Way to much, OP.

The hourly rate for childcare in the Washington, DC area is 10-25+ per hour, with most sitters and nannies charging about 16-18, based on what I hear.

A few are on the lower end, and a few are on the higher end. FYI, typically the more pricey nannies don't go on care.com or sittercity. They're mostly word-of-mouth referrals from wealthy clientele.

Forgot to add that there will always be people with an experience where they got someone great for lower than the norm but that's the exception not the rule, and really depends on the person- their age, financial situation, etc.

Obviously there is no "verifiable" market rate listed in any sector beyond minimum wage but there is a market rate in this area for childcare and it's pretty easy to figure out- for one thing if you post on these Nanny sites like Care.com looking for a few hours a week you will quickly find out the market rate based on the responses you get from the range you list. The lower you offer the less responses you get and the less interest.

Around here no one will babysit your kid for less than $15 an hour because it wouldn't be worth your time, gas, and headache. If you want to attract someone to do it then you list an attractive offer- or see what the people you interview want- if the person you want wants more then you pay them or hire the person willing to do it. That said $20 an hour is decent.

Anonymous wrote:Google is your friend, PP. Try it out.

There are no verified market rates for domestic workers. The closest thing you might get is data form the payroll companies or nanny agencies. However, that would be only a tiny slice of a particular market. So what did you google that gave you varified data???

Google is your friend, PP. Try it out.

Anonymous wrote:

If you have your heart set on a certain person, for whatever reason, and you can afford her fees, than it's a clear win-win.

The only person mad here is the parent who can't afford the higher rates for the better nanny. That's why she pours so much effort into her mythical low market rates, based on absolutely nothing.

Why do you think there is only one person here who understands market rates? There are many of us, both nannies and parents. Your paranoia about a mythical enemy driving down your desired wages is really kind of weird.

Market rates are great, as long as they are based on actual data. Where's yours?

OP, about 4 years ago I was in a similar situation, needed help on only a couple od days a week after between 3 and 6. I went to the web site of AU, there is somewhere a board where you can sign up and see all posts from students looking for babysitting jobs, or you can post your own. there were tons of students looking, and based on their calendar of classes some where available only one or a few days a week. I think I was paying $15 per hour

If you have your heart set on a certain person, for whatever reason, and you can afford her fees, than it's a clear win-win.

The only person mad here is the parent who can't afford the higher rates for the better nanny. That's why she pours so much effort into her mythical low market rates, based on absolutely nothing.

Why do you think there is only one person here who understands market rates? There are many of us, both nannies and parents. Your paranoia about a mythical enemy driving down your desired wages is really kind of weird.