Babysitting

What it typically pays

Public sources report $17 to $25 per hour for babysitting. Care.com's posted national average is $19.81/hour; after-school sitters averaged $21.87/hour (Care.com 2026 Cost of Care Report); families add $1-$2/hour for infants or extra kids. Prices vary by city and by how the work is packaged. The launch checklist includes a pricing step so you set yours on purpose, not by guessing.

What it costs to start

Expect about $0 to $100 before the first job. Estimate (no single source): CPR/first-aid course ($0-$100) and a platform background check if required The basics:

• CPR/first-aid certificate
• Phone
• Small activity bag (books, crafts)
• References list
• Per-family info sheet

How fast the first dollar comes

People commonly report a first paid job within 3 to 14 days of starting, when they follow the checklist below in order. The fastest route is almost always someone you already know.

Where the first customers are

• Care.com and Sittercity profiles with the CPR certificate listed
• Parents' Facebook groups and church or school newsletters
• Ask 3 families you already know for date-night referrals

Rules, permits and risks

• Child safety is on you: CPR/first aid, never leave kids unattended, allergy and emergency info in writing
• A regular sitter for one family can trigger household-employer (nanny tax) rules; occasional sitting is self-employment
• Platform background checks are required; keep references current
• Income is taxable whether or not you receive a 1099; set aside roughly 25-30% (federal income tax plus 15.3% self-employment tax) and pay quarterly estimates if you expect to owe $1,000+ (IRS Self-Employed Tax Center).

Launch checklist

1. Get CPR/first-aid certified (Red Cross online plus a skills session)
2. Write a one-page profile: experience, ages you are comfortable with, availability, rate
3. Create Care.com and Sittercity profiles; line up 3 references
4. Post in 2 parents' groups and your church or school list
5. Do 3 sits for families you know; ask for written reviews
6. Set a base rate near the local average plus a late-night premium
7. Keep a sitter sheet per family (allergies, routines, contacts)
8. Bring an activity bag; parents rebook the sitter kids ask for
9. Offer a standing weekly date-night slot to your best 2 families
10. Track hours; raise rates $1-$2 after 6 months or a second certification

Open as a checklist you can tick off

Templates

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Honest caveats

• Income capped by hours you can physically sit
• Evenings and weekends unless after-school
• Trust builds slowly; the first 3 families are the hard part
• Sick kids, late parents, cancellations