How much do babysitters make? Updated Rates for 2026

Are you just starting out in babysitting and don’t know what rate to offer? Or do you already have experience and want to know if your pay is fair? In France, the average hourly rate requested by babysitters in 2026 is between €10.50 and €13.00, according to the most recent data. However, this is only an average: pay can vary considerably depending on your city, your experience, the number of children being cared for, and the responsibilities entrusted to you.

In this guide, you’ll find all the information you need to determine how much to charge as a babysitter: how to estimate your rate, how to adjust it to your situation, and when it’s justified to ask for a supplement.

On Sitly, you can easily browse babysitting opportunities in your area and choose an hourly rate suited to your experience: a simple way to connect with nearby families. occasional, in-home childcare without additional household duties. This means that in those regions, families and babysitters can negotiate pay more freely, and there is no legal obligation to match the provincial minimum wage.

Babysitting Rates and Minimum Wage in France

If you work regularly as a babysitter, it’s important to understand how the SMIC (Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel de Croissance) applies to you.

You are likely entitled to the legal minimum wage if you:

• Work regular or fixed hours for a family
• Are officially declared (not doing occasional help)
• Are not a family member or a volunteer
• Are recognised as a “worker” under French labour law

For example, if you provide regular childcare for a family — every week, with payslips or declared income — you must in principle be paid at least the SMIC, depending on your age.

Gross hourly SMIC in France (as of 1 January 2026)

Age	Gross hourly SMIC
18 and over	€12.02
17	€10.82
16	€9.62

(Source: service-public.fr)

If you only babysit occasionally — for example, a few hours on a Saturday evening — this may not be considered employment in the legal sense. Nevertheless, it’s still essential to agree on a fair rate, taking into account your time, responsibilities, and experience.

Nanny Pay in France

A nanny’s salary is generally higher than that of an occasional babysitter. While babysitting is often one-off or informal, nannies work fixed hours, take on more responsibilities, and support children throughout the day: meals, naps, school runs, educational activities.

For this reason, a professional nanny in France (qualified, regular hours, sometimes shared or live-in care) typically charges between €14 and €20 per hour. Some are paid monthly, with a salary ranging from €2,000 to €3,200, depending on responsibilities, experience, and location. Qualified or experienced nannies tend to fall within this range.

Hourly Rates for Babysitters in Major French Cities

The SMIC and national benchmarks are useful for setting a minimum rate, but the actual amount is always agreed with the family, based on several factors:

• Location:
  • Paris and Île-de-France: €12–€16/hour
  • Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lille: €11–€13/hour
  • Smaller towns or rural areas: €9.50–€11/hour
• Experience and responsibilities:
  Even in a rural area, an experienced or qualified babysitter can earn more than a beginner in a big city.

Calculating Your Babysitting Rate

Beyond location, several other factors can influence how much you earn as a babysitter:

• your experience
• your qualifications
• the number of children being cared for
• any additional tasks requested by the family

All of these elements affect your final pay and your hourly rate. The infographic below helps you calculate a realistic hourly rate based on the work you do for the family. Check out our Babysitting Rate Calculator, to get an ide of what rates are in your area.

Experienced or Qualified Babysitter

If you have several years of experience or specific training (CAP Petite Enfance, BAFA, first aid certificate), you can charge a rate above the base rate.

Families are generally willing to pay more when they recognise your professionalism, reliability, and childcare skills.

Babysitting for Multiple Children

When looking after two or more children, your hourly rate can increase by around 20% compared to the base rate, depending on the workload.

Example: caring for two young children requires more attention and energy than one older child, especially if their ages are very different.

Babysitting and Household Chores

Some light tasks, such as tidying the playroom or preparing a child’s meal, are part of standard babysitting. However, additional household chores (vacuuming, dusting, the parents’ laundry) should be paid separately.

Using Your Own Vehicle

If you pick the children up from school or take them to their activities using your car, you can agree with the family on a reimbursement to cover petrol and travel costs.

Evening or Night Babysitting

Evening or night babysitting is generally better paid, as it involves less convenient hours.

• You can ask for 10 to 20% more than your usual rate.
• If the children are asleep or need little care, a slightly lower rate may be acceptable.
• Safety first: remember to discuss travel arrangements home with the family in advance (taxi covered, someone accompanying you, public transport, etc.).

Babysitter Pay: Hourly Rate or Flat Fee?

Is it better to be paid by the hour or a flat fee? This depends on the type of care you provide for each family. For occasional care or when schedules change frequently, it’s better to agree on an hourly rate: you’re only paid for the hours actually worked.

On the other hand, if you work regularly for the same family, a monthly flat fee can be more practical. In this case, it’s essential to clearly define what’s included in that monthly amount. For example:

• If the family doesn’t need you on a scheduled day, are you still paid?
• If something unexpected comes up and you’re asked to stay two extra hours, are those hours paid on top?
• If you usually work on Tuesdays, what happens in months with five Tuesdays?

Tip: clarify these points in advance to avoid any misunderstanding and maintain a smooth, professional relationship with the family.

Babysitter Rate for Emergencies (Last-Minute)

What if the family calls you at the last minute for an emergency? For example, early in the morning because the child has woken up with a fever. In most cases, you can apply a rate increase of 10 to 20% for a last-minute request.

Ideally, agree in advance on an “emergency” rate, applicable when you’re called on unexpectedly. This helps keep communication clear and fairly values your availability and flexibility.

How Much Does a Babysitter Earn Per Month?

A babysitter’s monthly income can vary considerably depending on the number of hours worked and their level of experience. A part-time babysitter, working around 20 hours a week for example, can earn between €800 and €1,100 per month.

If you work full-time and have qualifications or experience with infants or children with disabilities, your monthly salary can exceed €1,800 to €2,200.

Some nannies with broader responsibilities or working live-in (full-time care at the family’s home) can earn more. In these cases, the employment is generally more formal, governed by a declared employment contract (CESU or Pajemploi), with social contributions and associated rights.

How Much Does a Babysitter Earn Per Day?

If you only work certain days — for example during school holidays or when parents go away on business — you can agree on a daily rate rather than an hourly rate. The calculation is simple: multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours worked.

An 8-hour day can represent roughly €90 to €130, depending on the region and the responsibilities involved. The amount can be higher if you’re looking after very young children, preparing meals, or working in the evening.

Tip: clarify your hours with the family, the tasks planned for the day, and how overtime will be paid in case something unexpected comes up.

How to Set Your Babysitting Rate?

To determine your hourly rate, take several factors into account: your qualifications and experience, the number and age of the children, the average rate in your area, the timing (day, evening, weekend), and the responsibilities requested by the family.

Once you’ve settled on a rate that feels fair to you, the next step is to discuss it openly with the family. This might feel awkward at first, but talking clearly about pay from the outset is the best way to avoid misunderstandings. A good approach is to come prepared: find out what rates are typical in your area and calmly explain why your rate makes sense, for example based on the children’s ages or extra tasks involved.

You can also ask the family what budget they had in mind. This makes the conversation more open and transparent. Need more advice? Check out our blog to find out how to become a great babysitter.