I have a 3 year old daughter (almost 4). We don’t have a steady babysitter. But once in a while we need a babysitter for a few hours here and there. There are a handful of people we call. One is a 28 year old stay at home mom of three, one is a 20 year old college student, and one is a 17 year old high school student. How much should we pay per hour, and should we pay each of them different rates?
By: kathrynccu
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By: kathrynccu
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3 comments
Comment by terbear on October 16, 2009 at 9:03 pm
When I was babysitting, I told families $3/hr for one child and $5/hr for two but almost always got paid at least $5/hr. I have been told that depending on location, experience, and certifications (Lifesaving classes, parents themselves…) it can be more. I do know that I very rarely resort to a paid babysitter, usually I do return favors, such as house-sit and dog-sit for a weekend getaway for the woman I work with who occasionally takes my son, or trading weekend nights with another single mom (two or three a year each). One thing though, if you are paying too much it will be hard to back it down from there the next time. I think that for the 17 yr old 6-7/hr sounds about right, 7-8 for the college student and maybe the trade-off night with the mom? Up to you! Good luck! — btw, I live in MI so maybe that affects the going rate for babysitters– but I know a girl (age 22 college student) who nannies a family of 3 boys aged 5-10 all summer long for 18/hour plus gas and their day trips.
Comment by єℓιzα©™ on October 18, 2009 at 3:01 am
Well I am 18, and I babysit, and I get $15 per hour, unless I stay overnight, in which case I get a flat rate of $100.
You should not pay them differently, they are doing the same job.
Between $12-$16 an hour is about standard. Not only are they looking after your child, they are giving up their own time.
Comment by Alexis :] on October 18, 2009 at 4:28 am
Usually the babysitter has a set price themself, but if it is you who is deciding what to pay, then there are a few factors to look at.
For example, does your daughter keep herself busy, playing with toys, Tv, etc? Or is she alot to handle?
On average though, I would say somewhere between 5-10 dollars per hour, depending on the childs behavior report, etc.
Hope this helps.
Oh yah, and the other part, no, you shouldn’t pay different rates for the same job just because of age.
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