How Much Should I Pay per Hour for Someone to Help Around the House?

Updated on January 22, 2011
J.D. asks from Northbrook, IL
8 answers

How much should I pay an hour for someone to help around the house?

I'm trying to find someone to come help at the house a 2-3 times a week, for anywhere from 30 min - 2 hrs each time. It totally depends on the day. 95% light housework (dishes, laundry, straightening up).

Maybe help with various organizing tasks if there's nothing else to do. Maybe helping with my kindergartener if I'm completely tapped out. How much would I pay?

No vacuuming, no scrubbing, no windows, no changing sheets. I don't iron anyway, so probably not even that. I have a cleaning lady already that comes every other week.

I'm looking for someone that has their own transportation, if that factors into the pay. My husband works from home. I would most likely be home too. I'm a stay at home mom with health problems, and I just can't keep up with all of the day-to-day stuff.

ETA: On Sittercity, ages have been 18-50

Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thx for the recommendations and comments so far. I welcome more. I get the "batching" hours. Good idea. None of my stuff is time sensitive. I can't predict, though, how sick i'll be on any given day. But I do think that it may be possible to find someone that is close or passes by my area and is cool with helping out for a short time on their way to something else. I'm not looking for a nanny. Laundry and dishes are my main thing. I've never looked for help like this and understand it's a strange request. I have no idea how to really structure it or how it will really work out. I just know I'm drowning and need help. I'm disabled but i can get around enough that I don't qualify for insurance paid home help. Sorry if my post upset some of you

Featured Answers

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K.R.

answers from San Diego on

is there a neighbor kid (high school/college) who live close enough to stop by after school ? you wouldn't have to pay a lot and I think they would be more flexible.

1 mom found this helpful

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

I can't give you answer on the amount of money, but really and truly, you won't be able to get someone to come for a half hour. It's not worth their trouble.

I'd up the hours and have fewer days if you can't go with more hours.

Dawn

3 moms found this helpful
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S.O.

answers from San Antonio on

I suggest you batch your chores so that your helper is there for at least 90 min. per time.
You will lose help quickly by going for only 30 min. if that happens too often.

If they provide their own transportation, you pay a little more.

And pay rate depends on area of the country, of course, but down here in TX, some of my neighbors pay $12 - $15 an hour.

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L.A.

answers from Chattanooga on

I would definitely look for a responsible senior in high school or a college student. They will be much more flexible and less expensive. I agree about the 30 minutes. I would imagine you have to offer a minimum of an hour at a time with a minimum number of hours weekly (5-6). Too bad we aren't closer...it would be the perfect job for my daughter :)
Good luck!

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M.C.

answers from Tampa on

It sounds like min wage type of work but since you are offering so few hours, perhaps you should ask around your neighborhood and try to finda highschool student that can come over after school. I agree that I can't imagine anyone wanting to come over for only 30 minutes...but perhaps you if you offer something like $40/week for a max of 5 hrs /3 days, it may sound more palatable. You may get a few bites from the crowd that does not want a part time job but needs some spending money.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

It all really depends... on what level... of 'profession' this person is... or compared to just a college student you hire to do this... or a professional housekeeper/Nanny.

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K.H.

answers from Naples on

My college students usually want $10 per hour. I have them play with my daughter while run errands or straighten the house up. You will have to do some interviewing and searching for one that can "help" around the house the way you want them too. My college girls have a hard time cooking pizza in the oven LOL. Possibly ask your cleaning lady if she has any girls that would like to earn some extra money on the side of cleaning. Times are tough right now so many people in that line of work will take side jobs. I know my cleaning lady brings 3-4 girls with her to clean my house and I'm sure they would jump at the chance. Good luck.

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K.S.

answers from Phoenix on

Having worked for "homecare" as a marketer---I know the prices for that stuff is about $18-20 an hour---with a minimum of 2 hours. Yes, you (probably) won't be able to get someone to come in on a whim. May have to schedule it on say Mondays and Thursdays for 2-3 hours a day. Hope you find what your'e looking for!

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