How much to charge for babysitting

Babysitting rates can be figured out by keeping a few key factors in mind. Both parties, the babysitter and hiring parents should be comfortable with the rates and it should be discussed ahead of time. If you as a babysitter feel like you are being underpaid, then it is your responsibility to let the parents know what your rate is. Then if the parents are uncomfortable with your rate they can find someone else who charges within their means.
Here are the factors you should take into consideration when calculating babysitting rates:

• Local minimum wage
• Age
• Experience
• Responsibilities
• How many kids

Local minimum wage

I will take the Bay Area for example since this is where I do my babysitting. Currently the minimum wage in California is $8/hour. At the very least, babysitters, no matter the age or experience level, should get paid $2-4 above minimum wage.

Age

Babysitters who are between the ages of 15 and 18 years old are usually paid between $10-12/hour. This is because younger sitters typically aren’t given as many responsibilities, and sometimes don’t have cars so they can’t do drop off and pick up. Not to say that high schoolers aren’t smart, but sometimes homework help and tutoring skills might be limited as well. Older sitters that are high school graduates, attending college or are college graduates should be at the minimum $12/hour.

Experience 

The more experience a babysitter has the more you can trust and ask of them. The quality of care will be better because they have already dealt with difficulties that inevitably arise with kids and they know how to interact with kids a little better as well. If they know how to change diapers, put kids to bed successfully, keep the kids entertained for hours on end and they don’t just sit the kids in front of the TV, then these babysitters should be paid more than the average. Experienced babysitters should be paid between $15 to $20/ hour.  

Responsibilities

If a sitter is expected to drive the kids, for example, in their own car to activities or school, the cost of gas should then increase the wages of the babysitter (or they should be reimbursed for a fraction of the cost their gas at the end of the week). When sitters are expected to provide activities such as art projects or occasional outings, this should increase the wages of the sitter or the sitter should be reimbursed. If the babysitter is required to make home cooked meals and is expected to do house work such as laundry or gardening, the babysitter should be paid more as well. Sitters with extra responsibilities should expect to paid around $15/hour. 

How many kids

If a sitter is babysitting one child $10-$15/hr is reasonable, but if you are watching 2 or more children a babysitter should be paid at the very minimum $15/hr. When babysitting, if a friend comes over to play, I think it's fair for the parent's of the friend to pay you an extra $5-$10 because you are expected to take care of that child as well. Sometimes it's a little awkward to ask about this, but if it happens often, I would discuss it with either the parents you are sitting for or the parents of the friend. 

Photo courtesy "sushi♥ina" via Flickr.