What Mums Pay for Babysitting?
I admit that I rarely go out, so we’ve never used a babysitter. My sons’ grandparents usually come to our rescue when we need them.
When they were not available, I asked the teenage neighbor if she could watch the boys for several hours so that we could go to dinner. I was comfortable because her mother, a close friend of ours who lived across the hall, would be there if we needed an adult (we were in a flat block at the time).
I didn’t know what the average rate was for babysitting, but I did what every millennial mum does these days: I put out a call on Facebook. The responses were unexpected. Like my Facebook post on the subject, Baby Domain asked readers to tell them what they pay for their babysitters. The responses were varied.
The Standard Wage is $20 Per Hour.
Most mums thought that $20 per hour was a fair rate. Some said they would pay $10 to $15 an hour to inexperienced babysitters, but others were willing to pay $25 or more for qualified childcare workers and first aiders.
One reader commented on Facebook: I worked in child care as a nanny too. I think $20 per hour is enough if the daughter of your friend doesn’t have any qualifications and is only helping out.
When I asked my friends the same question, I found that many mums also echoed this $20 per hour rate.
When ABC Radio Sydney surveyed their listeners about the price they pay for child care, the average cost was between $20 and $25.
Some of Us Think a Little Less Than Normal is Fine.
Parents felt that $20 an hour was too high when the babysitting didn’t involve much childcare. Under $20 per hour was acceptable if the parents fed and bathed their children, and all the babysitter had to do was read a few books, put them to sleep, and check on them periodically while they waited for their parents to return. Parents felt the same way if their sitter was a teen.
One friend said that her teenagers charged $15, which was about average for their peers. A Babyology reader confirmed this:
I pay $15 per hour for my three children. They are usually fed, washed, and only need to go to bed. This is for a teenager and not a qualified childcare worker .”
Experienced Sitters Will Be Paid More.
Parents felt that paying less than $20 per hour to sitters with more experience, particularly those who have First Aid certificates, childcare qualifications, or nanny experiences, was unfair. The parents felt that around $25 was more suitable.
One reader said, “We only pay $25 because she is from our childcare and has lots of certificates. We have one child under 2.5 years old.”
According to an ABC interview conducted with Nicky Cosgrove of Lullaby Nanny Share, a Sydney-based babysitting agency, the rates for experienced sitters can range from $26 to $40 per hour.
Is Babysitting a Standard Industry?
Babysitting doesn’t have a standard industry rate of pay. Casual or ad hoc babysitters, who are not employees, do not have a set minimum wage. Babysitters must negotiate with parents their fee.
It is different when you have an au pair or nanny. The nanny or au pair is not a babysitter, but an employee of your family. They are entitled to the minimum wage in Australia, currently $19.84 an hour.
What About Me?
I finally offered to pay $20 per hour for my sweet teenage neighbor, but she only accepted $18. She said, “I checked on them several times after they went to sleep, but I didn’t do much.” She was right in a way. She also doesn’t understand the importance of someone your children like and with whom you feel comfortable leaving them.
What you pay your babysitter depends on what you and the babysitter agree upon, as well as what feels right.
What to Pay for the Babysitter?
This weekend, I decided to try a different approach to paying the babysitter. I told them upfront what I would pay for their services and made my expectations clear for the time I would be away. It was a “Take It or Leave It” strategy, and to my surprise, it worked. However, there was a bit of eye-rolling when I mentioned the rate of $15 for two hours of babysitting.
While I agree that families should aim to find care that fits within their budget, this approach is unrealistic and oversimplified.
That little bit of eye-rolling might indicate that the babysitter wasn’t thrilled with the arrangement, but was too polite to back out. You’ll likely need to work harder next time you ask her to babysit, whether it’s for a date night or in an emergency.
The idea of paying below minimum wage may seem like an easy way to save money, but it’s flawed. It also misrepresents what parents should expect from their caregivers. The approach I’ve seen has led to misunderstandings about the value of caregiving.
In my experience as both a parent and a caregiver, babysitting isn’t just about watching TV and serving a pre-made meal. It’s more complex and requires an understanding of the needs of the child, and the ability to manage unexpected situations.
Comparing caregiving to other jobs is often unfair. For example, people don’t assume pilots make too much money simply because they sit in a chair and press buttons—they’re compensated for their expertise and for handling emergencies. Similarly, caregivers aren’t just paid for watching a child peacefully play. They’re paid for their experience, their ability to manage situations calmly, and their knowledge, especially if an emergency arises.
Expecting a babysitter to leave a baby in a dirty, sagging diaper or allow the house to be left in disarray is unreasonable. If the choice is between hiring an inexperienced babysitter at a lower rate or paying a little more for someone reliable, it’s worth spending the extra money. A caregiver should not only be capable but also qualified. I wouldn’t leave my child alone with someone who doesn’t have proper credentials or experience, and neither should you.
You indeed get what you pay for, and taking care of children is a big responsibility.
I’m mindful of my budget and make it clear that I’m not expecting anything more than basic care. I just hope for a smooth experience.
But a date night that involves hours of anxious worrying, praying everything goes well, is far from relaxing. Why would you trust someone with your children who may not be equipped to handle an emergency?
Some people seem to think that childcare is only affordable if you stick to one specific option, but the truth is, there are many different choices available when it comes to finding care for children. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and flexibility is key.
What You Can Expect at Each Level of Childcare?
The level of childcare you receive will vary depending on what service you select. A mother’s assistant or babysitter may be able to provide basic care such as feeding the child, playing with them, and putting them to bed. However, they may not have the skills to deal with emergencies.
A nursery or daycare center offers structured activities and socialization among peers. They also have professional staff who are trained in child development. Nannies can provide more individualized care and often include meal preparation, picking up the child from school, or other family tasks. The cost increases as the level of service does, but so do the responsibilities and expertise of the caregivers
Mother’s Helper
They are not well-educated and have little experience. They should be able to care for the children only when Mom is busy. This is a good option if your children are aged 7-8 and require minimal supervision. There is no industry standard pay for Mother’s Helpers, and you can negotiate a low rate.
Babysitter
This is the level of care that a high school or college graduate would provide. These caregivers have more experience than a mother’s helper, and they’ve cared for children of every age. Babysitting rates range from $8-15+ per hour, but they vary greatly depending on where you live and the number of children. Families living in big cities like Washington, DC should expect to pay between $12 and $20 per hour for child care.
Nanny
This is a level of care provided by someone who has 5+ years of experience in caring for children. These professionals usually have degrees or certifications that specialize in child care. A nanny may also choose to be a childcare professional. You can expect to spend $15-25 per hour on babysitting for one child. In larger metro areas, rates are usually $20 or more.
I understand Jan’s point about teens learning to value a dollar. But extrapolating a man’s lawn-mowing salary into millennial bashing is just not logical. Gas, rent, tuition, and food prices are at an all-time high for today’s youth. The demand for childcare has also been influenced by other economic factors, such as the increase in women working.
If you are new to babysitting, or if you want to reevaluate the rate you charge per hour, it is important to familiarize yourself with average rates for babysitters. Families and sitters consider a variety of factors when setting a rate. What you need to consider when determining a babysitting hourly rate that is fair for all parties.
What Factors Can Affect the Price You Charge for Babysitting?
The hourly pay of a babysitter is largely determined by three factors:
1. Experience
You can earn more money if you have more babysitting hours or jobs. Be reasonable when deciding what counts as a real experience. Caregiving for your younger brother or sister does not count as experience.
2. Number of Children
You can expect to earn more if you watch more than one child. As a rule, add one dollar for every additional child. If you’re paid $17 an hour for a child, but a family with three children has you working for them, you can ask to be paid $19 per.
3. Location
You will find that rates are higher if you babysit in an area where the cost of living is higher. Use a cost-of-care calculator and do your research to find out what three towns in your area are asking for. You should look at the pay rates of babysitters in neighboring towns. If you find that there is a big difference, it’s best to search for jobs.
Babysitting Rates are Constantly Changing.
You’ll need to know what other families pay for babysitters to watch their children before you can set your rate. According to some surveys for 2025, parents reported rates for after-school care that averaged $316 per child. This is based upon an average wage of $21.07 for three hours of work per day or 15 hours a week.
This national average can be a good place to start, but it does not tell you how much you will earn in your area or according to your job duties and experience. You should also consider other factors.
