{
  "slug": "babysitter-rate",
  "title": "Babysitter Rate Calculator",
  "heading": "Babysitter Rate Calculator",
  "category": "financial",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/babysitter-rate",
  "summary": "Fair hourly rate based on kids, age, and time of day.",
  "description": "Babysitting rates vary by region, but the structure is consistent everywhere: a base rate per hour, an add-on per extra child since one sitter watching three kids works harder than watching one, and a late-night premium once bedtime tasks and driving-home-in-the-dark enter the picture. This calculator builds a rate from those three components plus a holiday premium option, so both families and sitters have a defensible number instead of guessing off word of mouth.",
  "formula": "Rate = base + (extra kids × per-kid add-on) + (late-night premium if applicable) + (holiday premium if applicable); total = rate × hours.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=babysitter-rate",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "base",
      "label": "Base hourly rate",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 17,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 5,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "kids",
      "label": "Number of kids",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 2,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 1,
      "max": 6
    },
    {
      "id": "perKid",
      "label": "Add-on per extra kid",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 2,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "hours",
      "label": "Hours needed",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 4,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 0.5,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "lateNight",
      "label": "After 10pm or overnight?",
      "kind": "select",
      "hint": null,
      "default": "no",
      "options": [
        {
          "value": "no",
          "label": "No"
        },
        {
          "value": "yes",
          "label": "Yes"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "holiday",
      "label": "Holiday or New Year's Eve?",
      "kind": "select",
      "hint": null,
      "default": "no",
      "options": [
        {
          "value": "no",
          "label": "No"
        },
        {
          "value": "yes",
          "label": "Yes"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "rate",
      "label": "Recommended hourly rate",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "total",
      "label": "Total for the booking",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "extraKidFee",
      "label": "Extra-kid add-on per hour",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "hours",
      "label": "Hours booked",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Base hourly rate: 17 $",
      "Number of kids: 2",
      "Add-on per extra kid: 2 $",
      "Hours needed: 4",
      "After 10pm or overnight?: No",
      "Holiday or New Year's Eve?: No"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Recommended hourly rate: $19.00",
      "Total for the booking: $76.00",
      "Extra-kid add-on per hour: $2.00",
      "Hours booked: 4"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter base hourly rate ($).",
      "Enter number of kids.",
      "Enter add-on per extra kid ($).",
      "Enter hours needed.",
      "Enter after 10pm or overnight?.",
      "Enter holiday or new year's eve?.",
      "Read your recommended hourly rate on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "base": 10.2,
        "kids": 1,
        "perKid": 1.2,
        "hours": 2.4,
        "lateNight": "no",
        "holiday": "no"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "base": 17,
        "kids": 2,
        "perKid": 2,
        "hours": 4,
        "lateNight": "no",
        "holiday": "no"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "base": 27.200000000000003,
        "kids": 3,
        "perKid": 3.2,
        "hours": 6.4,
        "lateNight": "no",
        "holiday": "no"
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.",
    "Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.",
    "This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "What's a typical base babysitting rate in the US?",
      "a": "As of recent national surveys, average rates run $17-20/hour for one child, with regional swings — expect $14-16 in lower cost-of-living areas and $22-28+ in major metros like NYC or SF. Teen sitters typically charge $2-4/hour less than adult sitters with CPR certification."
    },
    {
      "q": "Should I pay more for a sitter with CPR/first aid certification?",
      "a": "Yes, add $1-3/hour. It's a real cost the sitter incurred (certification classes run $50-100 and need renewal every 2 years) and it materially reduces your risk during the booking."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is a 2-hour minimum standard?",
      "a": "Most experienced sitters set a 2-3 hour minimum because a 45-minute booking isn't worth the travel time. Build that into your total if your actual need is shorter than the minimum."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/nanny-share-split",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/nanny-total-cost"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Babysitter Rate Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/babysitter-rate)"
}