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PayMyBabysitter
Free Tool

How Much Should You Pay
Your Babysitter?

Get a personalized rate based on your location, number of kids, and sitter experience. Updated for 2026.

Calculate your rateWhat affects pay

$20.57[2]

National average / hr

$26.24[1]

Urban average / hr

+4.9%[1]

Year-over-year increase

What affects babysitter pay?

Three key factors determine what you should pay your sitter.

Location

Cost of living is the biggest factor. Sitters in San Francisco earn nearly $30/hr while rates in lower-cost areas start around $15/hr.

More Kids

Each additional child typically adds $2 to $5 per hour. Two children usually increases the rate by about 20%.

Experience & Duties

Professional sitters with CPR certification or extra duties like driving and meal prep command $3 to $7 more per hour.

Calculate your babysitter rate

Select your state and details to get a personalized rate recommendation.

Babysitter Rate Calculator

Babysitter rates by city

Average hourly rates for one child in 15 major US cities.

CityStateAvg Rate / hr
San FranciscoCA$29.35
SeattleWA$28.70
HonoluluHI$27.85
New York CityNY$27.40
BostonMA$25.52
Washington DCDC$25.10
DenverCO$24.60
Los AngelesCA$24.20
AustinTX$23.39
CharlotteNC$23.56
ChicagoIL$22.21
AtlantaGA$20.78
ColumbusOH$19.98
DallasTX$19.25
San AntonioTX$18.21
View all city rates →

Frequently asked questions

Yes. A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) lets you set aside pre-tax dollars for childcare, including babysitting, as long as the care enables you (and your spouse, if married) to work or look for work. The child must be under 13. You will need your sitter's SSN or TIN when filing Form 2441 at tax time, but you do not need it on every receipt. Calculate your DCFSA savings. SitterSync generates DCFSA-ready receipts and tracks all payments for easy documentation.
The Child and Dependent Care Credit covers 20% to 35% of qualifying childcare expenses, up to $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more. Your babysitter qualifies as a care provider as long as the care enables you to work. You will need your sitter's SSN or TIN on Form 2441 when filing your taxes. SitterSync tracks every payment and session so you have everything ready at tax time.
The national average babysitter rate for one child is $20.57 per hour. In major urban areas, the average rises to $26.24 per hour. Rates vary significantly by location, experience level, number of children, and additional duties.
Most sitters charge an additional $2 to $5 per hour for a second child, which works out to roughly 20% more. For a third child, expect another $2 to $3 on top of that. Some experienced sitters set a flat multi-child rate instead of per-child increases.
Teen babysitters typically earn $3 to $5 less per hour than adult sitters. For a teen with limited experience, $12 to $16 per hour is common in most markets. Teens with CPR certification or significant experience may charge closer to adult rates.
Yes, it is common to pay a premium for non-standard hours. Weekend evenings typically add $1 to $2 per hour. Holiday rates are often $3 to $5 more per hour, and some sitters charge time-and-a-half on major holidays like New Year's Eve.
Tipping is not required but is a kind gesture for exceptional service. If you choose to tip, 10% to 20% of the total pay is standard. Other ways to show appreciation include rounding up, holiday bonuses, or a small gift card.

Sources

Rate data and tax information referenced throughout this site.

  1. 1
    UrbanSitterurbansitter.com

    National babysitter rate survey and cost data. Average hourly rate benchmarks by city and region.

  2. 2
    ParentCalcparentcalc.com

    Childcare cost calculator and rate analysis. Rate multipliers for number of children, experience levels.

  3. 3
    Care.comcare.com

    Babysitter pay rates and cost of care reports. State-by-state rate averages and special occasion premiums.

  4. 4
    PayScalepayscale.com

    Babysitter and nanny salary data. Experience-based pay differentials and professional rate tiers.

  5. 5
    TrustedCaretrustedcare.com

    Babysitting rate guidelines by state. Regional cost-of-living adjustments and weekend/holiday premiums.

  6. 6
    FSAFEDS.govfsafeds.gov

    Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA) program details. DCFSA annual contribution limits and eligible dependent care expenses.

  7. 7
    HealthEquityhealthequity.com

    Dependent Care FSA savings estimator. Tax savings calculations and DCFSA benefit estimation methodology.

  8. 8
    IRS Publication 503irs.gov

    Child and Dependent Care Expenses. Form 2441 requirements (provider SSN/TIN at tax time), eligible expense definitions.

  9. 9
    Sittercitysittercity.com

    Babysitter pay rate trends and data. Additional duty pay premiums and overnight rate calculations.

  10. 10
    US Department of Laborbls.gov

    Occupational employment and wage statistics. Federal wage data for childcare workers and regional comparisons.

Know your rate. Now manage the rest.

SitterSync makes it easy to book sessions, pay your sitter, and track every payment with DCFSA-ready receipts, all in one place.

Try SitterSync Free →