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How much should I charge as a babysitter?

I'm going to take First Aid and Babysitting courses through American Red Cross soon. I am a martial artist so I am better than average at protecting children and myself. I am respectful, patient, and I love children. How much should I charge? I feel like $5.00 is too little but $10.00 is too much? Believe it or not, babysitting can be a lot of work. Taking care of and putting up with small children for hours at a time.

I'm thinking for one child above 3 (depending on attitude and maturity) that has no special needs, no pets, and all for me to do is supervise and make sure the child is safe around $6.00?

One child above 3 (depending on attitude and maturity) that has no special needs, no pets, and for me to feed, bathe, help with homework, play with, care for, etc (normal things that a babysitter has to do) about $8.00??

What about for 2 children? Or what if they have a dog or cat? I'm great with dogs, as I was grown up with dogs, had dogs of my own, and has always loved them...but different dogs are different and different with strangers (too many "differents")

What do you think I should charge for one kid (per hour)??
yeah that's what I was thinking from the beginning, giving around an $8 charge approximation but letting them decide and base it on their children and how much they're willing to pay

Public Comments

1. When I babysat I was never able to control how much I charged. I showed up and at the end of the night was given whatever the parents though was acceptable. I'd say 6-8 dollars an hour sounds pretty fair though. but if you have to take the kids back and forth to practices I would ask for more since gas prices are atrocious!

2. If you're just beginning, stay away from $10 an hour. $8 would be good for 2 kids. When I babysit, I let them give me what they want to and I usually get paid pretty well.