For Babysitters · 2026
How Much to Charge for Babysitting in 2026
Whether you're a teen just starting out or an experienced sitter with CPR certification, use this guide to set a rate that's fair, competitive, and worth your time.
$12–$16
Teen / beginner rate
No formal experience, local market entry
$16–$23
Some experience
1–2 years, references, left alone comfortably
$23–$35
Experienced / CPR
3+ years, CPR certified, strong references
What rate should you charge?
Your babysitting rate depends on four main factors: your location, your experience level, the number and age of children, and any special responsibilities.
Rates by experience level
| Experience | Suggested Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| No experience (teen) | $10–$16/hr | Start at market low; build reputation first |
| Some experience (1–2 yrs) | $16–$21/hr | Comfortable being left alone, has references |
| Experienced (3+ yrs) | $21–$30/hr | CPR certified, trusted, strong references |
| Professional (ECE) | $30–$45/hr | Early childhood education background |
Use the pay calculator
See exactly what you'll earn for any session — enter your rate, hours, number of kids and extras.
Open pay calculator →How to raise your rates
Get CPR & First Aid certified
The single biggest credential boost. Families pay $3–5/hr more for CPR-certified sitters. Course costs $50–$80 and covers babysitters specifically.
Build 5+ references
Ask every family for a reference email or text. Five strong references justify moving to the next rate tier.
Specialize (infants or special needs)
Infant and special needs babysitting commands $3–8/hr above standard rates. Specialization = premium pay.
Add extra kids surcharge
Always charge $3–5/hr per additional child. Never drop your rate for larger families — more kids means more work.
Charge for weekends & holidays
Add 10–15% for Saturday/Sunday and 25–50% for holidays. These are industry-standard premiums.
Rates by city — what the market pays
| City | Entry rate/hr | Experienced rate/hr | vs. National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | $18–$24 | $28–$45 | +32% |
| San Francisco | $20–$26 | $30–$46 | +35% |
| Los Angeles | $17–$22 | $26–$40 | +22% |
| Seattle | $17–$22 | $26–$42 | +14% |
| Boston | $16–$21 | $24–$38 | +8% |
| Chicago | $15–$20 | $24–$40 | +7% |
| Denver | $15–$19 | $23–$38 | +2% |
| Austin | $15–$19 | $22–$36 | +2% |
| Houston | $14–$18 | $21–$34 | −3% |
| Dallas | $14–$18 | $21–$33 | −4% |
| Atlanta | $14–$18 | $21–$33 | −4% |
| Nashville | $14–$18 | $21–$33 | −4% |
| Orlando | $13–$17 | $20–$31 | −8% |
| San Antonio | $13–$17 | $20–$30 | −8% |
Rates for one child. Add $3–5/hr per additional child. Sources: UrbanSitter 2026, Care.com Cost of Care Report 2026.
FAQ
Babysitter rate questions, answered
Teen babysitters (13–17) typically charge $10–$16/hr depending on experience and location. Major cities pay $14–$18/hr for teens. Starting near the local market rate shows professionalism — check Care.com or ask parents in your area.
First-time babysitters without references should start 10–15% below the local average rate to build experience. For most US cities, that means $12–$16/hr. After 5–10 successful jobs, raise your rate to market level.
Raise your rates after completing CPR/First Aid certification (+$2–4/hr), after 1 year of experience with strong references (+$2–3/hr), after getting a college degree in education/childcare (+$3–5/hr), or when local market rates increase.
Yes — add $3–5/hr per additional child beyond the first. Two children: add $3–5/hr. Three children: add $6–10/hr total. You can also charge a flat "family rate" rather than a per-child premium — both approaches are widely accepted.
Overnight babysitting has three components: your regular hourly rate while children are awake, a flat sleep bonus of $50–$100, and your regular rate again from wake-up. Most overnight sessions pay $160–$280 total for 10–12 hours.