The Average Hourly Rate for a Babysitter in Every State

A nanny or a babysitter can be an essential part of the proverbial village it takes to raise a child. Since many people don't have a built-in, multi-generational "village," hiring a babysitter can help you get some much-needed help and time to yourself.

While it's nice to have family or friends that will take the kids off your hands, most parents need to add a sitter to their budget. In fact, a 2017 Care.com survey found that 74% of parents hire a babysitter at least once a month.

Factors That Impact Rates

According to UrbanSitter, the national average hourly rate for a babysitter in 2022 was $20.57 for one child and $23.25 for two kids. However, how much you pay your babysitter depends on a variety of factors, including:

• Where you live
• The babysitter's level of experience and education
• Demand
• How many children you have

"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.

You can also 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 career nannies will also often charge higher rates than those who offer occasional babysitting.

The pandemic 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. From 2021–2022, babysitting rates went up 11%, according to UrbanSitter, outpacing inflation by 4%. Lloyd saw the average rate increase by about 20% in her area between 2019 and 2021.

Babysitting Rates by State

Below is a guide to every state's average hourly babysitting rates as of 2022, so you know what to expect when you need one.

State	Average Rate for a Babysitter (per hour)*
Alabama	$14.07/hr
Alaska	$15.80/hr
Arizona	$16.08/hr
Arkansas	$14.17/hr
California	$17.16/hr
Colorado	$17.57/hr
Connecticut	$15.92/hr
Delaware	$17.68/hr
Florida	$13.70/hr
Georgia	$12.74/hr
Hawaii	$16.46/hr
Idaho	$17.03/hr
Illinois	$13.40/hr
Indiana	$15.47/hr
Iowa	$14.56/hr
Kansas	$14.07/hr
Kentucky	$13.73/hr
Louisiana	$12.49/hr
Maine	$16.10/hr
Maryland	$18.41/hr
Massachusetts	$16.79/hr
Michigan	$16.87/hr
Minnesota	$15.61/hr
Mississippi	$13.71/hr
Missouri	$16.05/hr
Montana	$16.03/hr
Nebraska	$17.62/hr
Nevada	$16.42/hr
New Hampshire	$17.08/hr
New Jersey	$16.24/hr
New Mexico	$14.11/hr
New York	$18.14/hr
North Carolina	$14.65/hr
North Dakota	$15.42/hr
Ohio	$14.71/hr
Oklahoma	$16.62/hr
Oregon	$15.58/hr
Pennsylvania	$14.98/hr
Rhode Island	$15.82/hr
South Carolina	$17.42/hr
South Dakota	$14.68/hr
Tennessee	$15.74/hr
Texas	$15.09/hr
Utah	$14.46/hr
Vermont	$16.77/hr
Virginia	$18.04/hr
Washington	$18.97/hr
West Virginia	$15.13/hr
Wisconsin	$14.82/hr
Wyoming	$15.88/hr

*Numbers from Ziprecruiter data and estimates.