Raising Kids Money Here is the Average Hourly Rate For a Babysitter in Every State Getting a sitter can give you a night away from the kids or a precious few hours to yourself—here's how much you can expect to pay a babysitter in your state. By Dina Roth Port and Hiranmayi Srinivasan Published on July 19, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Raising kids takes a village—and a babysitter can be an important part of it so you can get some much-needed help and time to yourself. A 2017 Care.com survey found that 74 percent of parents hire a babysitter at least once a month. While it's nice to have family or friends that will take the kids off your hands, chances are you will have to add a sitter to your budget. While the national average hourly rate for a babysitter is $17.73 for one child, $20.30 for two, and $21.49 for three kids, how much you pay your babysitter depends largely on which state you live in. How We Pulled Off the Perfect Nanny Share Getty Images. Art: Jillian Sellers. Other factors that affect cost regardless of location are a babysitter's level of experience and education. "Those on the higher price end are typically our enrichment leaders who are often college-educated sitters who lead kids in certain activities like art, music, acting, dancing and homework help," says Yi-Hsian Godfrey, co-founder and CEO of Apiari, an online platform that matches families with child care providers. Expect a higher cost if you have more than one child under the age of 2 or if you're getting together with some friends for a shared nanny or sitter. Full-time nannies will also charge higher rates than those who have babysitting as more of a side hustle, or are in school. The pandemic has also increased the demand (and appreciation) for babysitters. "We are seeing a growing movement in recognizing nannies and babysitters as a valued profession for many parents," says Marina Lloyd, owner of Utah-based nanny placement agency The Nanny Haven. "When parents are suddenly working at home and have kids at home, they need that extra set of hands to be present more than ever." Lloyd has seen the average rate increase by about 20 percent in her area over the past two years. Tips for Choosing a Good Nanny Here is a guide to the average hourly babysitting rates in every state so you know what to expect when you need one. State Average Rate For A Babysitter (per hour)* Alabama $13.95/hr Alaska $15.14/hr Arizona $14.81/hr Arkansas $13.28/hr California $16.49/hr Colorado $17.20/hr Connecticut $15.44/hr Delaware $16.92/hr Florida $13.46/hr Georgia $14.28/hr Hawaii $15.88/hr Idaho $15.49/hr Illinois $13.21/hr Indiana $14.71/hr Iowa $13.97/hr Kansas $14.13/hr Kentucky $14.48/hr Louisiana $14.19/hr Maine $15.30/hr Maryland $18.08/hr Massachusetts $16.42/hr Michigan $16.12/hr Minnesota $14.63/hr Mississippi $13.24/hr Missouri $15.66/hr Montana $14.96/hr Nebraska $12.29/hr Nevada $15.02/hr New Hampshire $14.63/hr New Jersey $15.00/hr New Mexico $13.81/hr New York $17.62/hr North Carolina $14.62/hr North Dakota $15.01/hr Ohio $14.50/hr Oklahoma $16.46/hr Oregon $14.35/hr Pennsylvania $15.24/hr Rhode Island $15.22/hr South Carolina $17.16/hr South Dakota $14.57/hr Tennessee $14.61/hr Texas $15.00/hr Utah $14.32/hr Vermont $16.06/hr Virginia $17.48/hr Washington $18.39/hr West Virginia $15.31/hr Wisconsin $14.54/hr Wyoming $15.77/hr *Numbers from Ziprecruiter data and estimates. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Related Articles How Much Should You Pay Your Babysitter? Parents Agree: The Pandemic Made Child Care Worse What Are the Costs of a Multiple Pregnancy and Birth? How to Handle the Rising Cost of Summer Camp A Guide to Hiring a Tutor for Your Children The Differences Between a Nanny and Babysitter 10 Best Caribbean Destinations for Families COVID-19 Has Majorly Impacted Medically Fragile Kids and Their Families—But There May Be a Solution 5 Tips for Parents to Negotiate a Raise as Inflation Skyrockets For Incarcerated Fathers, Parenting From a Distance Makes a Tough Job Tougher We Hired My Mom as Nanny to Cut Costs and It Didn't Turn Out as Expected Can I Afford to Be a Stay at Home Parent? Adoption is Expensive, It's Time We Normalize Baby Showers for Adoptive Parents These Are the Best (and Worst) Cities for Single Parents How to Find Child Care Near You: 6 Resources That Make Parents' Lives Easier Find Nannies, Sitters, and Daycares in Your Area Using This Safe and Easy Service Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies