How Much Parents Are Spending on Babysitters in 2019

Curious if you’re paying your babysitter too much or too little? You’re not alone. Many parents wonder about the going rates for babysitters but find it awkward to ask others. Fortunately, Urbansitter, a leading babysitting network, conducted an extensive survey of 28,000 families across the United States for their eighth annual report, revealing fascinating insights into childcare costs.

Hourly Rates by City

To get things started, let’s look at the hourly rates by city. On average, parents are shelling out $16.75 per hour for one child and $19.26 for two. San Francisco tops the list as the priciest city for babysitting, with rates averaging $18.75 for one child and $21.30 for two. Las Vegas, on the other hand, is the most budget-friendly option, with rates of only $11.63 for one child and $14.71 for two. New York City isn’t far behind, with babysitters earning about $20.85 an hour.

Annual Spending on Childcare

Now, let’s talk about how much parents are spending annually on childcare. A significant 42 percent of families report spending between $10,000 and $30,000 on babysitting services per child, while a small 4 percent shell out over $40,000.

Summer Demand for Babysitters

Summer brings an even higher demand for babysitters. A striking 59 percent of parents anticipate spending $1,000 or more on childcare during the summer months, with about 2 percent of families budgeting over $10,000 for that period.

Frequency of Hiring Babysitters

Breaking it down further, Urbansitter found that 58 percent of parents hire a babysitter at least once a month, while 15 percent opt for a sitter more than once a week.

Reasons for Hiring Babysitters

For those times when parents need a little break from the chaos of parenting, babysitters play a crucial role. A whopping 40 percent of surveyed parents hire childcare to enjoy some “adult time” away from the kids, and another 40 percent use the opportunity to reconnect with their partners. Other reasons for hiring a babysitter include relaxation, entertainment, and simply enjoying a nice meal—who could blame them?

Special Occasions for Babysitting

When it comes to special occasions, anniversaries are the most popular nights for hiring a sitter, followed closely by birthdays, New Year’s Eve, and Valentine’s Day. Interestingly, many parents prioritize booking their favorite babysitter over making a reservation at a trendy restaurant. Great babysitters truly make a difference!

Conclusion

So, if you’re feeling guilty about taking some much-deserved time for yourself, rest assured that you’re not alone in this. Parents everywhere are finding ways to unwind and recharge, and babysitters are an invaluable part of that equation.

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Summary

In 2019, Urbansitter found that parents spend an average of $16.75 per hour for babysitters, with costs varying by city. Many families spend between $10,000 and $30,000 annually on childcare. Summer sees increased spending, and parents often hire sitters to enjoy adult time or reconnect with partners. Special occasions like anniversaries lead to increased babysitting demand.