How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?



Posted: Tuesday, January 15, 2008

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Wondering how much to pay a babysitter?  A lot of factors will go into figuring out the right answer for both you and your sitter.  These factors include location, experience of the sitter and number of children being watched.

Recently reports indicate that hourly ranges for babysitters usually run anywhere from $5.00 to $15.00. The best way to determine the going rate in your neighborhood is to ask around.  Ask your friends and neighbors how much they pay for their own babysitters.

Once you have established what reasonable rates are for your area, it is a good idea to discuss pay expectations before hiring a new babysitter. Parents can start by asking the sitter how much he or she usually charges. You may have to negotiate in order to reach an amount that you both can agree upon.
   
If you use a babysitter matchmaking service each sitter will post his or her experience and also the range of pay that is expected.  This way you will know exactly what the sitter is looking for before you go any further in the process.

Keep in mind, however, that if you find that you are happy with your babysitter, no matter what you first agreed upon, be sure to pay him or her well. It is important to realize that really good babysitters are pretty scarce, and you may want to consider paying a good sitter slightly more than the going rate.  This way your babysitter will make your family a priority and be there when you need them.
 Beth Howland is a reviewer of parenting products like Sittercity. If you need help finding the right sitter for your family, visit http://www.SittercityReview.com for more information.

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