Babysitter rates?

L

lovetostep

Active Member
I finally found a babysitter! We have only used family members for our 3 boys (7, 5, & 9 months)but I often feel like I am imposing so I am excited to have found this person. But I have no idea what babysitters expect for payment! Any input is welcome. She is older too (about 22 or 23) which is my preference especially handling a baby. Should her age make a difference? Number of children? I am thinking maybe I should just ask her (is that tacky?)but I still would like to have a rough idea. Thanks for your help!
 
I usually pay $12 an hour to a college girl for 2 boys (ages 2 & 5) plus I reimburse the $4 for crossing the bridge if it's someone who lives across the river from us. I don't know if this is a normal rate but I knew the same girl was paid between 10 and 12 by a friend of mine--it seems higher than what I got paid but it's been years and years since I babysat. Also, I live in NY state; it may differ by location like so many other things.

[font face="comic sans ms" font color=teal]***Lainie***

My fitness blog: http://web.mac.com/lainiefig/iWeb/Site/Exercise/Exercise.html
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I have always asked. I don't think it is tacky. I believe that I paid $10 when I lived in the Philly area and she was a teenager. I don't think age really matters when it comes to the payment. Go ahead and ask. Most of the babysitters I used made sure to tell me! I am sooooo glad I am back in Indiana and have all the free sitters I need now!:) Good Luck!
LD
 
I always hated being asked "what my rate is" as a babysitter--it just felt awkward. I still babysit quite often and am generally paid from $10-$12 per hour.

Allison
 
Are you paying her for when you work or just a night out on the town? Because if the former, I would think 10-13 dollars per hour would not enable a typical person to bring home much money. But I live in Ohio, so I could be wrong. Also, it depends on your profession. The babysitters in my area charge about 5-6 per hour or so on average if they come to your home. It is sort of like making minimum wage in a way. But if only for an occasional night on the town, I would pay definately like 10 per hour or so; or a flat rate.
Clarissa
 
It's pretty tricky, in my opinion. There are times when I go over to babysit a friend's kids (yes, I have no social life....;() and the kids are already asleep. I would not expect to be paid ten bucks an hour to sit on my butt and watch tv while they go out to dinner.
But if I go over there early enough to have to feed the kids, play with them, give them baths, put them to bed, etc. then, yes, I expect at least $10 an hour. The more work the babysitter has to put in, the more I would expect to have to pay her.

Allison
 
I think part of the reason I pay as much as I do is that I'm often only gone for a couple hours so a low hourly rate seems like it doesn't come out to enough to make it worth the sitter's time. My girl moved to London, though, so I need a new sitter now.

It's a shame you're not in the SW side of CT, Allison, or I'd be hitting you up to come sit with my boys. ;) (I took the time to check your town on your profile when you said you babysat.)

[font face="comic sans ms" font color=teal]***Lainie***

My fitness blog: http://web.mac.com/lainiefig/iWeb/Site/Exercise/Exercise.html
7.gif
 
>It's a shame you're not in the SW side of CT, Allison, or I'd
>be hitting you up to come sit with my boys. ;) (I took the
>time to check your town on your profile when you said you
>babysat.)

HAHA, Lainie! You're adorable! I have about three million nieces and nephews and 6 brothers and sisters so I guess babysitting just comes naturally to me.... ;)

But, hey, you make it worth my time and I'll drive down to ya! :D
(Your boys are just gorgeous, by the way!)


Allison
 
<My friend's daughter babysits some evenings and she gets a flat rate of $20.00 for the evening.>

I wonder what an evening entails because $20.00 seems rather cheap. I would be embarrassed to pay someone such a pittance, even a kid who has to save for collage or help with family expenses, unless they were just coming over an hour or two after the kids were in bed.
 
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