How to Pay a Babysitter

Forget how much you got paid to babysit when you were a teenager or college student. According to Urban Sitter's 2013 National Childcare Rate Survey of nearly 6,000 families, the babysitting rate typically ranges from $9.50 to $14 per hour -- and, that's just for one child. An important part of paying your babysitter is negotiating or contracting a rate before she arrives on the job for the first time.

Instructions

    • 1

      Ask friends how much they pay their babysitters. This will give you an idea of the going rate in your area. Rates will likely vary among high school and college students, versus older, more experienced sitters. In general, babysitters get paid a base rate per hour for one child. Then, they usually get paid more -- often $1 or $2 extra per hour -- for each additional child. Time of day can affect rates as well. A late-night sitting job pays more than a daytime job.

    • 2

      Ask your sitter her going rate for a family your size and age as part of the interview process. Compare her rate with what you learned from your friends. If her rate is too high, don't hire her. But, if you really like her, tell her what you're willing to pay. It should still be a fair rate for your community. On the other hand, if her rate is less than expected, you can accept her offer, or tell her that babysitting is worth more to you than that and then tell her your rate.

    • 3

      Pay the sitter in cash with exact change at the end of the job. Rather than breaking it down to the minute, round up to the quarter or half hour. For example, if she babysat for three hours and 10 minutes, pay her for 3 1/4 to 3 1/2 hours. If she tells you that a kid was a challenge -- perhaps he cried a long time -- then tip her. You can also add a couple extra dollars if you arrived home later than expected, it was bath night or she surprised you with something, such as cleaning up the kitchen.

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