For sitters
How much to charge for babysitting
A starting rate from the national numbers, the reasons to charge more, and the terms worth agreeing on before the first night.
Short answer
Most U.S. sitters charge about $20 to $26 an hour for one child in 2026, and more for each additional child (about $30 for two). Start near the middle, then move up for experience, more kids, infants, driving and late nights.
Setting your rate in four steps
- Start from the national figures. $19.81/hr is the average starting rate sitters post on Care.com; $23/hr is Sittercity’s typical listed rate; $26.24/hr is what families paid on average through UrbanSitter.
- Check your area. Compare local childcare wages with the U.S. median on your state page. Above the median, aim higher.
- Price the job, not just the hour. More kids, an infant, special needs, driving, homework help or cooking all justify more. UrbanSitter notes sitters with certifications or early-childhood degrees command higher rates.
- Put your terms in writing. Rate per child, minimum hours, late-night or holiday rates, cancellation and gas. See cancellation, minimums and gas money.
| Week | Hours | Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Two date nights | 8 | $184.00 |
| After school, 3 days | 9 | $207.00 |
| After school, 5 days | 15 | $345.00 |
| Summer, part time | 25 | $575.00 |
Get paid for every minute
Agree up front how time is counted: exact minutes, or rounded to the nearest 15 minutes, with a minimum for short jobs. If a family comes home late, the extra time is paid at your rate, and past midnight still counts as the same session.
Families can use the babysitter pay calculator to see exactly what’s owed; it shows rounding and minimums on the receipt.
Teen sitters
Teen sitters usually charge less than adults; UrbanSitter puts the typical teen range at $8.50 to $17 an hour. See teen babysitter rates for how age, experience and duties change it, and the rules that apply to sitters under 18.
What childcare jobs pay, for comparison
Employed childcare workers, mostly in daycare centers and schools, earned a median of $16.82/hr in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Private babysitting usually pays more per hour, though without the steady hours.
SitterRate for iPhone
Track your hours and send a clear total
Start SitterRate's timer when you arrive, and at the end of the night share an itemized summary with the family: time, rate, extras and total.
- Live timer that keeps going through a locked screenPro
- Itemized plain-text summary to text or email
- Save each family's rate, extra-child amount and minimum
- History with paid and unpaid sessions
Get SitterRateFree on the App Store · iPhoneFree download. Pro is a one-time in-app purchase, with no subscription. What’s in the app
Questions people ask
How much should I charge for babysitting?
Nationally in 2026, sitters list or are paid about $20 to $26 an hour for one child: Care.com's average posted starting rate is $19.81/hr, Sittercity's typical listed rate is $23/hr, and families paid $26.24/hr on average through UrbanSitter. Adjust for your area, experience, the number of kids and duties.
How much do babysitters make a week?
It depends on hours. Two 4-hour date nights at $23/hr is $184.00; 15 hours of after-school care at that rate is $345.00.
Should I charge more for two kids?
Yes, most sitters do. In UrbanSitter's 2026 booking data, families paid $29.87/hr for two children vs. $26.24/hr for one. Rules of thumb add $0.50 to $2 an hour per extra child.
Should I set a minimum number of hours?
Many sitters do for short jobs, because getting there and back takes the same time however long the job is. Say it when you agree on the rate, not at the end of the night.
Do I have to pay taxes on babysitting money?
Babysitting income is taxable. If you are self-employed, self-employment tax applies once your net earnings reach $400 for the year. If you are a family's household employee, they handle Social Security and Medicare once they pay you $3,000 in 2026, unless you are under 18 and a student.
Sources
- Care.com, “How much does a babysitter cost?” updated February 12, 2026.
- Sittercity, “Average Babysitter & Nanny Pay Rates by US City,” Sittercity provider data, May 2026.
- UrbanSitter, “Babysitting Rates by City (2026),” last updated January 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- IRS Topic 554, Self-employment tax
- IRS Publication 926 (2026)