How much to pay teen babysitter?

[savannahcat]

I'm currently paying my teenage babysitter $40 for a 6 hour day. For the area we live in, I am probably overpaying her at this rate, but she's good and I want to keep her.

 

[LilyWDW]

So much goes into what you should pay a babysitter...

The going rate in the area.
Is the sitter certified first aid / CPR?
Do any of the children need special care?
How would she get to the job?
What is her age?
What do you expect her to do when she is there?

Let me give you an example. I used to babysit when I was younger. The family I sat for lived right across the street and had 3 children. The going rate in my area was $5-$10 per child per hour. This family payed me the $10 per child per hour because of what I was usually required to do. One of the children was mentally handicapped and had to be watched closer then your normal child. I was usually making at least one meal that required cooking (or ordering ). I was first aid, CPR, and life guard certified.

So, they felt I deserved the max going rate for the area because of what I could do.

 

[SnowWhite2]

I paid $100/day for (9-10 hours) for a summer nanny to watch my kids when they were 8 and 10. I paid expenses when they went out - movies, zoo, aquarium, fair, etc. I put a $50/week cap on trips. That was 5 years ago

 

[StitchBuddy]

My DD (13) is babysitting 10 yr old twins for 5 days from 7:30-4:30 and is getting $200 for the week. Hope this helps. I think it is fair, she is actually splitting it with a friend, didn't want to do it all by herself for the whole week. I think people pay way to much for teens to watch kids. They are getting more than minimum wage. It's crazy!

 

[inkedupmomma]

I think that sounds great!
Where I live it's about $10-$15 an hour! Needless to say, my husband and I have had exaclty 2 dates in the past 10 months

same here... only thing is, I AM the town sitter and I charge $15! I can't afford to pay anyone else that..

OP, did you ask what she charges?

 

[cassandrap83]

I have a woman who watches our children throughout the summer, 2 days per week. I have 2 children just about the same age as her own & I pay her $60/day for 7hrs. I pack a lunch for them, but she provides snacks.

 

[Evi]

Some of your numbers are blowing my mind..as in super low bawled. I don't have kids but I used to babysit when I was a teen and I used to get paid $50 a night for 3-5 hours anything over 5 hours or after midnight whatever came first was an additional $50 and then I'd usually spend the night and they would take me home in the morning. Ok wait now hold onto your wallets I'm 35 and this was when I was 15.. Honestly I would expect to pay a kid at least $15 an hour to take care of my kids if I had any maybe more depending on how many there are. I'd also expect to pick them up and drop them off. But thats just me I'd treat them the way I was treated when I used to babysit.

 

[disfan07]

I charge $14/hour for 2 kids.
Babysitters here and where I used to live get paid more than the going rate for daycare because it's more individualized care.

Personally, I believe qualified babysitters should get paid more per hour than the going rate at daycare.

When I was babysitting for a family on a regular basis last summer it was 4 kids and it was 6 hours/day 2 days per week. I got $100/day so about $16/hour. My usual babysitting rate for 4 kids is $20/hour for weekend and last minute babysitting.

 

[formill]

My DD (13) is babysitting 10 yr old twins for 5 days from 7:30-4:30 and is getting $200 for the week. Hope this helps. I think it is fair, she is actually splitting it with a friend, didn't want to do it all by herself for the whole week. I think people pay way to much for teens to watch kids. They are getting more than minimum wage. It's crazy!

Agree! Can't believe what people are paying for babysitters! Wow I never made anything close to what people are posting...I babysat at one time in my home serving my food to the kids....I think I made $5 an hour for 2 children. I never understood why people always paid the teenagers more in the evenings then what I made all day.

 

[inkedupmomma]

Agree! Can't believe what people are paying for babysitters! Wow I never made anything close to what people are posting...I babysat at one time in my home serving my food to the kids....I think I made $5 an hour for 2 children. I never understood why people always paid the teenagers more in the evenings then what I made all day.

The way I look at it is, my kids are the most important thing in my life. So why not pay the most to ensure I get the best? I meanI can't believe people will pay $10+ dollars on a take out pizza when they can make it at home much cheaper..but they do, without blinking an eye.

I think it is hilarious how many people wouldn't bat an eye at buying coffee every day, or cigs, or snacks, or whatever little things people spend money on, but then when it comes to paying a sitter they get all tight wad I can't tell you how many people I have dealt with like that in the past. No probs spending money on a huge dinner, tip, valet parking..but when it came to paying me, they moaned and groaned..PUHLEASE!

 

[Purseval]

It depends entirely on where you live. If the teen drops you after a couple of weeks you know you didn't pay enough. The girls in my neighborhood (friends of my daughter) used to share notes on who had rotten kids, who kept staying out later than promised, etc., and those people would be told that they already had another job lined up.

My neice in another state can't find anything. People are either out of work and watch their own kids or cut back so much they don't need a babysitter.

 

[JustineMarie]

Agree! Can't believe what people are paying for babysitters! Wow I never made anything close to what people are posting...I babysat at one time in my home serving my food to the kids....I think I made $5 an hour for 2 children. I never understood why people always paid the teenagers more in the evenings then what I made all day.

I don't get it either! I babysit my husband's friends son from 7:30a to 5:30, 5 days a week and I only get paid 150$ a week and he's an infant! I need to up my price!

 

[riley2008]

Because it's a "one time thing" (for the three days anyway) - I would pay the teenager more on the high end. If it were a regular babysitting job, say for the whole summer, then more average.

My DH works a strange shift so I needed someone 1-2 times per week and not the same days every week. I had to pay more. I'm also very strict about the computer/video/TV time, so she had to interact with my 6yos and make sure they do/help with their chores.

If you can afford it, err on the side of being too generous.

 

[AZMermaid]

My friend pays her teenage sitter $20/ hr for her potty trained almost 3 year old and 18 month old. She thought that was too much, but after looking around- couldn't find anyone cheaper.