What Is the Going Rate for Babysitting Right Now?

The national average hourly rate for babysitting in the United States is $18.36 for one child. However, the babysitting rate will change depending on where you live, the number of children you have, your children’s ages, how much experience your babysitter has, and their job responsibilities.

Other various factors affect the babysitter costs you can expect to pay. Choosing the right babysitter is a personal decision, and childcare costs will likely play a factor in your choice. Read on to learn the going rate for babysitting and how various factors can either raise or lower that cost.

Before Hiring a Sitter

There are several decisions you need to make before you begin your search for an in-home childcare provider. Taking some time to consider carefully the following questions will make sure that your expectations are clear and that you are prepared to pay your sitter a competitive wage for the services you are requesting.

When people think of babysitters, they likely imagine their neighborhood teenager or perhaps a college student. However, there are babysitters of all ages and all experience levels. While many parents may rely on family members to babysit, some caregivers build an entire career out of childcare.

The average rate of $18.36 is not the norm everywhere. You are likely to pay a higher rate if you live in a big city with a higher living cost. On the other hand, those in rural areas will probably pay a lower hourly rate for babysitting services. 

Your Location Affects Babysitting Rate

The cost of a babysitter in a state’s small towns is lower. That is because it is common for childcare wages to directly reflect the cost of living in the town.

Surprisingly, Las Vegas has the lowest average babysitting rates. For one child, the hourly rate is $12.53, while two children will cost you about $17.18 per hour. 

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