If you’re a working parent, you’ve had to hire a babysitter at one time or another. Whether you require a sitter for a few hours while running errands or longer periods while you’re out of town, hiring childcare can be expensive. How much should you pay?
In 2022, the average hourly pay for babysitters in the United States is $17.50, so 8 hours of babysitting would be $140. However, the average hourly pay varies depending on where you live, how much experience babysitters have, and the type of service they offer.
Read on to understand how much you should pay a babysitter for 8 hours, what’s fair to offer your babysitter, some tips for hiring a babysitter, etc.
How Much Should I Charge for Babysitting in My Home?
A good babysitter can make the difference if you need some time away from the house. But how much should you pay a babysitter per hour?
The cost of a babysitter can vary wildly depending on where you live, how many kids you have, and your specific needs. One approach to narrow down the search for an ideal babysitter is to know what the going rate is in your area.
Knowing what’s fair to offer a babysitter can take time and research. While there’s no “one size fits all” answer for what rates are reasonable for hiring a sitter, there are ways to ensure you get the best possible match for your family.
Average Babysitting Rate
According to the Sittercity provider data, as of January 2022, the average babysitting rate in American households is $17.50 per hour or $140 for 8 hours of babysitting. Getting a babysitter to watch your child 8 hours per day, five days per week will cost around $700.
Teen babysitting in the US costs an average hourly pay of between $10 and $20. For 8 hours of teen babysitting, you would be paying an average of $80 to $160.
How Much to Pay 15 to 18-Year-Old Babysitters
Older teens ages 15 to 18 get paid an average of $15 to $20 per hour or $120 to $160 for 8 hours of babysitting.
How Much to Pay a 13-Year-Old Babysitter
A 13-year-old babysitter can receive hourly pay of up to $15 or a maximum of $120 for 8 hours.
How Much to Pay a 12-Year-Old Babysitter
12-year-olds get a minimum hourly pay of $10 and a maximum of $15. This would be approximately $80 to $120 for 8 hours of babysitting.
Factors to Consider to Determine Babysitter Rate
Paying a babysitter can be tricky. You want to get the best quality child care possible. But you also don’t want to break your budget or go into debt by overpaying someone for their work.
Knowing how much to pay a babysitter is important because it can affect the quality of care your child receives. If you underpay a babysitter, they may not be motivated to do their best work. On the other hand, if you overpay a babysitter, you might spend more money than necessary.
The best method to figure out how much to pay your babysitter is by considering the following factors:
1. Babysitter’s Age
Younger sitters are usually cheaper than older ones since they have less experience and are still in school. However, younger sitters may also not be as responsible as older ones.
2. Level of Babysitting Experience
The amount of experience they have working with children or other adults also matters. You might pay them a little less if it’s a teenager with little knowledge. A more experienced babysitter, such as a certified babysitter or someone with CPR training, might cost you more per hour.
3. Number of Children
It costs more money to care for multiple children. In other words, expect to pay your babysitter more if you have two or more kids.
4. Children’s Age and Needs
Babysitters usually charge more for caring for younger children because they require more attention and supervision. Some parents want their babysitter to also help with homework or chores. So this might factor into how much money you pay.
5. Children with Special Needs
You may need to seek a babysitter with experience caring for disabled or medically fragile children. You should expect to pay more for such services.
6. Time or Occasion
If you’re going out on an average Wednesday night, you’ll probably pay less than if it’s Friday or Saturday night. Also, most babysitters will charge more if you need them to come in at an unusual hour than if they are sitting during regular business hours.
7. Hours
The more hours you need a babysitter, the more money you should offer. You may want to consider offering extra babysitting pay for overnights or additional weekends if you need those services on occasion.
8. Overnight Stay
Whether or not they have to stay at your house overnight, babysitters who spend the night might charge you more per hour.
9. Distance From Your Home
If the babysitter has to drive a great distance or even use public transportation, you may want to consider paying them a bit more. This is especially true if they will be working late hours.
The further away the babysitter lives, the more money you should offer since they will incur travel expenses. If public transportation isn’t an option, you may need to provide transportation for the sitter.
10. Additional Responsibilities
You should also factor in whether there will be any other duties involved, such as preparing meals or doing laundry while the children are sleeping.
These factors matter because they show how much you should pay your babysitter based on different conditions.
Knowing this is important so you can budget accordingly and not overspend or underpay your babysitter. This information is also helpful if you need to negotiate pay with a potential babysitter.
Again, how much should I pay a babysitter for 8 hours? According to the UrbanSitter’s 2020 National Childcare Rate Survey, you should pay your babysitter $17.50/hour. So, if you need a sitter for eight hours, set aside $140. However, the rate depends on where you live, the sitter’s experience, etc.
Tips for Hiring a Babysitter
Finding the right babysitter can be a difficult process. With so many people to choose from, how to tell whether you found the best fit for your family? If you’re considering hiring a babysitter, here are some tips to help you make the best decision possible:
1. Ask Friends and Family for Recommendations
Hiring a babysitter is a big step, so it’s always best to get the opinions of people you trust. This way, you know you won’t be getting a bum deal.
When someone else’s kid is being taken care of by someone else’s babysitter, they’ll have an opinion about the sitter’s skills and personality that’s pretty unbiased. And if they’ve got kids themselves, they’ll also know whether or not they can handle yours.
2. Call References
Even if you’re getting recommendations from family members or friends, it’s still important to call the references they give you.
When you ask for references, make sure to ask for two or more. If you’re leaving your kids with someone else for an extended period, you must ensure that the person you’re hiring is trustworthy and responsible.
Ensure that the references are from people who have used their services recently (e.g., within the past year).
3. Do a Background Check
You’re not just trusting your kids’ safety to some random stranger. You’re also trusting them to care for your home and belongings. That’s why it’s essential to make sure that the person caring for your children is someone you can trust.
A background check can tell you precisely what kind of person they are and what they’ve done in their past. You’ll also know if they have any criminal history or other red flags that may give you pause about allowing them into your home.
If you want peace of mind when leaving your kids with someone else, do yourself (and them) a favor: do a background check first!
4. Get Proof of ID and Insurance
When hiring a babysitter, it’s essential to make sure they are who they say they are. You need to know if they have a criminal record and whether or not they can provide proof of insurance. You also want to ensure they’re legally allowed to work in the United States.
5. Give Clear Instructions
It’s normal to feel nervous about putting your child in the care of someone else, especially when you are not there to watch things yourself. But if you want to ensure your kids are safe while away from home, it helps to have detailed instructions for the babysitter.
You should also give your babysitter any special instructions regarding diet or medicine. Also, include contact information for yourself and in case of an emergency.
6. Pay Attention to How Your Child Reacts to the Babysitter
You’ve probably found a winner if your child seems happy and comfortable! But if your child seems uncomfortable, quiet, or nervous, that could signify something isn’t right.
7. Babysitters Must Have Good Communication Skills
Babysitters need to be able to communicate with you and your children effectively. If they don’t seem to know how to talk in a way appropriate for young children, they may not be suitable for your family.
Look for a babysitter who can communicate well with you. You need someone who will let you know what’s going on at your house while you’re gone and if any problems or concerns arise while they are there.
Other Factors to Consider Before Hiring a Sitter
When you’re looking for a babysitter, consider some factors beyond the quality of care your child will receive:
- How well do they match with your family?
- What kind of relationship can you expect with this person?
These questions should be on your mind before deciding who gets the job.
When considering whether or not someone is right for this position, think about what you want from them as well as what they want from you:
- Is their personality compatible with yours?
- Do their interests align with yours?
The more overlap between the two parties’ expectations, the more likely everyone will be happy in their relationship together.
A good relationship between parent and babysitter requires that both sides have realistic expectations about their time commitment to each other. So, if one person wants more than what can reasonably be provided by the other, they may not be right for each other.
Frequently Asked Questions – Babysitting Pay for 8 Hours
How Much Should I Charge for 8 Hours of Babysitting?
US babysitting rates vary significantly per city. However, recent data released by Sittercity show that the country averages $17.50 per hour. For 8 hours, that would be equivalent to $140.
How Much to Pay a Babysitter For a Weekend?
Typically, you pay a babysitter at their regular rate for a full day and a flat amount for each sleepover shift. However, it’s up to you and your babysitter to negotiate what works for your family situation.
Are You Supposed to Feed Your Babysitter?
It’s not considered mandatory to provide food for your babysitter, but many families would do so out of politeness. Generally, the etiquette surrounding food varies by family. If this is your first time getting a babysitter’s help, you might ask friends who’ve done it before to get an idea.
What’s the Difference Between a Babysitter and a Nanny?
A nanny is paid to watch a child regularly, whereas a babysitter is hired only when needed. They differ in their duties too. A babysitter’s main focus is keeping your child safe and watching them while you’re away.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Babysit?
Most babysitters begin working in their early teens, but no minimum age is legally required to babysit.
It’s best to wait until you are mature enough to care for children on your own and know what actions to take in an emergency. It is also important that parents feel comfortable leaving their children with you.
Conclusion – 8 Hours of Babysitting [Pay Rate]
Now that you have a firm grasp of how much you should pay babysitters for their 8-hour service, you can decide how much to pay your child’s sitter and whether the rates they charge are fair.
Remember that babysitters often work full-time jobs, so it’s important to be fair in what you offer them. Also, thank them at the end of each shift, and if they’ve done a great job with your children, give them an extra tip!
