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What factors do you consider when deciding how much to pay a babysitter per hour? The time of day, meals, duration, travel, etc?

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Since I have asked a similar question, which indeed got closed, I would like to propose to have this question remain open. We could use the big mac index to compare the figures. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Mac_Index – user35 Mar 30 '11 at 16:47

3 Answers

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If the babysitter does it routinely, as a job, I would ask them first what their rate was. From there you can possibly negotiate if you feel there is room for it - your situation is less demanding than the norm may be, or there is some other perk for the sitter.

You may encounter sitters like I have though - they do it routinely, but have no fixed rate. They let the parent set the rate and (I would hope) begin negotiating if they feel they are being lowballed. In that case you're going to need to ask around some to get a ballpark rate. When making an offer based on rates you've heard from other parents, make sure to consider any differences between the situations, such as:

  • Number of children being watched
  • Distance the sitter must travel
  • Time of day / Day of week (School night vs weekend, for instance)
  • Obviously, number of hours.
  • Perks you can offer, such as a meal or transportation to and from your house.
  • Whether they even need to interact with the child - sitting may only be needed after bedtime.
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A non-cash perk would also be to pick-up the sitter from the station and/or drive the sitter home afterward. – Torben Gundtofte-Bruun♦ Mar 30 '11 at 17:38
True, and I should break out the "perks" consideration into the list at the end to make it more clear. Thanks. – Saiboogu Mar 30 '11 at 17:48
GREAT answer, I even have a different rate with one of my families whether I am watching during his waking hours vs. his sleeping hours. But you forgot experience and qualifications. For example, Teenage babysitters should definitely make a different amount than an adult with a lot of experience over years with kids. Does your babysitter also act as tutor or homework helper in the afterschool hours? If so, that person should get a little extra, specifically if they have training in helping kids with homework. Does your sitter know CPR and First Aid? pay a little extra for that too. – balanced mama Jul 9 '12 at 1:48
up vote 2 down vote

Babysitters charge what they deem to be right, in my experience, and if you can afford it, you pay. In my experience, in London, a babysitter would cost us between £30 and £40 a night, or about £8 an hour. Now we're in a more rural part of the country, they seem to charge less.

As with all service companies/industries, they'll charge what they think they can get; it is simple economics

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up vote 2 down vote

Age, experience, and enthusiasm are things to consider as well. I would be willing to pay a college student far more than I would someone in high school because of the difference in maturity and life skills. Also, the fact that a college student has bills to pay would yield a higher wage. Enthusiasm is the most important though. Is the sitter going to watch television with the kids or take them to the park and play with them? I would want the person watching my children to actually take an interest in them and make sure they had a good time.

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