Frugal Babysitting – Determining a Fair Babysitter Rate.  Have you finally found a good babysitter but have no idea what to pay them and what charges for babysitting are considered fair? You’re not alone, this is a common dilemma for parents. They want to pay a reasonable rate to a babysitter but they also don’t want to pay more than they need to. Luckily there are certain things to consider that should help you determine a fair babysitting rate.

The average babysitting rate these days is typically around $10 per hour but babysitting wages can vary widely anywhere from as little as $5 per hour all the way up to $17 per hour or more! The reason for such a wide range is due to three main factors: location, experience, and number of children being cared for:

Location of Family. Where you live does play a role in what to pay a babysitter. Typically, if you live in a large city like New York where the cost of living is higher, babysitting rates are also higher when compared to smaller cities and rural areas. Babysitting is a job like any else so babysitter rates will be affected by the location you are currently living in.

Experience of Babysitter. How much experience a babysitter has is one of the most important considerations in determining a reasonable babysitting rate. A high school student with little or no experience would normally earn less than an experienced adult. All other factors aside, teenagers are often happy to babysit for $5 per hour whereas an adult with a number of years experience would expect at least $10 per hour. It really all depends on your childcare requirements and what type of babysitter you are comfortable with caring for your children; It’s a personal choice.

Number of Children. This is pretty much a given; the more children you have needing a babysitter, the more work it’s going to be for a babysitter and the more money you should consider paying them. How much extra should you pay for looking after more than a single child? It can vary but usually around $1 or $2 per additional child is most common these days.