How much should you pay your babysitter?
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
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Being a twenty-something means, among other things, that I have twenty-something friends, many of whom have exactly the types of jobs you'd expect twenty-somethings to have.
So for
extra cash, a lot of them have second jobs. They bartend,
freelance, walk dogs, participate in focus groups. I have at least
one friend who makes a pretty good living as a test subject for
drug trials.
But those who aren't into side effects, drunk Cubs fans, or pooperscoopers babysit.
I was talking with one the other day who had answered an ad on Craigslist for a babysitter. She was talking with the mother and after the "making-sure-you're-not-a-psycho" cursory interview was wrapping up, the mother mentioned the pay rate: $7 an hour.
My friend promptly said, "No, thanks."
And I think she was totally justified. That's well below the Illinois state minimum wage of $8/hour and, quite frankly, just not worth the 20-minute drive out to the suburbs, where three kids -- including 3-year-old twins -- awaited.
As parents, you're expecting more of your babysitters. The neighborhood 12-year-old won't cut it anymore. You're asking for references, CPR certification and a clean driving record.
So your babysitters should expect more of you. More, certainly, than $7 an hour.
What do you think? How much do you pay your babysitters?
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Its not easyBy Amanda on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 The bottom line is,its no easy task to care for someone elses child,especially if you have children of your own. The facts are simple,if you want or need to work,you have to pay,or stay home! I hate when people feel the need to under pay a sitter as if its a less important job! Babysitting is just as important a title as anything else! |
Hold on!By megan on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 I have been babysitting since I was 12, and I have a method for figuring out wages as suggested by many other babysitters. For one child you charged $5 an hour, and for every additional child another dollar is added. So, if the family you are sitting for has four children that is $5 plus 3, so $8 an hour. A reminder that babysitting is not the same as nannying. Nannying is a career recognized by the government, nannies have to file taxes while babysitting is under the table. It stands to reason therefore that nannies are paid at least minimum wage while babysitters aren't. One more thing, Christy, it is not fair to have your babysitter housecleaning for you at that price (house-keepers are paid more money then that). |
To ChristyBy Sara on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 Wow, Christy, you're kind of underpaying your babysitter there, considering all of the other work she has to do! You probably don't know how hard it is for a babysitter to go into someone's house, and expect their kids to listen to them. She'll probably have her hands full with just the one year old-- And throw a 5 and 7 year old into the loop, plus cooking and house cleaning..? Not to mention, sending children to bed is usually a struggle in and of itself! Three young kids + Housekeeping + Feeding + Putting to Bed = MORE MONEY. Considering the fact that your kids are little and still need more attention than, say, a 10, 9, and 8 year old. At the very LEAST, up the pay to $10/per hour. |
by christyBy christy morton on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 I just hired a girl for 3 days a week 2 watch 3 kids...7,5, and 1. The pay is 9.00/hr. she will be watching them, cooking dinner, feeding them, cleaning house, and putting them to bed! |
$3By Lexi on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 I work for a lady who has a 5 year old and i get paid 3 dollars an hour and i usually work 5 hours a day. And Im 12 . do you think im getting under paid?? Tell me what you think?? |
PresidentBy Candi on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 Salary is negotiable directly with the nanny, but could range anywhere from $10-$15/hour on average. It varies depending on duties, experience and geographic location. http://www.nannies4hire.com |
Chicago BabysitterBy Erin Krex on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 A professional babysitter/nanny should get between $12-15 an hour. High school students should get $10-12 an hour. Make sure they have experience and CPR. For a Pro call First Class Care - 847-733-2700 |
Paying for BabysittingBy Marco P on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 My wife and I have a 20 month old son. We pay his nanny 13.50 an hour, and she deserves more. She loves my son like if he was her own, and he loves her too! She awesome and we could not imagine paying any less for her. We dont make a lot of money, but we would pay her more if we could. I think that yiu get what you pay for. |
I was paid way less!!!By Heather F on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 I babysat from the time I was 12 on through my 20's. I was the occasional night out sitter, though I have done "home daycare" since choosing to stay home with my boys. Really are you kidding me?????? $15 an hour???? I am only 31 and my best job paid me $4 for one infant. Most of the other families couldn't even afford that!!!!! Honestly, what people want nowadays is highway robbery!!!!!! I nannied 2 summers for a family with girls 5 and 7-and the pay was near what I made my first year teaching-$300 a week. I drove the girls to swim and dance lessons and hosted play dates. When I did in home daycare I charged my families $30 a day-way too cheap, but is all my families can afford! I hate to tell you that daycare is way more than what most families can afford!!!! When I hire a sitter I pay $7.50 for 2 kids ages 1 and 4. That's all we can afford-are we not entitled to the occasional night out? Live in reality with the rest of us-who make under $50K a year. $10 isn't possible! |
WOW!By Carly on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 Okay, let me start by saying that I was a nanny for 10 and a half years beginning at age 18 making $15/hour. The family I worked for was wealthy, so it was easy for them to pay this. In addition to this, I felt as though I was a part of their family. I put 110% into taking care of their kids. I loved them as if they were my own. Before them, I baby-sat for MANY families who paid me minimum wage to the penny! Although I ALWAYS took good care of their kids, I worked HARDER for those who weren't "cheap" with me. Not everyone could afford $15/hour, but they knew how important it was to have reliable, responsible and qualified people taking care of their children. Now I am a 31 year old parent who has to have someone else watch my child while I work part time as a teacher. My husband and I don't have money like the family I used to work for does, but we pay $12/ hour and feel SO lucky and blessed to find someone wonderful who works for this LOW rate. Yes, these days it is a LOW rate. If you can't afford to pay at least $10/ hour then you should send your kids to daycare instead. You have to pay for the one on one attention... You may disagree with me, but this is what I have experienced throughout my life thus far. |
payBy Sophia on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 Yes we expect more of babysitters, but few parents can really afford what babysitters are charging these days more than an occassional night out. Heaven forbid they actually need a sitter at that rate while they go to work, because many are probably ending up working for free then. |
babysitting fees...By Gabriel on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 So, my wife, our two kids (3 and 5) and I live in the Chicago suburbs, and we have been through a couple of babysitters over the last five years. Invariably, they are unwilling to work for less than $10/hr, cash. Our current babysitter works for $10/hr hourly, up to a daily max of $100/day if it runs to 12 or 14 hours to do nothing other than care for our kids (no cooking, cleaning, etc... needed). All cash. Realistically, that's like $13-$14 an hour, more than you can make working a semi-skilled job in the current market... |
No thanksBy Janelle on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 Asolutely not Baby sitters always get paid under minimum wage although 7 hr for three kids is a underpaid. Most people want 10/hr for one kid in this area I am originally from western,NY And I paid 7 for 2 kids under age 5. I think sitters have to be realisitc and account for age time of day etc... Are the kidis sleeping the whole time? Are they 8 and 10 and pretty much take care of themselves? I have no family around here and my son is having surgery I ahve to pay someone 10hr to watch my other son this is ridiculous and I RESENT HAVING TO PAY THAT MUCH. They can take them places and have more freedom than a desk job and it is more flexible. You cannot expect people to pay what an employer of a business would pay that is moronic. Plus remember this is tax free If you were to get 10 hr somewhere else it would be 7 after you pay taxes |
Pay up or stay home
By Valerie Kelly on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
I use to make $20 an hour for 2 kids 15 years ago. Now I'm a 36 year old stay at home mom with a 2 year old. With me not working, it's hard to make ends meet but, on the rare occasion we do go out I pay $15 an hour (usually weekends). Most babysitters in our area (Lincoln Park) don't take less than $12 an hour. I occasionally babysit swap with another friend which works out great. Now, I also babysit a 1 year old in my home 3 days a week and charge $12 an hour (food, diapers & wipes included). When I briefly went back to work we shared a Nanny with another family and she gave us a discounted rate of 12.50 an hour - 20 hours a week. You pay for age.