask questions and to express concerns or objections. There may be specific reasons why he or she has acted or failed to act in a specific way. By taking the time to thoroughly understand the other side of the issue, you can more effectively reach a resolution.

When you hire a trusted babysitter such as the ones available on UrbanSitter, many issues that may lead to the need for a difficult conversation can be avoided. However, issues can still crop up periodically that require a delicate touch. These steps can help you to prepare for a tough yet productive conversation.

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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7 Reasons to Book a Babysitter This Summer

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Why is summer a great time to book a babysitter? Read on to find out:

 

 1. School’s Out For Summer!

frank-mckenna-127295-unsplashSummer break is here, which means a whole new schedule for the whole family. Make the transition easier for everyone with a summer sitter or nanny to help with the new routine. Part-time, full-time, anytime. We’ve got you covered!

2. Summer Camp, Soccer Games, Swim Lessons…Oh, My!

maarten-van-den-heuvel-105902-unsplashSchool may be out, but the kids’ schedules are busier than ever. Find and book a sitter who can help you manage all of the drop-offs, pickups, and everything in between! *Pro tip: Search for sitters that are willing to drive before you book!

3. “Me-Time”

rawpixel-369784-unsplashSummer break is filled with activities and family fun, but let’s be real, parents…sometimes we need a break. Book a sitter and take a time-out for some quality alone time.

4. Hosting A BBQ or Pool Party

matthieu-joannon-666745-unsplashThe summer is the perfect time to have friends over for a bbq or pool party, but we also know it can be overwhelming trying to entertain and watch the kids. Book a sitter to help keep an eye on the kids while they swim and play. *Pro tip: Search for CPR certified sitters before you book!

5. Summer Fun is Here and So Are Your Errands 

jeshoots-com-462287-unsplashTaking your kids to the grocery store or your hair appointment isn’t usually efficient or time-saving. Book a sitter and get through your to-do list faster this summer.

6. Date Night…or Day!

20180228_URBANSITTER_SHOT_09_0480Take advantage of summer weather and plan the perfect date. A day trip to a winery or dinner and a movie. The possibilities are endless when you unlock your sitter network.

7. It’s Wedding Season

chuttersnap-461238-unsplashHave an upcoming wedding? Kids not on the guest list? Don’t miss out! Your sitter network has wedding season covered.

Whatever your summer childcare needs, UrbanSitter lets you find and book sitters of people you trust. Unlock your personal network to book babysitters and nannies you’re connected to today!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

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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!

5 Tips from Working Moms on Managing Child Care

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, we’re not talking about the holiday season, but rather the back-to-school season! For many working moms who struggled to cover child care over the summer, sending the kids back to school can be a welcome sigh of relief. But even if you have kid care covered during school hours, you may still have to scramble to cover child care for after school hours or if your little ones are too small to be in school yet.
 

Here are five tips from working moms themselves on how to manage child care—and how to control the back-to-school chaos.

Determine your needs.
No two working mom’s child-care needs are alike. Some may need full-time coverage, while others just need someone to watch their child a few hours sprinkled throughout the week. So go over your schedule as well as your partner’s to decide exactly how much kid care coverage you actually need. By being very specific in determining your needs, you can potentially save yourself a lot of money—and frustration—in the long run.

Find child care that works for you.
Not all child care is created equal. Depending on your child’s age, you may discover that certain types of child care work better for you and your family than others. For example, if you have a baby, you may opt to have an in-home nanny stay with you while you work to avoid exposing your little one to icky germs. As your child gets older, socialization may be what you’re seeking, so you may want to enroll your child in a local day care. And if your kid is school-aged, a part-time sitter may do the trick to cover those extra hours until you’re done working for the day.

Score a flexible schedule.
If you thought working from home meant that you’d never, ever need child-care coverage again, well, think again. Having a flexible schedule does mean that you can creatively cover child care more easily than your in-office colleagues, though. You may find a telecommuting position that allows you to work around your children’s schedules (i.e., early in the morning or late at night) or right smack in the middle of the day—when kids are in school. Other work-at-home-moms (WAHMs) may find that doing a kid swap on certain days helps to take care of child-care coverage issues without costing a pretty penny.

Once you’ve got child-care coverage established, it’s time to start planning how you’ll prep for getting kids ready for back to school.

Do a run through.
If it’s possible, see if you can attend a tour of your child’s school. Point out the different rooms (such as Art or Language Arts) that your child will be going to. If your kid will be going on the bus, you can drive him along the bus route so he can get used to the ride. That way, the new school year won’t seem as scary.

Prepare ahead of time.
Nothing adds to the stress of a back-to-school morning like leaving everything for the morning! So try to get as much done as you can in the days prior and even the night before. Have outfits ironed and ready to wear, and pack lunches and store in the refrigerator. By having most of the prep work done prior, you’ll minimize the stressfulness of the morning and have both you and your kid calm and ready for a fun school year!

 

Jennifer Parris is a Career Writer for FlexJobs, an award-winning service that helps job-seekers find professional opportunities that offer work flexibility, such as telecommuting, freelance, part-time or alternative schedules. To learn more about Jennifer, visit FlexJobs.com or tweet @flexjobs.

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