What do babysitters go for per hour these days?

JosiPeaches

So DH and I have finally gotten to the point that we feel comfortable leaving DS with someone other than family.  We have found a great babysitter.  A daughter of friends of the family.  Tons of experience and she really loves kids.  On top of that she is just really nice.  Se is 23 or 24, out of college and working but wants to do something for a little extra cash.

So how much should we pay her?  I have no idea.  We are prepared to pay more than the standard going rate if she is as great with DS as what we think she will be.

What do you think?

firsttogo

I would say in the neighborhood of 10.00 per hour. I know that seems like a lot, but she is not 15, and can/will drive to your house, ect.

JosiPeaches

Really ?  That almost sounds like too little.  DH and I were estimating around $20 an hour. 

MrsTeejer

We pay our girls about $12 an hour. I have heard anywhere from $10-15 is normal. I figure, we only have one kid. By the time the sitter gets here and we go out, he's only awake for an hour. So to pay more than that for her to sit and watch TV, play on the computer, talk on the phone all night, is a little too much!!

melaniecl

We pay ours $12 an hour. She is a college student. We could have gotten away with $10, but she is excellent. She loves DS and he loves her! I think anywhere from $10-15 is the going rate...

SweetieP

The teenagers that I've used are usually paid around $10/hour (depending on what is involved). I would start with at least that.  I always ask them what her rate would be.

franciscaz

I give $15 for 2 hours.  We live in small town.

slsbride

We pay our regular daycare provider $10/hour when we use her for after-hours/extra babysitting.

queenbone

Wow, that seems crazy to me!  We have so far only hired jr high girls and we have been home, downstairs with a dinner party, and they have been upstairs keeping everyone's kids occupied.  We offered them minimum wage, and they acted like they had never seen so much money. 

Thank goodness my mom is usually available to babysit!

jen5-03

$8-10 is the rate around here. But I'd also pay a $20 minimum if it was a short period of time.

hope4us

WOW...times have changed.  I remember getting paid $3-5/hr back in HS.  I guess if I needed a sitter now I would probably pay them around $10/hr.  In the meantime, I just have my MIL or dad babysit...they enjoy spending time with their grandson.

Maple_9

I know I am late getting this in but I pay $10/hour. If it is just 1-2 hours I pay a min of $25. It really comes down to what you are comfortable with. My mom always said you pay for what you get.

JosiPeaches

Thanks for your info ladies. Much appreciated!!

Mrs.LisaP

8-12 per hour is the going rate around here depending on age/experience.

Calips

$10-14 is average around here.