Babysitting -- Going rate?

Comments: 11

Nana to Seven Cutiepies Dec 7, 2006, 6:31pm EST

We live in Philadelphia, PA and the cheapest hourly rate is $5.00 and hour up to midnight and after that some girls add an additional amount. Most of these babysitters have certificates from school or church saying they went through and passed the babysitting courses offered.

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Connie C. Dec 7, 2006, 6:58pm EST

I have never hired a babysitter in my life.

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Sherry W. Dec 7, 2006, 8:23pm EST

This is why we don't go out - teenagers around here (also CA) want at least $10/hour, and some want more if there are multiple children. No way am I paying a kid without a college degree (heck, a high school diploma) that kind of money.

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capeach -. Dec 7, 2006, 9:26pm EST

Yikes Sherry! Where do you live!?! I'm in CA too and the few people I've asked have said $5/hour for the first child. Each additional child is like approx. $1-$2 extra after the $5 for the first child (per hour). I haven't heard of the extra $ after midnight. That $ doesn't mean that they have taken a babysitting course either. I sure wish I could find one who had taken a course though! I took a course when I babysat, but I haven't heard of many who do these days.

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Susan *. Dec 7, 2006, 9:40pm EST

It's been awhile since we had a baby sitter but I think we paid her $5 or $6 an hour plus a bonus since she was so good to the kids...I live in Iowa though in a University town and have friends who pay as much as $10 an hour for a good sitter with multiple kids.

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Sherry W. Dec 8, 2006, 12:10am EST

We're in Northern CA.

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Erika R Dec 11, 2006, 12:31pm EST

I have no idea, but I should know as I had a sitter this past Friday night. I keep asking our sitters what they charge and none of them have a set amount so we just decide on what seems fair. I gave her $20 for staying w/ my daughter for about 5 hours that night. Half the time she was there my daughter was sleeping.

**AngelEyez** a. Dec 10, 2009, 10:43am EST

I agree with that,and most people will be more then fair when paying the babysitter.. I used to do this,,and most times I didnt know what to charge Id say like $3 an hour or $20 for all night,and Id get $30-50 for an all nighter or 30 for a few hours,just depended on the family

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shelby bowles Dec 10, 2009, 10:13am EST

I am a babysitter in indianapolis and i am 16. I charg 5 dollars an hour and thats the most common rate i see. I also negotiate about hours and bargain so try bargaining. The cheapest rate per hour is probably going to be 4-5 dollars an hour.

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**AngelEyez** a. Dec 10, 2009, 10:42am EST

Oh hunny thats wayyyy to much,heck I was lucky to get 20$ for 5 or 6 hours of babysitting.. I only ever charged like 3$an hour,and yea that was back like 12 years ago but still, it adds up quickly,I really think you should lower yours... thats a bit high..

**AngelEyez** a. Dec 10, 2009, 10:45am EST

Just my opinion its been awhile since I have done this lol,so I could be in the wrong for suggesting going down a dollar or 2.

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Babysitting -- Going rate?

Comments: 11

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