How much would you pay a babysitter?

Question

I babysit 2.5 year old twins (1 boy, 1 girl). I don't have previous paid babysitting experience, but I have done a LOT of volunteer work with kids. Also, I do some light cooking and housecleaning as part of babysitting. I'm making slightly more than minimum wage, but I feel like I am being grossly underpaid. What would you pay?

Answer 1

Ok well my minimum wage is like 6 dollars(I live in Iowa) I babysit my cousins and it really depends. I would say 8 dollars is about right for what you do.

Hope I hlepd!!

Answer 2

Depends where you live. 2 kids no less than 8/hour, should pay you an average of 10/hour. Up in CT where my sister-in-law lives she pays 12-15 for one kid. But this is all for strictly babysitting (and I guess some snacks or lunch depending what time of day, but it should be simple and easy). Hope this helps a little.

Answer 3

I know that babysitting has gone up in  wages just like everything else,you didn't say how old you are but I guess that shouldn't matter if you know what your doing and do a good job. I guess I would have to pay you at least 9 or10 dollars an hour, you do have twins which is double trouble,  and you said you did some cooking and cleaning.emember this is a learning lesson so get a A plus. April

Answer 4

Do you sit on a set schedule, or are called for occational night out? If it is a regular schedule and they expect the cooking and cleaning (not keeping the place "neat", but actually cleaning) to be done, then you might be better off coming up w/a daily or weekly rate.  Also, sounds like you are a teen?  I would say in the $8-$10/hour range would be fair, depending on where you live.

Answer 5

If it is regular 8-9 hrs a day, 40 hr a week type babysitting, I would do a flat rate per day, like $40 per child (plus or minus $5 as you see fit, just ensure yourself at least min. wage per hour for full time care).  But if it is just like date-night type babysitting (or any other short term, like not while they work jobs-the following are like evening and weekend rates--days you could give them a $0.50 or $1 deal per hour-but not below minimum wage ever!) I would charge minimum wage per hour if you are 13 or 14 yrs old, 15 yrs old charge $7.50(depending on what min wage is--its 7.15 where I am), 16 charge $8, 17 yr old charge $9, 18-23 ish charge $10, 23+ charge $11, you may be able to get away with $12 an hour if you are older (like 30 +)  For holidays (i.e. new years) where you would much rather be out with friends, it is ok to charge more b/c those are prime hours to you-so like $2 more an hour.  Good luck, 2.5 yr old twins can b a real handful and you deserve good pay.

Answer 6

I babysit two 4 year old twins and a 1.5 year old and I get 10 dollars an hour.  (I also do light to modeerate housekeeping)  I would imagine 8 or 9 is sufficient for what you do.

Answer 7

when i cant baby sit my perents hire a very experniced sitter she gets 5 dollers per hour per head when i baby sit any were from 3 an hour to 10 an hour depending on the parents

Answer 8

Keep in mind that you aren't paying taxes on the money you're making (although legally you are supposed to). So even though it's only slightly more than minimum wage, you do have that extra advantage.

It also depends on your age. When I was in 8-10th grade, I babysat two elementary school aged kids for $5/hour...light cooking (macaroni and cheese) and the house was always left cleaner than I found it.

In 10th grade I babysat twin girls at $8/hour, about the same extra work.

I'm now a college girl, I have a regular babysitting job that pays $10/hour for three girls (10, 12, 14) and I do dishes, laundry and driving. There's also an infant I watch sometimes and they pay me $10/hour also. Since he goes to bed rather early, they leave me a list of housekeeping stuff to do. (Swiffering, cleaning dishes, vacuuming...)

Keep in mind that as you get older, and get more babysitting experience, parents will be willing to pay more. If you really aren't happy with what they're paying you, talk to them about it, or look for a new babysitting gig.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Now a days babysitters should get paid more than previous times.  I used to get paid 8/hr but now I won't accept less than 10.  With the number of kids and the age that they are, the work can be harder with more kids at a younger age. 2 and a half is very young, so if I were you I'd ask for at least 10.  Especially if you aid in cooking and cleaning.

Answer 10

I usually get paid about $5-6 an hour. I feed the kids and clean-up the house. I am not a nanny, but I babysit all the time and I am not a teenager (teens seem to get paid less).  But I have heard that the rule of thumb is $3-4 dollars per child, per hour. But I agree, babysitters are way under paid!

Answer 11

Depends on the age of the babysitter ,how good they work, and what they do. I would say 300 - 400 a month.