New York · 2026
Babysitting rates in New York
What families pay nationally, how New York wages compare, and the pay rules that apply in the state.
Short answer
Expect the top of the national range of $20–$26 an hour for one child. Childcare workers in New York earn a median of $18.07/hr, about 7% higher than the U.S. median of $16.82/hr.
New York childcare wages at a glance
- Median, New York
- $18.07/hr
- Compared with the U.S.
- +7%
- Middle half earn
- $17.03–$21.02
- Rank among 50 states and D.C.
- 8 of 51
Areas in New York
Childcare wages run from $16.17/hr in Watertown-Fort Drum to $18.21/hr in New York-Newark-Jersey City. In the higher-wage areas, expect babysitting rates toward the top of the national range.
| Area | Median, per hour | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey CityMetro area · NY–NJ | $18.21 | +8% |
| IthacaMetro area | $17.99 | +7% |
| KingstonMetro area | $17.48 | +4% |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-NewburghMetro area | $17.42 | +4% |
| Albany-Schenectady-TroyMetro area | $17.39 | +3% |
| BinghamtonMetro area | $17.25 | +3% |
| Glens FallsMetro area | $17.05 | +1% |
| Buffalo-CheektowagaMetro area | $17.03 | +1% |
| Utica-RomeMetro area | $16.92 | +1% |
| RochesterMetro area | $16.87 | Even |
| Southwest New York (nonmetro area)Rural (nonmetro) area | $16.68 | −1% |
| SyracuseMetro area | $16.53 | −2% |
| Capital/Northern New York (nonmetro area)Rural (nonmetro) area | $16.51 | −2% |
| ElmiraMetro area | $16.43 | −2% |
| Central East New York (nonmetro area)Rural (nonmetro) area | $16.38 | −3% |
| Watertown-Fort DrumMetro area | $16.17 | −4% |
Pay rules in New York
Minimum wage. New York's minimum wage is $16.00 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2026. $17.00 in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester; $16.00 in the rest of the state.
Casual babysitting (irregular or occasional, usually 20 hours a week or less, and not the sitter’s vocation) is exempt from the federal minimum wage and overtime. Nannies and regular sitters are covered: at least $16/hr for every hour under New York law where it applies, and never less than the federal $7.25, plus overtime at 1.5× after 40 hours in a week unless they live in your home.
New York Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights
- Overtime at 1.5× the regular rate after 40 hours a week, or after 44 hours for workers who live in the employer's home.
- A 24-hour day of rest every seven days, or overtime pay if the worker agrees to work that day.
- Three paid days of rest a year after one year with the same employer.
- People working on a casual basis and relatives of the employer are not covered.
Use it tonight
Pick a rate, then work out exactly what you owe, including past-midnight endings, extra kids and a tip.
- Babysitter pay calculatorStart and end time, rate, kids and tip.
- Rates for two or more kids$29.87/hr nationally for two children.
- Nanny pay calculatorWeekly gross pay with overtime, including New York rules.
- Babysitter taxes in 2026When household-employer taxes apply.
Compare with other states
- VermontNext higher median: $18.29/hr (about 9% higher than the U.S.)
- New HampshireNext lower median: $17.83/hr (about 6% higher than the U.S.)
- All statesChildcare wages and minimum wages for the 50 states and D.C.
- National babysitting rates 2026Care.com, Sittercity and UrbanSitter, side by side.
SitterRate for iPhone
New York areas, in the app
SitterRate's Rate Guide includes all 16 New York areas listed here alongside the national benchmarks, works offline, and never asks for your location.
- Pick your area once; the app remembers it
- Use a rate in the calculator with one tap
- Save each sitter's agreed rate and see what you paid last time
- Keep a simple paid/unpaid history
Get SitterRateFree on the App Store · iPhoneFree download. Pro is a one-time in-app purchase, with no subscription. What’s in the app
New York: common questions
How much do babysitters charge in New York?
No source publishes a babysitting rate for New York that we can show. Nationally, families pay about $20 to $26 an hour for one child in 2026. Childcare workers in New York earn a median of $18.07/hr, about 7% higher than the U.S. median, which points toward the top of the national range.
What is the minimum wage for a babysitter in New York?
New York's minimum wage is $16.00 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2026. Under federal law, babysitters working on a casual basis (irregular, usually 20 hours a week or less, and not their vocation) are exempt from minimum wage and overtime; regular sitters and nannies are not. $17.00 in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester; $16.00 in the rest of the state.
Do nannies in New York get overtime?
Yes. Overtime at 1.5× the regular rate after 40 hours a week, or after 44 hours for workers who live in the employer's home. Federal law also requires 1.5× pay after 40 hours a week for nannies who don't live in the home.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.Childcare Workers (SOC 39-9011), state and area wage percentiles.
- U.S. Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026)Checked against state sources on October 1, 2026.
- 29 CFR Part 552: domestic service, including casual babysitting
- UrbanSitter, “Babysitting Rates by City (2026),” last updated January 2026.
- Sittercity, “Average Babysitter & Nanny Pay Rates by US City,” Sittercity provider data, May 2026.
- Care.com, “How much does a babysitter cost?” updated February 12, 2026.