Babysitting rates?

[Mandy-Jane]

Does anyone have any idea of the standard rate for babysitting? Is it $10/hour, $15, $20? Or is it whatever you want to make it? Would I be regarded as outrageously tight if I offered $15/hour? Or would I be regarded as excessively extravagant if I offered $20 or $25? Any rough ideas?

Thanks.

[mommyjo2]

I would never pay $15 for a babysitter, and I have 6 kids.
I'm speaking of rates in Denver, CO.
Rates vary based on WHO is babysitting. The 14 year old neighbor, or a certified adult from a service? (Check out nanny websites in the town your story is set in to get a rough idea of those rates.)
What is the sitter expected to do? Watch the kids, or be a "mom" - cleaning, cooking, laundry too?
Is it one night or every day/nanny type? Are the kids older, or babies with feeding and diapers?
I paid my nanny, a 19 yr. old part time college student, $400/week (5 days). I had a newborn, a 2 yr. old, and a 3 yr. old at home all day, and then a school age son (7) for 1 hour per day (4pm-5pm).
When I hired the 14 yr. old from church to watch the kids for a movie night, I paid her $7.50 for 5 kids (there were diapers, but they were also asleep for a good part of the time.)
Another good resource is to check out the Craigslist ads for the target city. Rates do vary geographically - $7.50/hr. where I am now is outrageously high.
Pretty much, whenever I ask a teenager how much, they don't have a clue either. I usually let their mom know $5/hr, $30 for the evening, or whatever so I know it's okay. Also, keep in mind if the sitter will provide transportation or will have to be picked up and dropped off.

[Kentuk]

It depends on the babysitter and degree of responsibility needed. If I were a teenager I'd jump at ten bucks an hour but adult pay would depend on the local cost of living.

[Little Red Barn]

$15.00 is very generous. My daughter accepts $10.00. Now if it's New Years Eve..or something along those lines, thats different. kimmi

[karenmary]

Does anyone have any idea of the standard rate for babysitting? Is it $10/hour, $15, $20? Or is it whatever you want to make it? Would I be regarded as outrageously tight if I offered $15/hour? Or would I be regarded as excessively extravagant if I offered $20 or $25? Any rough ideas?

Thanks.

I'm in Fairfield County, CT. For a college age sitter, I pay $10/hour, unless they watch all three of my kids. Then it bumps up to $15 b/c I want them to come back when I need them most!

[dahmnait]

I've always taken the minimum wage for the area and adjusted it up or down a couple of bucks depending upon age of the babysitter, number of kids, age of the kids, and babysitting situation. That is assuming that the babysitter does not have a set rate in place.

[AbbyJoy]

My 17-year-old friend makes $10/hour for babysitting/helping a couple of little boys with homework. I think that's a pretty standard rate.

[Mom'sWrite]

Straight occassional babysitting gets $10/hour for three kids. Basically the sitter is there to make sure they don't run with scissors, watch porn or short sheet our bed. I have paid a full time nanny $12/hour but her responsibilities included cooking, cleaning up after the tremendously untidy threesome and kid schlepping. Most of the sitters I've used have been happy estatic to receive $10/hr and I even had one say that was too much (the little dear.)

[Mandy-Jane]

Thanks everyone. From what you say, I think we're overpaying ours!