What is a fair babysitting rate?

Determining a fair babysitting rate depends on a variety of factors, such as location, the number of children and the babysitter's level of experience. However, the rate should always be at least minimum wage.

Use a babysitting rate calculator, such as the one at Care.com, to calculate the suggested rate for babysitters in any specific area. Other factors that can affect rates include the amount of housekeeping required, any transportation to activities or day care and how much advanced notice the babysitter is given before the job. Additionally, if a babysitter works on a holiday, such as New Year's Eve or Valentine's Day, it is customary to pay a higher rate.