Every penny counts. So, when hiring a babysitter, you’d have to know how much to pay her per hour. Is $5 an hour good for babysitting?
Hiring a babysitter is hard enough. Knowing how much to pay her is even harder.
If you’re unsure whether $5 an hour is good for babysitting, you can ask some of your friends who babysit to get some insight into whether it’s good enough.
🤔 What's The Real Scoop On Sittercity? This Is What We Found Out
However, you can also read on to know the answer to your question.
Table Of Contents
Is $5 An Hour Good For Babysitting?
It depends. That is the answer to the question, “Is $5 an hour good for babysitting?” The rate per hour of babysitting depends on a number of factors.
For starters, you would have to pay a sitter according to the number of children they care for. So, if you are hiring a sitter to watch two kids, you’d definitely have to pay more than just 5 dollars an hour.
It’s standard for a sitter to charge an extra dollar or two per child. However, if you have more than two children, it’s customary for a babysitter to charge a higher rate.
It’s always best to negotiate with your babysitter before committing to a price.
Higher rates will attract better candidates with special skills. Babysitters who have received training in CPR or first aid will likely be more expensive than those without.
Similarly, parents who need specific food prepared for their children will be more willing to pay a higher rate for someone who can cook it for them.
While you may not need the services of a chef or a nutritionist, you should be able to provide the sitter with a reasonable salary.
Depending on the region in which you live, babysitter costs can vary dramatically. While Sittercity recommends paying according to experience and qualifications, it also places importance on location. (1) The location pretty much determines the rate per hour of a babysitter.
For example, if you are located in cities such as Denver, San Diego, Los Angeles, or New York; five dollars an hour would definitely not be good enough. The rate per hour for babysitting in those cities ranges from $20 to $21.50 per hour.
The rates are much higher in California cities such as San Francisco and San Jose. It’s $24 per hour.
Cities such as Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas, and Las Vegas have a more reasonable rate of $17.50 per hour.
While those rates are much higher than $5 an hour, you’re guaranteed to hire experienced and trustworthy babysitters.
Of course, you’ll want to hire a sitter who likes children and is trustworthy and competent.
Their competence would include skills such as basic first aid. They should also have a list of good references for you to call on. Obviously, experience is a factor.
So, considering what has been previously mentioned, is $5 an hour good for babysitting?
You know what, in some cases, yes. Here’s the thing, when it comes to babysitting, there is no minimum wage law. (2)
Hence, there are still babysitters out there who charge $5 an hour. However, they are most likely teenagers who are looking to earn some money on the side.
It’s your option to choose a teenager to watch your kids. However, there are risks.
When hiring a teenager to babysit, you’ll want to make sure they are responsible and capable of taking care of your children.
They should also be confident enough to assume a leadership role and demand respect from other children.
🤔 Is Sittercity Right For You? Here's What Sittercity Isn't
If your child is on medications, ask if they are knowledgeable about the proper disposal of these medicines.
While hiring a teenager to babysit, it’s important to check their references. You can ask them to provide you with the contact information of families they have worked with in the past.
Teenagers who have been babysitting for several years should provide you with personal references, as you don’t want to hire a stranger without knowing the child’s background and character.
If the teenager is someone you know pretty well, make sure to set expectations. Make sure to state your house rules clearly.
While it’s good to hire someone you know, always keep in mind that familiarity breeds contempt.
To prevent any kind of conflict and misunderstanding, set the house rules clearly.
So, if you’re looking to pay $5 an hour for a babysitter, keep an eye out for dependable teenagers in your neighborhood.
It’s also worth noting that you would need to increase the rate per hour if the teenager has proven her qualifications and trustworthiness.
If you need the teenager to babysit on a holiday, you might want to consider paying extra.
Holiday rates for babysitting services should be on your radar. When you hire a babysitter during the holidays, you can spend more time together as a family.
However, you do need to keep in mind that a teenage babysitter is going to spend time away from her family. That is something to consider when thinking of a holiday rate.
This is why holiday rates for babysitting services are typically higher than average.
As with any type of holiday, pay a bit more than you usually would. Holidays tend to be busy times for babysitters, and you’ll want to pay them extra.
It’s also etiquette to pay extra – a holiday babysitter will likely have made other plans. Also, pay more than usual for those who are available for late shifts.
How Much Do Most Babysitters Get Paid An Hour?
As previously mentioned, the rate per hour of babysitters depends on the location. Babysitters in San Francisco and San Jose have a much higher rate per hour as compared to other cities.
🤔 Should You Use Sittercity? Check Out What Parents Have To Say About Sittercity
When deciding how much to pay a babysitter, consider her credentials and experience as a childcare provider.
Keep in mind that the rate will increase a bit if the babysitter also has responsibilities.
These may include driving the kids to and from school, helping with homework, cooking meals, cleaning, or walking the family dog.
Experienced babysitters can charge more than a teenage babysitter. Those with specialized certifications and degrees, such as an Early Childhood Education degree, will charge more than those without.
A good sitter will always go the extra mile to ensure the children’s safety.
Do Babysitters Do Laundry?
Sure, babysitters do the laundry, especially if it’s part of their part. The most important thing is to set expectations with the babysitter.
List down all the tasks you expect her to do. If you want her to do the laundry, then make sure to tell her that.
Paying your babysitter $5 an hour will only cover her time, so you should pay extra for the extra services they provide.
Some additional services include picking up your children from school and helping them with homework.
The babysitter can also do some cooking and cleaning but you would have to make it clear to her.
Now, if you’re thinking of hiring a teenager to babysit your kids, you would have to consider if she is amenable to doing some laundry or other extra services.
Keep in mind that if you require your teenage babysitter to do some extra tasks, you would have to pay extra.
So, is $5 an hour good for babysitting? Yes, if you want to settle for a teenager and you don’t expect her to do much.
Recommended For You
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
