How much do you pay a babysitter?

[taylordvd]

I was just wondering what everyone pays their babysitters. I pay between $7 & $8/hour depending on the situation. This is for a high school student. What's the going rate in your area?

[FunnyFace]

I've never hired a babysitter, but I think the average rate here is about $3 for the first child and then maybe half for each additional child. 20 yrs ago I got paid about $2/hr for two children and about 15 yrs ago if one became a childcare provider through the county it was $2/hr/child.

For shorter times like a few hours one usually gets a little more, but I've never seen anyone pay $7-$8/hr around this area. If that was the case and full time care I think I'd take care of a couple of children myself.

[anaj06]

I pay $10 hour for 2 kids to my sitter.

[lazy1608]

I pay $9 an hour for one child. Now I have 2 kids (one being an infant ~ 7 months) we shall see! I hire my across the street neighbor who is a senior in high school. :)

[mrsjschultz]

Originally Posted by anaj06 I pay $10 hour for 2 kids to my sitter.

Same here for (2) children. Our sitter is college age.

[graciebell]

It depends on the situation! I usually pay my high school sitter around 8-9 an hour depending on if I am home and just doing things around the house. I pay the college girls that sit that have to drive to my house about 10 an hour.

$3 an hour is a steal!! I'm jealous!

[coupongirl69]

My daughter is 15 she's been babysitting since she was 10. She currently makes $10 an hour for the first 2 children and $5 for each additional child after that.
If she's a mom's helper (meaning mom is home and just needs some help) she charges $5 an hour. She does birthday parties where she comes and helps set up and clean up and helps with the kids and that's $5 an hour + tip.
She is currently on vacation for a week with one of the families she babysits for. They are paying her $50 a day+ all of her food and fun while they are on vacation. They have a baby and a 6 year old. So she's lovin life right now. LOL
She has built a very good rep. so people are usually in line booking her up. She had business cards made up because when she's at the "y" doing her swim practice there are always parents there asking each other for babysitter referrals.
Hope that helps.