How Much Do Babysitters Make?

I don’t have to be a babysitter to know how much they make. Since I hire them on a regular basis, I have a pretty good idea as to how much do babysitters make.

There’s no doubt that babysitting has become a lucrative business these days. Aside from the demand, the rates have become pretty competitive as well.

That’s why I understand why some college students and even mommies want to do some babysitting on the side.

So, if you’re also interested in knowing how much do babysitters make, you’ve come to the right place.

How Much Do Babysitters Make?

So, the question is, how much do babysitters make? According to the latest data of Sittercity, the average hourly rate of babysitters is $17.

Depending on where you live, it could be higher or lower. For an immediate ballpark figure, you could look at $17 per hour.

Now, if you want to know exactly how much do babysitters make in your area, then take some time to look at the hourly rates of babysitters in the top cities of the country.

If you live in the San Francisco area, you can expect to make around $22.50 an hour. This is pretty much the highest average hourly rate for babysitters. Since the cost of living in San Francisco is high, you can also expect childcare to cost a lot as well.

Babysitters living in cities such as Stamford, Seattle, Boston, Los Angeles, and New York make an average of $20 per hour. On the other hand, the average hourly rate of babysitters in cities such as Washington, D.C., San Diego, Portland, and Denver is $18.50.

If you intend to offer babysitting services in cities such as Hartford, Baltimore, Minneapolis, Austin, Philadelphia, Sacramento, Miami, Providence, and Chicago expect to make the average hourly rate of $17 to $17.50.

Babysitters in Phoenix, Cleveland, Orlando, Detroit, Dallas, Las Vegas, San Bernardino, San Antonio, Tampa, St. Louis, Nashville, Charlotte, Houston, Columbus, and Atlanta can make around $15 to $16 per hour. On the other hand, babysitters in Norfolk, Virginia can make $14 per hour.

Those are pretty much the average rates babysitters can make in an hour.

Here’s How Babysitters Can Earn More

You now have a good idea as to how much do babysitters make per hour. Given the average rates per hour in the top cities, you can now gauge how much babysitters can make in any given area.

Of course, those are just average rates. What that means is that some babysitters can actually make more. For example, a babysitter in San Francisco can actually make $30 per hour. That’s very possible.

Babysitters can earn more than the average hourly rate.

Babysitters can earn more than the average hourly rate. This is true for most folks who have made babysitting their career. They have become professional babysitters and can command a higher rate per hour.

Even folks who babysit part-time can make more than the average hourly rate. As long as they have undergone some kind of childcare training, they can command a rate higher than the average.

Certifications can also increase the babysitter’s chances of making more than the average hourly rate. For example, a current First Aid certification can add a lot of value to the babysitter’s profile.

Another way, babysitters can make more than the average hourly rate is by extending their services. Now, what I’m about to tell is based on my experience, as a mom who hires a regular babysitter.

When I hired our babysitter, I just expected her to care for my kid. Although I did write down some ground rules they were all just focused on my kid. Nothing more, nothing less. No junk food, no tv at a certain time, no swearing; just pretty simple ground rules for the babysitter to follow.

As time went on, I noticed that our babysitter was doing more than I expected her to do. Of course, this was in a good way.

Related Read: Sittercity Is Now Very Affordable

For example, she was cooking and washing dishes. It was natural for her to do more than she was tasked and I thought that reflected her attitude toward her work. That impressed me a lot, which ultimately got me to increase her hourly rate.

So, my advice to babysitters out there who, not only want to make a positive impact but also want to make more than the average hourly rate is to extend their services. Your employer will definitely appreciate it and compensate you eventually.

Other Factors To Consider

There are other factors to consider especially if you want to make more than the average hourly rate. I’ve seen this with some of my friends who hire a babysitter to watch over their kids. Yes, more than one kid.

What they do is hire a babysitter who can watch two or more kids. From there, they increase the average hourly rate depending on how many kids the babysitter has to care for.

I know they don’t exactly multiply the hourly rate by the number of kids, but they meet at a rate that works well for both parties. While that might seem like a good option for you to make more, it really depends if you’re comfortable with it.

Another way you can make more than the average hourly rate is to offer driving services.

Another way you can make more than the average hourly rate is to offer driving services. Some moms actually hire babysitters who can drive for their kids. Since the babysitters use their own cars, they’re paid more.

Related Read: Is Sittercity Free?

However, you need to take note that most of the parents I know run a motor vehicle check on the babysitters they hire. They want to make sure that the babysitter has not had any driving violations in the past. It’s really about safety for parents.

You can also make more than the average hourly rate if you can offer to teach another language. Some parents I know hire babysitters to teach their kids another language. These babysitters are usually paid more.

These are just a couple of ways to consider so that you can make more than the average hourly rate.

Wait … How About Taxes?

Nobody likes to talk about taxes but since we’re talking about how much do babysitters make, it’s pretty hard to evade the topic.

When it comes to taxes, babysitters aren’t spared. Babysitters are considered self-employed. They would have to pay self-employed tax.

For example, if you earned a net income of four hundred dollars or more from babysitting, you would have to file taxes.

For example, if you earned a net income of four hundred dollars or more from babysitting, you would have to file taxes.

Now, if you’re hired on a regular basis by a single employer, your employer would have to withhold taxes. I know that since I hire the same babysitter on a regular basis.

What really helps me figure out the taxes is Sittercity’s nanny tax calculator. It helps me estimate my tax obligation and tax savings. It also helps me calculate my employee’s withholdings. I don’t think I can do that without any help.

Related Read: Does Sittercity Do Background Checks?

Babysitters can also use Sittercity’s nanny calculator. So why not give it a try? It’s a good way to know exactly how much do babysitters make, before and after taxes.

There isn’t a single figure that could answer the question, how much do babysitters make? Unless you want to stick to the average hourly rate but then again, you would have to consider taxes.

Do you think babysitters make enough? Feel free to share your thoughts. We’d love to hear from you.

Disclosure: Compensated Affiliate. Click here for details.

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Gigi Hernandez

It used to be the case that I would babysit for families. These days, I’m the one hiring sitters to watch over my little girl. LOL! How time flies. My mission now is to share some of my insights so that other moms get to benefit from my experience with babysitting. Read More