Babysitting Rate Calculator
Agree on the rate, the minimum and any late-night extra before the job, and round the total to a friendly number if you like.
How the babysitting rate calculation works
Set your rate for one child
Check what sitters near you with similar age, experience and CPR or first-aid training charge, and pick your rate. Here it's $20 an hour.
Add an amount for each extra child
Each extra child is more work. At $3 more per child, two kids is $23 an hour.
Apply a minimum and late-night extra
A 3-hour minimum keeps short jobs worth the trip. One hour after midnight at $5 extra adds $5.
Add the extras
Driving, cooking, pets or a holiday can be a flat amount. 4 hours with two kids and one late hour comes to $97.
Worked example. A 4-hour evening with two children at $20 an hour plus $3 for the second child is $92, and one late hour at $5 extra brings it to $97. That's $24.25 per hour booked, or $388 a month at four jobs.
Babysitting Rate FAQ
How much should I charge for babysitting?
Pick an hourly rate for one child from what sitters near you charge, add an amount for each extra child, and add extras for late nights, driving or holidays. The calculator adds it up for the job.
How much more should I charge for each extra child?
Many sitters add a few dollars per hour for each extra child. Enter the amount you choose; the calculator shows the hourly rate for that family.
Should I charge more after midnight or on holidays?
Many sitters do. Enter the late-night hours and the extra per hour, and add holidays as a flat extra.
Should I have a minimum number of hours?
A minimum (often 2 to 4 hours) makes short jobs worth the travel. Short bookings are billed at the minimum here.
What are typical babysitting rates per hour?
There is no official average. Rates change a lot by city, the sitter's age and experience, CPR or first-aid training and the number of kids. Ask a few local sitters or parents what they charge or pay, then enter that rate.
How much should I pay a babysitter?
Parents can use the same inputs: the sitter's hourly rate for one child, the extra per added child, the hours and any late-night or driving extras. The total is what to pay for the job; agree on it before the night.
Do I need to pay tax on babysitting money?
Babysitting income is taxable. If you're self-employed and your net earnings from self-employment are $400 or more in a year, you also owe self-employment tax and file Schedule SE (IRS).
Do parents owe nanny tax on a babysitter?
Only in some cases. IRS Publication 926 for 2026 says a babysitter can be your household employee if you control what work is done and how. Social Security and Medicare taxes then apply once you pay one employee $3,000 or more in cash wages in 2026. Wages paid to a sitter under 18 don't count unless household work is their principal occupation, and for a student it isn't. A sitter who cares for kids in their own home generally isn't your employee.
Sources: IRS Publication 926 (2026), Household Employer's Tax Guide · IRS: Self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare taxes)