[mishd1]

Until now the only babysitters we have had were grandparents. We are having a family friend babysit in a couple of weeks, and I don't have the slightest idea what to pay her (DS is 18 months). When I was babysitting I was paid $2 per hour. I probably shouldn't admit that! Any suggestions you all have would be helpful!
Thanks!
Mish

[DPline]

We pay our sitter $8 for three kids here in SE Michigan. She is a great sitter and well worth it when I need her, but at the same time we don't go out much because it adds up FAST!

[adoptnky]

We pay about $5 an hour (one kiddo - 2 1/2) but mostly it's because I really like our babysitter, she's our pastor's kid and could use the extra money, and the math is easy.

Kim

[CEB]

Prices really vary greatly by location. I live in the metro-NYC area so, as with most things, its fairly expensive ($12-15/hour is the range I have seen here depending on experience of the sitter. Our sitter is at the high end of that range, and that is for my one child). I would not expect to pay that much outside of a major city.

[gracemetcalf]

Maybe there are regional differences but in my area, babysitters get $10- $12 per hour.

[BarbnJeff]

We are in the Philadelphia suburbs and we pay $10/hour for the two boys (and 3 dogs).

[HaloLove]

San Diego here, $14.00 per hour for two kids.

[redru2004]

We live in SW Michigan, have one 2 year old and pay $7.00/hr. It adds up quick especially when DS goes to bed at 8:00, which she typically has 2 hrs to entertain him and then the rest of the time she's watching TV. We don't go out much anymore either.

[hesabanana]

Buffalo here....I pay her $10 an hour and she is very pleased with that. That's for all three of the kids...4, 2, and 1.

[ana-mom]

We're in Philadelphia and I pay $5/hour - it's inexpensive mostly because my nieces babysit for me.

[missylaw]

glad someone asked, I was wondering if we were "average" we pay $10 for three 11,8, almost 2 in central Ohio. If she sits for two we pay $8. I figured we must be close to her average because she never seems to turn us down (she is 16) she actually called several times during the summer to see if we needed a sitter because she needed the money...we were elated. My husband works from home on Wed. when I am at work so he had her over a few times to entertain mostly Maya so he could accomplish more. I hope her social life doesn't pick up any time soon..not to sound horrible but we LOVE her. She sat for us Sat. and my 11 y/o called and asked if we could stay out later because they were in the middle of a game and didn't want her to leave yet....feeling the love :-(
Missy

[mamaskoby]

We are in Ca and the high school girls won't babysit for less than $10 an hour!! Which is shocking since I used to be happy getting a dollar an hour!! And since when do non professional babysitters get to command more than minumum wage??? How did that happen??
Older babysitters or those with credentials/cpr training etc ask for more money!!!

[lcikra00]

Michigan - 3 kids - $10.00/hour

[DDAmasa]

In CT, $10 per hour for one or two kids. $12-15 per hour for three children.

[becky]

Atlanta...$10 per hour...that is 1 or 2 kids.