How Much Is a Reasonable Hourly Pay for a Babysitter or a Nanny? by:Doreen Lee

Considering that a babysitter or nanny is entrusted with the care of the most important

person in your life, it's only understandable that you put much thought into the process of searching for the right person for the job. And while cost highly influences your choice, it shouldn't be at the top of your priority list for this service because you want to ensure that your children are well cared for even while you're away. Hourly rates for babysitters or nannies will vary across different types of caregivers. To give you an idea on how much you should shell out for this service, read on.

Nanny hourly rates

Hourly rates for babysitters and nannies will logically vary across different states because the cost is usually influenced by cost of living factors, the area, and the type of services required.

Take note that a nanny and a babysitter are different. The former is somebody who stays with the children and is employed over a longer period. The nanny generally manages the children whether or not the parents are around, but most especially when they are out of the house. She usually comes with significant training in childcare so it's only logical that she gets paid more. A full-time nanny's rates can range from $350 to $700 a week. Minimum hourly rate all over the country can range from $5 to $20.

Reasonable pay for babysitters

A babysitter, on the other hand, is somebody who takes care of the kids when the parents are not around. Her job is not as regular as a nanny's although parents tend to hire the services of the same sitter frequently. A babysitter will only be required when parents have to leave the house for events where they can't bring their children with them - e.g. to go out with friends on a Saturday night, or for a meeting that would last late in the evening.

Again, the rates vary among states. In Columbia, Missouri for instance, where cost of living is one of the lowest in the US, the average pay rates for babysitters is $8.50 per hour for taking care of one child. New York City, one of those with the highest cost of living, charges an average of $13 an hour for babysitting services.

Factors that affect rates

In determining the babysitting rates, you want to consider the following details:

Amount of childcare - are you going to need the sitter full-time or just on occasions when you need someone to look after your children for a short period? Weekend services may also cost relatively less than weekdays particularly if you're going to hire students for the job.

Your area - it's important to note that metropolitan cities have higher babysitting rates compared with the rural areas. Suburbs also have higher rates than the rural areas particularly if they are near major cities.

The number of children - naturally, the pay should be commensurate to how many children the babysitter has to look after. It's going to be more difficult to control a larger group.

Additional work - sometimes, parents require additional chores for their sitters and there are babysitters who would be more than glad to oblige. Generally, you want to pay at least $1 to $2 an hour to add to the sitter's basic rate for additional responsibilities.

About the author

Get instant access to thousands of qualified babysitters around your area now by visiting http://www.hireasitternow.com

POST COMMENT

Where to Find a Reliable Babysitter in Los Angeles by:Doreen Lee Where to Find a Nanny or Babysitter in Chicago by:Doreen Lee Where to Find a Nanny in Houston, Texas by:Doreen Lee What You Should Expect From Your Babysitter by:Doreen Lee Top 5 Qualities of a Great Nanny by:Doreen Lee Things to Consider Before Hiring a Teenage Nanny to Watch Your Toddler by:Doreen Lee Questions to Ask a Nanny or a Babysitter Prior to Hiring Them by:Doreen Lee How to Perform a Background Check on Your Babysitter or Nanny by:Doreen Lee Surprising Secrets to a Successful Summer by:Toni Schutta Where to Find Babysitters on the Internet by:Doreen Lee Gender Differences - The Sight and The Sound by:Janet Allison Six Tips To Help Your Overweight Children Lose Weight by:William Winch The Benefits of Baby Sign Language Extend Way beyond the First Few Years by:Lisa Baade