How Much Is Too Little?

Updated on November 06, 2006
N.D. asks from Glenview, IL
11 answers

How much should we pay my babysitter, who comes to my house 4 days a week, from 7am -6pm?

She would care for my little girl as well as does the laundry, light cooking, cleans the kitchen, vaccum the living room and entrances, and some light dusting.

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We are in process of negotiating.

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D.G.

answers from Chicago on

You are seriously underpaying her. You'd pay more for a daycare center, and you wouldn't get any cleaning done! Give the girl a raise!

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K.

answers from Chicago on

Where I live, the lowest going rate I've heard is $10/hour for this kind of care, usually $12. If that sounds high, ask yourself what you would expect to make to do all that for someone else? The work this woman is doing is more important than anything to you, right? How much do you value your child's well being?

1 mom found this helpful
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T.B.

answers from Chicago on

I think it depends on what you can afford, what you have agreed on, how long she has been with you, etc. I don't believe that anyone has any right to tell anyone that you are underpaying someone, when they don't know your personal situation. Go with your gut. If you can afford it, and she is certainly reliable and trustworthy, and you want to KEEP her, then you may want to consider a raise.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.

answers from Chicago on

I Don't think you are overpaying her. I think the going average rate is about $10 per hour. We had a girl watching two kids, but no cleaning or cooking and we paid her $10/hr. so I think you are pretty much on target.
S.

1 mom found this helpful

N.M.

answers from Chicago on

Can only understand this if you are paying her benefits as well. She would be overpaid if this were 1925.

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J.

answers from Chicago on

$210/44 hours = $4.77 per hour.

You are underpaying her. I'm not sure if you are intending on cutting her already very, very low wages, but it might be a good idea to reconsider that. There are not many people willing to do all that PLUS take good care of a child for that amount of money. I can only assume she takes good or better care of your baby since it was not mentioned. Either way, she probably deserves a raise and a heartfelt show of appreciation.

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N.O.

answers from Chicago on

Maya,

OK...so you're paying about 10 an hour if it's 450 a week and not the 210 you originally posted. That is "fair" but in my opinion, you're still on the low end of the scale because of the additional tasks she performs. Everyone says the same thing...good, realiable, trustworthy help is hard to find.

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M.B.

answers from Chicago on

Wow, if she is good she certainly needs a raise!

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T.

answers from Chicago on

Totally underpaid. She is there 11 hours a day, 4 days a week. You should give her a raise as she is a childcare provider, cook, and cleaner.

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C.U.

answers from Chicago on

If you love her work you are NEVER over paying her. You can't pay enough for the safety and security of your child.

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

You are still underpaying her at $450/week. You should be paying this seemingly awesome caregiver/housekeeper a MINIMUM of $12/hour in addition to some paid vacation time and a holiday bonus. Further, her TAKE HOME PAY should be $12/hr---you should be paying into social security for her and also give her a W-2 at the end of the year. Under this arrangement, she would take home $12/hour, but really would get an extra $1/hr if you count the social security benefits she would get from you, and you essentially would be paying $14/hr for paying this ss and another dollar in taxes. A fair amount of take home pay would be $528.00. ($12/hr x 44 hrs)
If she were to consult a nanny agency or another nanny regarding pay and benefits, they would expect her to earn more than you are paying her.
Amy

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