How much should you charge for babysitting? Tips from a teen

Babysitting is one of those jobs that seems so simple… until you’re the one setting the price. If you’re a teen looking to start babysitting, or a parent helping your kids figure it out, you’ve probably asked the big question: How much should you charge for babysitting?

There’s no single answer. It depends on where you live, your experience, and what the job involves. But getting your rate right from the start makes a big difference. And not just in how much money you earn, but also in how seriously people take you.

To help you figure it all out, we talked with a teen who started babysitting five years ago and has turned it into a steady, word-of-mouth business. She’s always booked (usually months in advance!), parents and kids love her, and she’s picked up a lot of smart strategies along the way. Don’t miss her pro tips below, which will give you some quick takeaways as you get started.

Start by seeing what others are charging

Rates can vary based on a number of factors. In some places, charging $10 an hour for babysitting is totally normal. In other places (especially bigger cities or places with a higher cost of living), $20 or more isn’t unusual. And higher rates are the norm if you have experience or you're watching multiple kids. But, while there’s no universal rate, these guidelines will help you figure out where to start:

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• Just starting out. A good baseline is $12 to $15 an hour, especially if you’re watching one child and still gaining experience.

• A little more experience. If you’ve been babysitting for a little while and have families that come back, $15 to $18 an hour is common in many areas.

• Experienced. If you have babysat multiple kids and handled special needs or extra duties, $18 to $22+ an hour is usually fair, depending on what the job involves.

To figure out the right rate for you, do a little research. Ask a few parents you know or check Care.com’s Babysitting Rates Calculator to get a ballpark.

Pro tip: "I asked a few older babysitters how they figured out their rates before I took my first job. It gave me a good idea of what was normal, so I didn’t feel awkward setting a price."

Think about your experience

If you’re new to babysitting, you might start on the lower end of the range, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck at that rate forever. Your rate can (and should!) go up as you gain more experience.

Pro tip: "I started out charging like $12 an hour, but once I had a few regulars, I bumped it up to $15. No one cared at all… I probably could’ve done it way earlier."

Be upfront about what you charge

Talking about money can feel weird, especially if you’re new to it. But those conversations actually help to get everyone on the same page. You wouldn’t take a babysitting job before you knew what you were getting paid, and parents won’t want to hire you if they have no idea what you charge. 

Pro tip: "When I first started, I made a flyer with my rate, when I was free, and that I’m CPR certified. That made it easier to start the rates convo."

Make a plan to raise your rates

Once you’ve been babysitting for a little while and families keep calling you back, it’s totally okay to raise your rates. Most parents are happy to pay a little more for someone their kids love (and someone they know they can count on!). Just give families a heads-up a few weeks before so they know it's coming.

Pro tip: "I was a little nervous about raising my rates, but when I sent out my rate increases, everyone just said okay and kept on booking me."

Adjust your rate based on the job

Watching one toddler for an hour after school is pretty easy. But taking care of three kids through dinner, bedtime, and the late-night mess? That’s a lot more work. When you’re figuring out what to charge, think about what the job really looks like: how many kids you’ll be watching, what time it is, how long you’ll be there, and what you’ll be responsible for.

Some sitters start with a base rate, then charge a little more if the job's tougher, like if it will be really late or there are extra kids to watch.

Pro tip: "I sometimes charge more if it’s more than two kids, if I’m handling dinnertime and bedtime, or if it’s past midnight. It’s just more work and more responsibility, and parents get that."

Keep track of what you earn

One great way to measure your babysitting experience and progress is by tracking what you’re making. Try writing down the amount you got paid after each job. If you’re saving up for something, seeing that number grow can be an amazing motivator! You can also use Greenlight to set and track your savings goals.

Pro tip: "After each job, I write down what I made to see how close I am to my goal. It made it feel more legit."

Babysitting isn’t just playing games with kids for a few hours. You’ve got to be patient, stay calm when things get messy, and actually show up and follow through. If you’re clear about what you charge and you do a good job, parents notice, and they’ll keep coming back to you.

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