Babysitter Pay Rates

Here in Austin, Texas, if the babysitter is in Middle school, it is $8.00 per hour. If they are in High School it is $10.00 per hour and $2.00 per extra child per hour. College sitters usually get $12.00 per hour and again $2.00 more per child per hour..

I live in Schnecksville, PA & have 2 kids age 7 & 9. We pay $8/hr, but have paid up to $10 for high school aged sitter.

I would definitely pay a mothers helper less but not sure a good rate, probably $5/hr.

I live in Allentown and I have one 3 year old daughter. For my highschool age babysitters, I pay $7/hour for one child. For two--three kids I would increase it to $8/hr. I feel like it is better than most minimum wage jobs, in terms of fun for them and also in pay. Also, if you go out at night, I consider that the babysitter may only be with children who are awake for part of the evening. Occasionally if it's around Christmas time or if I know the babysitter is saving for something in particular--like a trip--I will round things up a bit or pay a up to $10/hr. I also try to have a 3 hour minimum time frame. I try to think about factors such as driving time, especially if they don't have their own car and have to be dropped off and picked up.

One of my babysitters is really great about doing light housework after my daughter is in bed--dishes, etc. I especially leave a few suggestions like that if she is going to be there for a while after bedtime--like til 10 or 11. I remember being bored to tears after the kids went to bed as a babysitter (even with tv or books available). It can be hard to relax in someone else's home. Having the option to leave dishes in the sink the night I'm going out really made the it easier to swallow paying so much.

Besides the fact that I want my babysitters to take their job very seriously! I want them to think of my child as their most important priority--to play with them, to read to them, and keep their safety in mind at all times, just like I would. It must sound like I go out a lot, but that's not the case. I think on average my husband and I make it out together once a month!

As a final note--I know this is long! I would whomever you want to hire come at least once as a mother's helper so they can get used to your kids and house while you are still safely in reach. It will put both of you at ease, and will prevent a lot of minor mishaps.

My babysitter is an experienced nanny. She charges $10/hr. We're in Silver Spring, MD.

I know the girl we having sitting for us won't do it for less then 10 per hour... (And we only have one child)

I think people pay their babysitters too much! LOL - if they are teachers or cerfitied nannys then I agree 10-12 per hour. But for a middle schooler / high schooler I wouldn't pay 10 bucks an hour! Maybe I'm cheap. lol :-)

$10 an hour here in Michigan is pretty expected if I am looking for a college student.

I'm in Pittsburgh, and we use two different baby sitters, both of whom get $10/hour for one child. Haven't tried the mother's helper though, can't comment on that.

I pay my babysitter 8 dollars an hour. This is regardless of its in her home or mine and if there are 5 kids around or just my son. She is college educated and has been a preschool teacher for many years. As far as your question, you can use a younger girl (middle school) if you are home and pay 6 dollars or an older HS age girl when you are not home for 8 dollars. I think that is fair. Of course you can always tip her a little more. When I was babysitting in college (it was Greenwich, Ct) I asked for 12 dollars an hour but even then (10 years ago) that was a crazy high price but they paid it!

Wow, I can't believe the $ amount on some of the other responses! My sitter is in high school (16 years old) she has baby sitting certification from school and certified in first aid and cpr. She requested 5.00 an hour for my 2 year old! We always gave her extra money to help her reach her goals or earning for specific items. Like a guitar was her goal last summer so we would always give her a little extra. Maybe I was just lucky with finding her. I don't know, she is my only sitter.

Good Luck!