✦ NEW 2026 babysitter rates updated — national average $18–$23/hr See rates →
Free · Updated May 2026

Know exactly what to pay
your babysitter

Precise pay in seconds — hourly rate, kids, overnight, holiday & weekend premiums. The most complete babysitter pay calculator for 2026.

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Updated monthly
US · UK · CA · AU
$18–23
National avg/hr
+$3–5
Per extra child
250k+
Families served
$
Children
Age group
$
Overtime after 8 hours
1.5× for hours beyond 8
Night rate (10pm–6am)
+25% overnight
Weekend surcharge
+15% Sat & Sun
Holiday premium
+50% special occasions
$
$0.67/mile
$
Tip

Mileage at $0.67/mile (IRS 2024) · Not tax or legal advice

Suggested hourly rate by experience:

Entry level
No experience
$12–$16/hr
Some experience
1–2 years, refs
$16–$21/hr
Experienced
3+ yrs, CPR
$21–$30/hr
Professional
ECE background
$30–$45/hr
Full rate guide →

Enter session total to calculate tip:

$

Tipping is appreciated for exceptional care, holidays, and infants.

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Rates updated monthly
US · UK · Canada · Australia
Tax estimator included
250,000+ families
2026 National Rates

Babysitter rates by experience

National averages for one child in a suburban area. Full rate guide →

Entry Level
$12–$16/hr

Teen or first-time sitter. Best with older children, parent check-ins ideal.

No CPR requiredNew to babysittingSupervision ideal
★ Most Common
Some Experience
$16–$21/hr

1–2 years babysitting, references available. Comfortable being left alone.

1–2 years exp.Good referencesComfortable solo
Experienced
$21–$30/hr

3+ years, CPR & First Aid certified. A trusted household sitter.

3+ yearsCPR certifiedStrong references
Professional
$30–$45/hr

Early childhood education. Treats childcare as a career.

ECE backgroundNanny experiencePremium care
By City

What families pay across the US

NYC and SF can run 30–40% above national average.

$18–23
National avg/hr
+$3–5
Per extra child/hr
$50–100
Overnight bonus
15–50%
Weekend/holiday
CityRate rangeMarketvs. Avg
New York City $23–$40
+32%
San Francisco $23–$42
+35%
Los Angeles $21–$37
+22%
Seattle $20–$34
+14%
Boston $19–$31
+8%
Chicago $19–$32
+7%
Denver $18–$30
+2%
Houston $17–$28
-3%
Atlanta $17–$28
-3%

For one child. Full city guide →

Resources

Everything about babysitter pay

📋

2026 Rate Guide

National average $18–$23/hr. By experience, city, age group and every factor.

Read more →
⚖️

Nanny vs Babysitter

Full pay, duty and tax comparison. Know which childcare option fits your family.

Read more →
💰

Tax Calculator 2026

SE tax, take-home pay, quarterly deadlines — free babysitter tax estimator.

Read more →
❓

Interview Questions

50+ questions to ask a babysitter — safety, experience, references and pay.

Read more →
🌙

Overnight Rates

3-phase overnight pay: evening rate + sleep bonus + morning care explained.

Read more →
🚨

Emergency Babysitter

8 ways to find a last-minute sitter fast — apps, groups, and what to pay.

Read more →
FAQ

Babysitter pay questions, answered

The national average babysitter rate in 2026 is $18–$23 per hour for one child in a suburban area. Entry-level teen sitters start around $12–$16/hr, while experienced professionals with CPR certification earn $21–$30/hr. In major metros like New York City or San Francisco, professional sitters command $35–$50/hr. Add $3–5/hr per additional child.
Multiply your hourly rate by total hours worked. Then add: $3–5/hr per additional child, an overnight flat bonus of $50–$100 if staying past midnight, and a 15–50% premium for weekends or holidays. Our free calculator above handles all of this automatically — just enter start and end time.
Yes — completely legal and very common. Cash payments do not change either party's tax obligations. Venmo and Zelle are also fine. Tag payments as "personal" so they do not trigger an unnecessary 1099-K from payment apps.
The standard is $3–5 per additional child per hour. For two children add $3–5/hr to your base rate. For three children add $6–10/hr total. Some sitters prefer a flat fee per extra child — both approaches are widely accepted.
A typical overnight rate includes the regular hourly rate for active evening care, a flat overnight bonus of $50–$100 while the child sleeps, and the regular rate again for morning care. A full 10–12 hour overnight stay typically totals $160–$280 depending on city and experience level.
Tipping is not required but appreciated for last-minute bookings, holiday sessions, exceptional care, or sessions with multiple young children. A 10–20% tip is common and always welcome.

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