How much can I make as a babysitter?

May 29, 2020

On average, parents pay babysitters $17.73 for one child, $20.30 for two children, and $21.49 for three children. Average rates vary widely based on location. In San Francisco, parents pay an hourly rate of $19.74 for one child, while the rate is only $10.95 in Las Vegas. Cost of living and minimum wage laws can influence hourly rates.

A good rule of thumb is this: the fewer your qualifications and years of experience, the lower the rate you can charge. Parents can pay someone who is just starting to babysit less than a professional adult with years of experience and a degree in early childhood education. Use your judgment, but you’re likely in the right ballpark if as an inexperienced babysitter you're getting paid somewhere between $8 and $17 an hour and as an experienced professional between $18 and $32 an hour.

As you can see, the more children you take care of, the higher the hourly cost. If parents have more than two children, a newborn or a child with special needs, the rate also tends to be higher. Ready to find nanny & babysitting jobs near you? Sitter.com matches parents with North America's most trustworthy babysitters. Locate a family using our directory — filter your results based on pay rate, experience, and other criteria. Reach out to potential parents through our platform by instant messaging or by phone call. Narrow down your results and start working with families that stands out. Easy.