How much to pay a sitter?

[cristeen]

We're going out this weekend to see a movie and leaving our 4.5 mo with a friend. It's the first time leaving him, and I haven't sat myself in probably 20 years... so I have no idea what's a reasonable amount to pay for 3 hours of baby-sitting. We're in a high COL area, so I know it'll be at least $20, just not sure what is reasonable.

[Poodge]

We pay our sitter, who was one of DS daycare teachers before she went back to school, $10/hour. It seems to be the going rate around here.

[hergrace]

We pay between $10 and $12.50 an hour depending on the job. The higher rate is for someone we used to use through an agency and the amount is between what she makes from the agency and what we used to pay the agency. The low end is for a high school girl when the little kids are asleep. We pay more if we expect someone to put the 2-year olds to bed.

[NicaG]

Here in the suburbs of NYC the going rate is about $10-$12 for one child, $15 for two (per hour).

[AKislandgirl]

$10/hour for one child, $15/hour for two is what people pay me for child care. (my home, my food, my heat, my toys, etc...) For a younger high school student I'd pay $8 for one child. It depends on the age/experience of the sitter imo.

I have a middle school student who is going to help out at my house a couple of hours here and there this summer...I'll always be home too but doing chores and projects and I'll pay her $7/hour I think.

[Peony]

I live in a high COL area as well. $10.00 an hour is a steal, I usually see between $15.-20. an hour. Our current sitter charges ten but I always give her more because I do want to keep her.