Babysitter Rates - Going Rate for Babysitters

So you've finally found the perfect babysitter but have no idea what to pay them and what the going rate for babysitting is. This is actually a common dilemma for parents. They want to pay a fair babysitting rate but they also don't want to overpay the babysitter. Fortunately there are a number of things that may be considered that should help you determine a babysitter rate based on your unique situation.

The average babysitter rate in 2009 is around $10-$11 per hour but babysitting wages can vary anywhere from $5 per hour all the way up to $18 per hour or more! The reason for such a range is due to three main determining factors: location, experience, and the number of children requiring care:

Location

Your location does play a role in determining what to pay a babysitter. Normally if you live in a
large city like New York or Chicago where the cost of living is higher, babysitter rates are also typically higher when compared to smaller cities towns. Babysitting is a job like any other so babysitter rates will be affected by the location you are currently living in.

Babysitting Experience

How much experience a babysitter has is one of the most important factors in determining a babysitter rate. A teenager with little or no experience would normally earn less than an experienced adult. All other factors aside, teenagers are often happy to babysit for $5 or $6 per hour whereas an adult with a number of years experience would usually ask for least $10 per hour. It all depends on your childcare requirements and the type of babysitter you are most comfortable with.

Number of Children

Generally, the more children you have requiring a babysitter, the more effort it's going to be for a babysitter and the more money you should consider paying them. What additional wages should you pay for looking after more than one child? Again it can vary but usually around $1 or $2 per additional child is the average.

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