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May 2011 Moms
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What's the going rate for babysitters?

mybobofomybobofo member
in May 2011 Moms

How much do you pay where you live? 

We won't be doing infant day care, but we will need a sitter probably once or twice a week.  I'm thinking we'll hit up the local college's education students and ask our friends' kids, but I have no idea how to budget this.  

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Re: What's the going rate for babysitters?

  • caranicholecaranichole member
    Definitely depends on where you live. I live in MA and from what I hear (don't have kids quite yet) the going rate is anywhere from $12+/hr depending on experience.
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  • EJensifyEJensify

    I love our sitter.  We only use her on occasion (like two or three times a year) but she is the sweetest little thing.  She comes over with a bag of activities and snacks for the kids even though she's watching them in our house. . .she likes to keep them occupied and having fun.  It's not a "just sit and watch TV until I heat up your spaghettios" situation, she is fantastic.

    When it is just DD (5), I pay her $15/hr and tip her 20%. When she has SD (8) and SS (7) in addition to DD, we give her $25/hr with 20% tip. 

    I tend to lean toward a higher rate for infants and toddlers who aren't potty trained & can't feed themselves, too. Before DD was potty trained we gave her $20/hr just for her.  As they get easier, we'll lower the pay accordingly. 

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  • CallidryasCallidryas member
    I would go with a minimum of $7.25 (FL Min wage) and then go up from there. Are they experienced? Have FL certification? Also, factor in what you expect from them (are you asking them to do feedings, bathing, etc.).  
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  • andigurlandigurl
    I think the age of the child makes a difference when considering how much to pay.  For infants, the going rate around here is $14 an hour (per baby).  For older babies and children  (6 months +) I think it's about $10-12 per hour.
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  • DHuynh115DHuynh115
    Me and One of my closest friends are nannies and she is also a babysitter. For nannying I currently take $12 an hour but only bc i love the lil man i nanny for...im gonna miss him so much when i stop watching him in a week. I would say the going rate starts at $12/hour and goes up from there based on how many kids you have. My friend usually gets (starting) $15 an hour. You are paying for experience. Better to know your children are in safe hands for double the price then wondering if they are ok with a 15 or 18 year old.
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  • kammmmaykammmmay member
    imageEJensify:

    I love our sitter.  We only use her on occasion (like two or three times a year) but she is the sweetest little thing.  She comes over with a bag of activities and snacks for the kids even though she's watching them in our house. . .she likes to keep them occupied and having fun.  It's not a "just sit and watch TV until I heat up your spaghettios" situation, she is fantastic.

    When it is just DD (5), I pay her $15/hr and tip her 20%. When she has SD (8) and SS (7) in addition to DD, we give her $25/hr with 20% tip. 

    I tend to lean toward a higher rate for infants and toddlers who aren't potty trained & can't feed themselves, too. Before DD was potty trained we gave her $20/hr just for her.  As they get easier, we'll lower the pay accordingly. 

    Can I come be your babysitter? She makes more than I do.

    When I was a nanny 5 years ago, I was making 10 bucks an hour for a decently wealthy family. Most other people I babysat for would pay be 8-10 bucks for 2-5 kids. I will probably pay my 15 year old sister 10 bucks an hour to watch my child when I need to. 

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  • mrbear83mrbear83 member
    thank you for posting - glad to have a reference!
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  • 00tedsgirl00tedsgirl
    The cheapest around here is $10/hour and that does not include any driving, feeding, cleaning, activities, experience or special skills.  We don't do babysitters because it's so cost prohibitive.  When my parents can't watch DS, I have friends I can trade sitting services with.
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  • heysupnatalieheysupnatalie member
    Damn I think I grew up in the wrong time....
    I used to make $5 an hour when I would babysit! So unfair! Now these kids get to make $10+ mannnnnn!! I feel jipped!!!
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  • jeffraejeffrae member
    In seattle it is around $10 - $15/hour.
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