Babysitter hourly rates by city (2026)
"What do I pay the sitter?" has gotten more expensive to answer. Babysitting rates rose again in the past year, outpacing inflation. Here's what's fair to pay in 2026 — nationally, by city, and by how many kids you're leaving behind.
National average
In 2026 the US average babysitting rate is about $26 per hour for one child and roughly $30 per hour for two children. That's the on-demand, date-night sitter rate — higher than an ongoing nanny's hourly rate because it's occasional and short-notice.
Average babysitter rates by city (one child)
| City | 1 child | 2 children |
|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | $25.52 | $27.78 |
| Austin, TX | $23.39 | $27.58 |
| Charlotte, NC | $23.56 | $28.67 |
| New York, NY | $22.70 | $25.64 |
| Chicago, IL | $22.21 | $25.83 |
| Atlanta, GA | $20.78 | $23.74 |
Rates are highest in San Francisco, Seattle and Honolulu, and most affordable in cities like San Antonio, Dallas–Fort Worth and Columbus. Treat your city's number as the anchor, then adjust for the factors below.
What raises the rate
- More kids: add about $2–$5/hour per additional child.
- Ages: infants and multiple young children pay more than one school-age child.
- Overnights & holidays: expect a premium; New Year's Eve is the classic surge night.
- Extras: cooking, driving, bath-and-bed, or light tidying nudge it up.
- Last-minute or late-night: short notice earns a few dollars more.
Sitter vs. nanny — why the rates differ
A babysitter is typically occasional and paid a higher hourly rate for the flexibility. A nanny is a regular, ongoing arrangement at a slightly lower hourly rate but with steady, guaranteed hours. If you're moving from occasional sitting to a regular schedule, see how much to pay a nanny per hour — and note that regular household employees can trigger overtime and tax obligations a one-off sitter doesn't.
Track every sitter in one place
Different sitters, different rates, different nights — Paypr keeps a running balance for each one, so you always know what you owe before you pay.
Download Paypr on the App StoreCity rates are approximate, from public 2025–2026 UrbanSitter/Sittercity data and may vary by neighborhood, season and demand. General information only.
Related:
How much to pay a nanny per hour · Nanny pay calculator · How to track what you owe your nanny