How Much to Charge for Babysitting (Calculator Inside)
Stop saying "whatever you think is fair." Plug in the details and walk in with a real number. Dog walking too.
In this guide
How we got this number
For babysitting, we start from the average hourly rate in your state from Babysits’ 2026 data. That’s what sitters on their app charge for one kid, from about $13.60 an hour in West Virginia to almost $20 in D.C. Then we add $1 an hour for each extra kid, which is the rule Care.com suggests too.
The experience and CPR bumps are our own rule of thumb: $2 less if you’re brand new, $2 more with 3+ years, and $1 more with CPR or first aid. Lots of sitters on those apps are adults with years of experience, so if this is your first time, the low end is a fair place to start. Big city? You can usually go higher.
What changes your rate
- More kids. Each extra kid is more work. Charge for it.
- Babies and toddlers. Diapers, bottles, naps. Ask for the top of your range.
- Late nights. After 11 p.m. or a last-minute call? Same thing.
- Extras. Cooking dinner, bedtime, homework help, driving. Say them out loud when you agree on a price.
What to charge for dog walking
According to Rover, the average walker in the U.S. gets $21.45 for a 30-minute walk. Most charge $16 to $25 for 30 minutes and $29 to $38 for an hour. Those are people who do it for a living, with reviews and background checks, so the calculator puts you in the bottom third of that range when you’re new and moves you up as you get experience.
A second dog is more pulling and more poop bags, so we add $5 per extra dog. Got a neighbor who needs walks every day? Offering a small discount for 5 walks a week is a nice way to keep them.
How to bring up money without it being weird
Say your number first, say it once and don’t apologize. Parents ask sitters about rates all the time. It’s normal.
If they offer less, you can meet in the middle or say no. Both are fine.
Bring this sheet to every job
Before the parents leave, ask them to fill in phone numbers, allergies and bedtimes. It takes them two minutes, and it shows them you take the job seriously, which is also how you earn the top of your range.
The Babysitting Info Sheet
Ask the parents to fill this in before they leave. You look like a pro, and you have every number you need if something goes wrong.
Download the PDFOne page, letter size, prints fine in black and white.
