The Many Aspects That Change Babysitter Rates

Several families, at one point or another, will probably end up using a baby sitter. The babysitter rates change based on number of factors, like whether you have your sibling watch over them or if you outsource. Let’s assume that you’re looking for a random baby sitter that you plan to pay a standard rate.

If you’re hiring someone to watch over you kids, then there’s a difference between nannies and baby sitters. Pay, of course, is one big reason, as sitters are based on a “one-time” basis, an average of $15/hr. Nannies are paid consistently since they’re around/available 24/7 and it equates to around $8/hr, which is half as much. Another of many factors is that a baby sitter is just for supervision, where a nanny is supposed to act as a parent when they’re not there, or to help when they are.

The sitter itself should be paid based on several qualifying factors. How long they’ve been baby sitting, is one. There’s also how many children you have that they’ll be watching, how old the sitter is (not just their experience), and where they’ll be doing the sitting. The reason for location shouldn’t depend on the level of responsibility but rather the cost of living for that particular area.

What you end up paying for a baby sitter will also, obviously, depend on how often you use them. The rates for a baby sitter will change based on whether they are watching your children for one night or if they come over every Wednesday and Thursday (as an example). Basically, having an unwritten contract with a baby sitter offers them constant pay, so you can pay them less, since you’ll be paying more often.

While needing a baby sitter more often or on a consistent basis seems like the job for a nanny, it isn’t. If you are looking for a baby sitter, then you are just basically hiring someone to be there “just in case” while you aren’t home. They aren’t required to help your children develop, or take over parenting responsibilities.

In the end, babysitter rates differ everywhere in so many ways. These are just some of the factors you should consider when paying your baby sitter. As always, one would have to base pay on both need and availability of the the baby sitter and the parent.

Next, find more resources on finding great babysitters in your area from online babysitting services including the very popular Sittercity.com.