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1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

3

Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less

1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

3

Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less
childcare

Are You Underpaying Your Babysitter? Check Out the Averages in Your City

By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
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By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
May 3, 2018, 12:14 PM ET
stressed-babysitter
Babysitting is not for the faintheartedSolStock—Getty Images
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Babysitting is a lot more lucrative than it used to be.

A new national survey from UrbanSitter finds that the average hourly rate parents are paying sitters to watch a single child is now $16.43. Parents of two kids pay $18.86 per hour, while those with three kids are paying $20.56 per hour.

Rates fluctuate throughout the country, of course. San Francisco, not surprisingly, is the most expensive place to find a sitter, with single child rates averaging $17.89 and $20.39 for two. (The minimum wage in California, for reference, is $11 per hour.) Phoenix is the cheapest spot in the country, averaging $11.83 for one child and $14.14 for two.

Rates in other cities run a wide gamut:

Los Angeles – $15.87 (1 child); $17.38 (2 children)

New York – $16.84 (1 child); $19.31 (2 children)

Boston – $17.63 (1 child); $18.46 (2 children)

Atlanta – $12.36 (1 child); $14.43 (2 children)

Miami – $12.33 (1 child); $16.92 (2 children)

Minneapolis – $14.66 (1 child); $15.27 (2 children)

The prices listed do not include tips (which 45% of parents say they don’t give.)

The site found that more than 60% of parents spend over $1,000 per year on babysitting—with 21% spending over $5,000 per year.

Add in the increased costs of cocktails and dinners—Parents Night Out is getting a lot more expensive. No wonder Americans are eating out less these days.

About the Author
By Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer

Chris Morris is a former contributing writer at Fortune, covering everything from general business news to the video game and theme park industries.

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