Are you working as a babysitter or planning to start? This guide covers the updated 2025 rates in Canada, the average hourly pay, and practical examples to help you calculate how much to charge based on your experience, location, and work schedule.
Have you found a job as a babysitter but are unsure how much you should charge? Or maybe you’re already working and want to know whether your hourly rate is fair? Sitly currently has 13,900 active babysitters in Norway, and according to the rates they list on our platform, the average price is typically between 110 and 140 kroner per hour.
But this is just an average: the actual pay can vary depending on where you work, your experience, the number of children you look after, and the level of responsibility involved. There are no national minimum wage rates specifically for babysitters, but the market gives clear signals about what is commonly charged in different situations.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to understand how much you should ask for as a babysitter, how to calculate a fair hourly rate, and in which cases it’s reasonable to ask for higher pay.
Do babysitters in Norway have a statutory minimum wage?
Unlike some other countries, Norway does not have a national minimum wage for workers. In this country, wage rates are instead regulated through collective agreements. At the same time, babysitting work is not covered by these agreements.
This means there is no fixed hourly rate that parents must follow when hiring a babysitter. Instead, your pay is agreed directly between you and the family.
Example: Babysitter (18 years old) – 3 Children + Dinner Prep
Nora is 19 years old and has a lot of experience as a babysitter. She is studying to become a teacher and has completed a first aid course for children. Once a week, she works for a family with three children aged 8, 5, and 3.
She picks the children up after school, serves a simple snack, and plays with them. When the weather allows, she takes them outside. Before the parents come home at around 7:30 pm, she cooks dinner and makes sure the children eat.
What is a fair wage for Nora?
- kr 130/hour = standard hourly rate for an informal babysitter with experience
- kr 20/hour = supplement for looking after three children
- kr 10/hour = supplement for first aid training and cooking
- Total: kr 160/houron
For a 3.5-hour session, the total comes to: kr 160 × 3.5 = kr 560
This is a fair rate that takes into account the level of responsibility, experience, and the tasks she carries out.
Hourly rates for babysitters in the largest cities
How much you can charge as a babysitter depends on several things, such as your experience, the tasks you’ll be carrying out, the number of children you’ll be looking after, and above all where you live. Rates can vary quite a bit from place to place.
For example: a babysitter in Oslo or Tromsø often earns more than a babysitter in smaller cities. But that doesn’t mean you’ll automatically earn less if you live in a smaller town. If you have a lot of experience, relevant training (such as first aid), or look after several young children, your pay can be above average regardless of where you live.
To help you find a fair and realistic hourly rate, you can look at what babysitters registered on Sitly actually charge in the largest Norwegian cities.
Infographic: How Much Babysitters Earn in Norway
Table: Average hourly rates for babysitters in Norway
| City | Average hourly rate |
|---|---|
| Tromsø | kr 140.00 |
| Oslo | kr 131.55 |
| Trondheim | kr 128.40 |
| Drammen | kr 126.90 |
| Fredrikstad | kr 126.90 |
| Bergen | kr 126.55 |
| Stavanger | kr 125.85 |
| Kristiansand | kr 124.85 |
Calculating your pay as a babysitter
Where you work is just one of the factors that affects what you can earn as a babysitter. Your experience, courses or qualifications, the number of children you look after, and any additional tasks you take on also play a significant role in your final hourly rate.
Because so many factors can influence the rate you ask for, it can be difficult to know what a fair and realistic hourly rate looks like for your specific situation. That’s why we’ve created a simple infographic to help guide you, based on the work you do for the family.
Infographic: How to calculate your pay as a babysitter
Try the Sitly calculator to instantly see babysitter rates in your area. Enter your city, the babysitter’s tasks, and the number of children, and get an immediate average rate.
How much does an experienced babysitter with qualifications earn?
If you have worked with children for several years or have relevant qualifications (for example as a childcare worker, nursery nurse, or carer, or have completed courses in education or first aid), you can ask for a higher hourly rate.
Families are often willing to pay more when they see competence, confidence, and professional experience.
How much can you charge when looking after two children?
When you look after two or more children at the same time, the hourly rate typically increases by 10–20%, depending on how demanding the job is.
For example: managing two young siblings often requires more attention and energy than looking after one older child. If the children are very different in age, the job becomes even more demanding, as you need to find activities that suit both of them and handle different needs at the same time. In these cases, it is perfectly reasonable to charge a higher rate.
Babysitter Hourly rate with simple household tasks
Tasks such as tidying up after play, preparing food for the children, or washing up what has been used are considered a natural part of your job. However, if the family asks you to do small additional household tasks, such as hanging up the family’s laundry, vacuuming, or dusting, these are tasks that should be paid extra, as they are not considered standard babysitting work.
Payment when using your own car
Many babysitters pick children up from school and drive them to sports practice or other activities. If you use your own car, you should agree on a weekly or monthly mileage allowance so that fuel and vehicle costs are covered. This should be agreed in writing in advance.
How much does a babysitter earn in the evening or overnight?
Evenings and nights are usually paid at a slightly higher rate, as working hours after 10:00 pm are less convenient. As a general rule, you can ask for 10–20% more compared to daytime rates. So if you normally charge kr 120 per hour, you can ask for kr 132–144 for evening work.
Bear in mind, though, that a fair hourly rate is also shaped by the work involved:
- If the children have already eaten, go to bed early, and sleep through the night, you may accept a slightly lower rate.
- If the children are young, wake up frequently, or you need to be available throughout the night, it is perfectly reasonable to ask for a higher rate.
Make sure you get home safely at night, after babysitting. Talk to the parents about how you will get home safely. Will they drive you? Will they cover a taxi? Will they walk you to your car? Your safety always comes first, and this should be part of the agreement between you and the family.
Example: Thea, 19, weekend evening babysitter
Thea is 19 years old and studying at university. She has two years of experience as a babysitter, first with her younger brother and then with other families. At weekends, she looks after a family’s children in the evenings. She arrives at 7:30 pm and the children have already eaten. She puts them to bed at around 8:30 pm and stays until the parents come home at 11:30 pm. The only extra task they ask of her is to empty the dishwasher. For the rest of the evening she can relax while the children sleep.
What does Thea earn?
They agree on an hourly rate of kr 130, which reflects the fact that the tasks are straightforward and the effort involved is low.
Total for the evening: kr 130 × 4 hours = kr 520. Thea is happy: the work is calm and the pay is fair. The parents are happy too, because the arrangement is clear and works for both parties.
Babysitter pay: hourly rate or a fixed monthly rate?
Should you be paid by the hour or with a fixed monthly rate? It entirely depends on the type of work you do for each family.
For occasional jobs or work with varying hours, it’s best to agree on hourly pay. That way, you get paid for exactly the hours you work. If, on the other hand, you work regularly and consistently for one family, it can be practical to agree on a fixed monthly rate. In that case, it’s important to clarify upfront what is included in that fixed amount. For example:
- If the family doesn’t need you one day, do you still get paid?
- If something unexpected comes up and they ask you to stay two extra hours, are those paid as overtime or additional hours?
- If you work every Tuesday but one month has five Tuesdays, do you get paid more or is everything included?
Tip: Talk through these points in advance. It helps avoid misunderstandings and sets the foundation for a professional and positive working relationship between you and the family.
Last-minute jobs and short-notice supplements
What if the family calls you at the last minute, for example early in the morning because their child has woken up with a fever? For urgent and unexpected requests, it’s common for babysitters to charge 10–20% extra on their hourly rate.
The best approach is to agree on a set “short-notice supplement” that applies whenever the family asks for your help at short notice. That way, everything is clear from the start and you’re compensated for your flexibility.
Example: Emma, emergency stand-in babysitter
Emma has an agreement with a family to be their on-call babysitter for urgent situations. One morning she receives a call from little Jonas’s mum at 6:45 am. Jonas has come down with a fever and can’t go to nursery, but his mum has an important work commitment.
Emma arrives at 8:00 am and looks after him until his grandmother arrives at 1:00 pm.
How much does Emma get paid?
- kr 130/hour = standard hourly rate for an experienced babysitter
- 20% supplement for last-minute booking = + kr 26/hour
- Total: kr 156/hour
Total pay: kr 156 × 5 hours = kr 780
Many parents choose to round up to kr 800 as a thank-you for the flexibility. That way, Emma feels valued, and the parents know they can count on her in an emergency.
What does a babysitter earn per month?
Your income as a babysitter can vary a lot depending on how many hours you work and how much experience you have.
- If you work part-time, for example around 20 hours per week, you can expect a monthly income of roughly kr 9,000–10,000 (20 hrs × approx. kr 111/hr × 4.3 weeks).
- If you work more hours or have specialist qualifications (for example experience with infants or children with additional needs), you can earn over kr 18,000 per month, depending on your arrangement with the family.
Some babysitters with broader responsibilities, or babysitters who live with the family, can earn even more, but these situations are often structured as formal employment with a contract and proper employment conditions in place.
What does a babysitter charge per day?
If you only work on certain days, for example during school holidays or when parents are away, you can agree on a day rate instead of an hourly rate. An eight-hour day would typically be worth around kr 880–1,000 (8 hrs × approx. kr 111–125/hr), but the rate can increase if the job involves very young children, cooking, or evening care.
Tip: Clarify with the family in advance what counts as working time, which tasks are included, and how any additional work will be handled.
How to set your hourly rate as a babysitter
To find a suitable rate, you should, as mentioned, take several factors into account:
- Your qualifications and experience
- The number of children and their ages
- The average hourly rate in your area
- The time of day (daytime vs. evening/night)
- Special responsibilities and any additional tasks
Once you’ve settled on a rate that feels fair to you, the next step is to discuss it openly with the family. Talking about pay can feel a little awkward at first, but being clear from the outset is the best way to avoid misunderstandings and maintain a professional relationship with the family.
A good approach is to come prepared: research the rates in your area and explain calmly during the conversation why your rate makes sense — for example based on the children’s ages, the schedule, or any extra tasks. You can also ask the family what amount they had in mind. This makes the discussion more open and transparent, making it easier to reach a fair agreement that works for both sides. Need more tips? Read are blog on how to become a great babysitter.
Table of contents
FAQs
Rates depend on factors such as age, experience, qualifications, and the level of responsibility required. Babysitters with formal education or strong references often charge a higher hourly rate. Younger babysitters who work more occasionally, on the other hand, tend to ask for lower pay.
A common surcharge is +20–30 NOK per hour for each extra child. The amount may increase if the child is very young or requires more attention. Younger and less experienced babysitters generally keep their surcharges at a lower level.
Many babysitters can help with homework or simple tasks such as tidying up a bit or preparing a light meal. This may add a surcharge of 20–40 NOK per hour. Here too, younger and more occasional babysitters will typically charge lower surcharges.
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