We all know that the cost of living is going up, up, up!
That means everything is getting more expensive – from groceries to gas to healthcare. It’s like our wallets are constantly getting lighter. And you know what that means? We’ve all gotta work harder and harder just to keep up.
“Last year babysitting rates rose 9.7% nationally and 51% of U.S. parents were spending over 20% of their income on childcare, far more than the 7% that the federal government deems affordable,” according to research firm Scholaroo.
UrbanSitter’s 12th year of tracking average babysitting rates across the U.S. analyzed tens of thousands of babysitting jobs to provide this handy reference guide for families and babysitters:
The cost of babysitting is determined by the marketplace, and can vary based on a number of factors:
Qualifications and Experience: Babysitters who have training or certifications in early childhood education, CPR and first aid, or other specialized skills may be able to charge more. Similarly, babysitters with more experience or a good reputation command higher rates.
Liability and Insurance: If you’re hiring professionals, babysitters and nannies may need to carry liability insurance or pay for bonding to protect themselves and the families they work for in case of accidents or other incidents. This additional cost may be reflected in the price they charge for their services.
Supply and Demand: Finally, there’s the most elemental market force. If there are a lot of families in need of babysitting services but not enough sitters available, the cost of babysitting will increase.
It’s important to keep in mind that babysitters are providing a valuable service, and the cost is probably well worth it for parents who need reliable childcare while they work or just take a much needed break for some self-care.
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