Find a babysitter near you
Short answer
A babysitter provides occasional or short care, such as an evening out, a weekend afternoon or a few hours after school. The 2026 US average is $26.24 an hour for one child, $29.87 for two and $32.33 for three, by UrbanSitter's survey, with higher rates in big coastal cities.
- Typical rate
- About $26 an hour for one child
- Typical 2026 range across US metros; big coastal cities run higher. Caregivers set their own rates on Nanny.
- Booking on Nanny
- Free to join. 6% booking fee (min $1.99), or 3% with Plus. Caregivers keep 100% plus tips.
A good fit for
- Date nights and evenings out
- Weekend errands, events and appointments
- Occasional cover when your usual care falls through
What to check
- Reviews from families who actually booked them
- A background check with their consent, and the date
- CPR and first aid
- Your house rules, bedtime and emergency numbers, written down
How it works on Nanny
Book a sitter for one shift or keep a few favorites for repeat nights. Your card is charged only after the shift, sitters keep 100% of their pay plus tips, and you can follow arrival and updates from your phone.
Questions
The 2026 US average is $26.24 an hour for one child, $29.87 for two and $32.33 for three. Pay more for late nights, short notice, infants or extra duties, and never less than your local minimum wage.
No federal law sets an age. Many families choose sitters 16 and older for evenings and adults for infants or long shifts, and look for CPR and first aid training at any age.