In this article
- How much to charge for after-school child care
- Current posted after-school babysitter rates in top U.S. cities
- Current posted after-school nanny rates in top U.S. cities*
- Common factors that impact after-school care rates
- Other cost considerations to keep in mind
- Know your worth — and charge it
- Get it in writing
Before you head into an interview for an after-school nanny or babysitter job, it’s important to put time and research into pay rates. The more you know about the going rates for your area and the job at hand, the better off you’ll be when it’s time to negotiate pay on your own behalf.
In one of my first after-school child care job interviews, I didn’t do any pay rates research, assuming the parents had a fair rate in mind. When they asked my rate, I said, “That depends on your budget,” and so they offered $150 a week. My heart sank. The position required 20 hours a week, plus transportation and meal prep. I had to turn down their offer, the family was very disappointed, and I felt awful. After that day, though, I learned to always come to an interview with a rough hourly and weekly estimate in mind.
Figuring out after-school care babysitter or nanny rates before the interview can prevent you from experiencing a similar sticky situation. Here’s how you can determine the after-school sitter or nanny pay rate you deserve and more.
“I learned to always come to an interview with a rough hourly and weekly estimate in mind.”
— Latasha Doyle, former nanny
How much to charge for after-school child care
When deciding nanny rates or how much to charge for babysitting after school, first consider the national average.
According to Care.com’s 2025 Cost of Care Report, parents posted an average rate of $316 per week, about $21.07 per hour, for part-time, after-school sitters caring for one child and working about three hours a day, or a total of 15 hours per week. For full-time nannies, parents posted an average rate of $858 per week, or about $21.45 per hour, for one toddler for a 40-hour workweek.
National average posted weekly child care rates
| # of children | Hourly | Hours per week | Weekly | |
| After-school sitter | 1 | $21.07 | 15 hours | $316 |
| 2 | $22.13 | 15 hours | $332 | |
| Nanny | 1 | $21.45 | 40 hours | $858 |
| 2 | $22.78 | 40 hours | $911 |
Current posted after-school babysitter rates in top U.S. cities
Some areas may have higher costs of living, so it is helpful to check the average hourly or weekly rates for your area. Here are some examples of the posted after-school babysitter rates based on location, according to recent Care.com data.*
| City, State | Hourly Babysitter Rate |
|---|---|
| Atlanta, Georgia | $18.20/hr |
| Brooklyn, New York | $21.28hr |
| Charlotte, North Carolina | $18.07/hr |
| Chicago, Illinois | $19.91/hr |
| Denver, Colorado | $21.47/hr |
| Houston, Texas | $17.12/hr |
| Miami, Florida | $19.12/hr |
| Orlando, Florida | $16.99/hr |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $18.16/hr |
| Phoenix, Arizona | $18.95/hr |
| Portland, Oregon | $20.18/hr |
| San Antonio, Texas | $16.34/hr |
| San Diego, California | $21.29/hr |
| Seattle, Washington | $24.45/hr |
| Washington, D.C. | $20.32/hr |
Current posted after-school nanny rates in top U.S. cities*
Here are some examples of posted hourly after-school nanny rates based on location, according to recent Care.com data.**
| City, State | Hourly nanny rate |
|---|---|
| Atlanta, Georgia | $19.89/hr |
| Austin, Texas | $20.74/hr |
| Brooklyn, New York | $22.52/hr |
| Charlotte, North Carolina | $18.75/hr |
| Chicago, Illinois | $20.83/hr |
| Denver, Colorado | $22.27/hr |
| Los Angeles, California | $25.05hr |
| Orlando, Florida | $18.52/hr |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $19.84hr |
| Phoenix, Arizona | $19.76/hr |
| Portland, Oregon | $21.11/hr |
| San Antonio, Texas | $16.23/hr |
| San Diego, California | $22.23/hr |
| San Francisco, California | $26.47/hr |
| Seattle, Washington | $25.20/hr |
Jenny Ochoa, a veteran child care provider from Miami, recommends browsing after-school job listings for help with rates. “I look at families’ hourly or weekly preferences before I really hammer down on my rates,” Ochoa says.
You can also research the going posted rates where you live using the Cost of Care Calculator.
Common factors that impact after-school care rates
The going rates and job postings aren’t the only things you should consider when determining how much to charge for babysitting or nannying after school. Consider some of the other common factors that can affect sitter or nanny pay rates.
After-school care experience
Families often want someone to step in and manage the after-school rush without much guidance.
“While I wouldn’t charge a ton more for your years of experience, I would recommend at least $1 to $2 more per hour,” says Rachelle Gershkovich, author and founder of Maternal Instincts, a postpartum and night nanny agency in Denver.
Longer or more flexible hours
Some parents have a “normal” 9-5 work day, and some don’t. If the family you want to work with keeps nontraditional hours or the schedule changes by the day, you may need to charge more or keep an hourly rate (rather than a weekly one).
Transportation
Some after-school sitters or nannies ask for a higher rate to account for the use of their car and the expenses associated with it. Note: Remember, it’s your responsibility to track your mileage and related expenses for tax purposes.
Household duties and errands
Pet care, housekeeping, grocery shopping, meal prep — all of these are additional after-school services you can offer. It’s often easiest to find a flat rate for your “full service,” but families may want to pay you separately for occasional things like housekeeping or picking up the dry cleaning.
Tutoring
If you offer tutoring services, you may be able to charge more. You can check current after-school tutoring job listings to find out what rates tutors are charging in your area. While you likely can’t charge a typical tutoring rate on top of your hourly or weekly care rate, it is something to take into account when you figure your cost.
Safety certifications or health training
Do you have certifications or training that could boost your rates? Are you specialized in caring for infants or have you worked with children with disabilities? Make sure to take this into account when setting your rate.
“A la carte” services
Many parents need basic after-school care for their kids, but they’d also love to find someone who offers more.
“I’d be willing to pay a portion of the normal rate for someone who could teach my kid to swim or do something ‘out of the norm,’” says Julie Macon, a mom of two from Golden, Colorado.
Dog walking, packing suitcases and watching kids on the weekend are just a few things you may offer to increase rates or earn extra money.
Other cost considerations to keep in mind
In addition to all the factors listed above, here are a few elements that new after-school sitters and nannies may not know to consider when figuring out their rates:
Parents’ budgets
Parents need help with their kids after school, but that doesn’t mean they can pay as much as someone seeking full-time care. As Mandy Leslie, mom of two from Chicago, puts it: “Some after-school sitters cost just as much as full-time care. That is really hard on our budget.”
Early arrival
While you may only see the children for three to four hours a day as an after-school care sitter or nanny, you will often need to get in a school pickup line early or get to the bus stop before the children. Make sure you consider the extra time when calculating your rates.
Fewer hours
Fewer hours means less pay than a full-time position, but with just as many expectations (sometimes more, if you count homework help and/or meal prep). Know exactly what you need to make before accepting an offer; it’s not fair to you or the family if you’re unhappy with your rates.
Unexpected “full” days
In addition to a “regular” weekly rate for after-school hours, also communicate rates for any full days that may come up, like:
- Sick or snow days.
- School in-service days.
- Holiday breaks.
Summer expectations
Talk to families about their summer child care needs during your initial interview. If it’s a good fit, you can calculate a summer rate, based on a summer role and expectations, when the time comes.
Know your worth — and charge it
Once you’ve figured out your after-school care rates, be confident in them. Gershkovich adds that after-school positions are often “the hardest to fill” because of the nontraditional hours and extensive needs these families have. That means, if after-school care is right for you, there are families looking for you.
Know what you want to charge and which services you can offer. Then, share your rates confidently.
Get it in writing
When you and your employers come to an agreement on your rate for after-school care or any other duties, get it in writing. A nanny contract or babysitter contract can help ensure everyone is on the same page about expectations and rates and the services that will be given in exchange.
