19 answers

What Are Sitters Currently Being Paid?

Hi moms..
A friend of mine asked me to watch her 2 month old a few days a week. I'm not sure yet how many hours exactly. We don't have the details ironed out yet.
What would be a reasonable rate for me to charge her? I would be driving to her home which is about 20-25 minutes from my home. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. I have an early childhood teaching background with current CPR certification. I also have nanny experience.
Thanks Moms!!!

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So What Happened?™

Thanks moms!
Thanks so much for your time in responding!! I truly appreciated it.

There seems to be somewhat of a variety in opinions on this topic.

I feel $10 per hour is a reasonable rate to charge considering I'm doing in-home care. I guess what is very surprising to me is that I pay our dog walker $15 per visit.. (a 30 minute visit) and have gone on numerous sites for dog walking businesses and no one charged below $10 per half hour visit. Why are people willing to pay more for care for their pets than their own children? With my degree, teaching and childcare experience and CPR certification, I won't work below min wage per hour. Caring for another person's child is a huge responsibility which I take very seriously. Thanks again for all of your insightful comments!

Featured Answers

In Chicago, I drop off my child with a WONDERFUL person - paying $75 per day (under the table) - $45 per 1/2 day when he is in school 1/2 day and she picks him up. Every now and then I bring a supply of snack items - or pay to sign him up for a class or something that she will take him to.

1 mom found this helpful

I pay my home care provider $50 per day per child, which I find reasonable. If you are going to the person's house, then I would factor in the gas/mileage.

More Answers

We pay our sitter $10 an hour. She drives to us and watches our one 22 month old son. Hope this helps!

1 mom found this helpful

It depends somewhat on where you live. We are in Madison,WI and pay $10.00 per hour. I believe this is the average rate.

Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Wow, I want to quit my job and get paid by some of the Mom's out there, especially when it is cash! ha!!! I used to pay $40.00 for one kid and $50.00 for two kids (for the summer). Now that she is only watching one, I just left it at $50.00 because she comes to my house and is wonderful. She is there for about 8-1/2 - 9 hours. So basically almost $6.00 an hour. I always say that 2 month old is going to be sleeping alot, and although I know some people say to charge more, I think it should be less! Or basically the same. Bring your paperwork over there when she naps so you can be productive too. I think $6.00 is reasonable. (Now, if she is a lawyer or something and makes tons and tons of money, then maybe you could ask for $7.00 or $8.00 an hour). Good luck, let us know how things turn out. Take care,

1 mom found this helpful

In Chicago, I drop off my child with a WONDERFUL person - paying $75 per day (under the table) - $45 per 1/2 day when he is in school 1/2 day and she picks him up. Every now and then I bring a supply of snack items - or pay to sign him up for a class or something that she will take him to.

1 mom found this helpful

I have a friend who is a SAHM who watches my 1 year old daughter 1-2 days/week so I can help at our family business. I drop my daughter off at her house- but I pay her $40/day. My daughter is there 7-8 hours.

1 mom found this helpful

We pay $14/hour for experienced sitters (ie. moms or daycare workers who are picking up some extra cash on nights and weekends) and $10/hour for highschool-aged sitters. That includes tip. We always drive the highschool sitter home after the job.

1 mom found this helpful

P.S. Make sure to ask if you will have to pay taxes on your income. That could have an effect on your earnings.

1 mom found this helpful

About 7-10$ per hour. If all day for one kid, probably 50-60$ for the day.

1 mom found this helpful

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