What is the average babysitting rate in Canada? 2025 edition

You’re almost there, you’ve found a trustworthy babysitter who’s going to come babysit for the first time soon. You only need to decide the hourly rate for babysitting, but how much are you going to offer them? What is the average cost for babysitting in Canada? And how do you determine what the babysitting rate should be? Don’t panic, we’ve created this thorough, and simple guide to help you!

• What is the average babysitting rate in Canada?
• How much should I pay a babysitter?
• What is the average babysitting rate worldwide?

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What is the average babysitting rate in Canada?

According to data from thousands of babysitters registered on our platform, the average babysitting rate in Canada in 2026 is 18.68 CAD per hour. Service costs per hour have increased by 0.33 CAD compared to the previous year, when the average was 18.35 CAD per hour.

However, the average babysitting rate varies depending on the city. Babysitters charge an average hourly rate between 17.34 CAD and 20.53 CAD.

Vancouver is the city where babysitting services are most expensive, with an average of 20.53 CAD per hour. The most affordable city is Edmonton, where the average babysitting rate is 17.34 CAD per hour.

In Toronto and Montreal, the most populated cities in the country, the average rate is 20.20 CAD and 18.46 CAD, respectively.

Take a look at the map below to find out what your region’s average babysitting rate is.

Average babysitting rates in the main cities

As mentioned above, babysitters in Canada charge an average of 18.68 CAD per hour. There is also a difference depending on the city. Below, we’ve listed the average babysitting rate in some of the major cities in Canada.

Babysitting rate Toronto 20.20 CAD
Babysitting rate Montreal 18.46 CAD
Babysitting rate Calgary 18.03 CAD
Babysitting rate Ottawa 18.67 CAD
Babysitting rate Edmonton 17.34 CAD
Babysitting rate Winnipeg 17.99 CAD
Babysitting rate Vancouver 20.53 CAD
Babysitting rate Mississauga 18.93 CAD
Babysitting rate Brampton 18.31 CAD
Babysitting rate Québec 18.04 CAD
Babysitting rate Hamilton 18.89 CAD
Babysitting rate Surrey 19.59 CAD
Babysitting rate Halifax 19.27 CAD

Childcare and Babysitting cost statistics Canada - Previous years

View and download the infographics for average costs of babysitting from previous years here:

• Babysitting rate Canada 2022
• Babysitting rate Canada 2023
• Babysitting rate Canada 2024
• Babysitting rate in Canada 2025

It’s important to remember that this is an average hourly rate. Several factors influence this price, including special activities such as cooking or household tasks. If more than one child is involved, the rate is also expected to be higher. The babysitter’s experience and age are also important factors in this calculation.

How much should I pay a babysitter?

As mentioned above, babysitters charge an average of 18.68 CAD per hour. However, this amount may vary depending on the babysitter and the situation. Factors such as qualifications, experience, number of children, and additional tasks can influence the final price.

Minimum wage

The national minimum wage can be used as guidance when determining a fair rate.

As of April 1, 2025, the federal minimum wage in Canada is $17.75 per hour.

The minimum wage in Canada can differ depending on the province or territory. It’s important to take into account local minimum wages and apply the higher rate if the provincial or territorial minimum wage is higher than the federal one. For example, in British Columbia, minimum wages are often higher than the federal baseline. In some provinces, minimum wage may also vary based on student status, job type, or sector (such as service or hospitality).

This information should therefore only serve as a general reference, as other factors such as qualifications and experience also affect the final price.

Qualifications and experience

As a parent, you are responsible for making your own decisions and choosing whether to hire someone with more experience or someone who loves children but has less experience. Qualifications and experience are not always related to age.

In the end, it depends on the parents’ choice. You may choose to hire a less experienced babysitter and pay less per hour, or pay more for someone with several years of experience or relevant certifications such as first-aid training.

What are the duties and responsibilities of a babysitter?

In addition to ensuring that children are safe and well cared for, babysitters may also have additional tasks. Babysitters and families can agree on what these tasks are, and they can significantly influence the babysitting rate.

Household tasks

Sometimes parents ask babysitters to carry out household tasks while caring for the children, such as vacuuming, cooking, or tidying up. If the babysitter agrees, it is reasonable to expect a higher hourly rate.

Homework help

If the babysitter is good at subjects like maths or history, they may help children with homework and explain school material.

Picking up or dropping off children

Families may ask babysitters to pick up or drop off children at school or activities. Not all babysitters offer this flexibility, so this may result in a slightly higher rate.

Pet sitting

In 2025, more than half of Canadian households had at least 1 pet. So, in many households, babysitters may also need to deal with pets. Pet care is an additional responsibility and may include walking a dog, cleaning a litter box, grooming, or feeding animals.

Working hours

The babysitting rate may vary depending on the time of day. Families often pay more for daytime babysitting than evening babysitting, as children may already be asleep at night. Babysitters who work late at night or stay overnight often receive a higher rate due to availability.

Multiple children

If the babysitter is caring for more than one child, this increases responsibility and workload, which can influence the rate.

Children’s ages

Younger children usually require more supervision, so babysitting rates are often higher than for older, more independent children.
The infographic below provides an overview of all the factors that contribute to determining the hourly rate.

The hourly babysitting rate is something that is negotiated between parents and the babysitter. Take all the factors mentioned into account to arrive at a fair rate for both parties.

What is the average babysitting rate worldwide?

Some babysitters choose to work abroad, either temporarily during their studies, as au pairs, or as a permanent relocation. Likewise, families may look for babysitters when travelling or moving to another country.

Through Babysits, it is possible to find babysitting jobs and babysitters in 120+ countries. When comparing average babysitting rates worldwide, it becomes clear that rates vary significantly by country.

Countries with the highest average babysitting rates include Australia, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Denmark, and the USA. These differences are partly due to variations in the cost of living and wage levels.

Now that you know how much babysitting services typically cost, you may be looking to hire a babysitter or nanny. Find babysitters in Canada’s main cities:
* Babysitter in Toronto
* Babysitter in Montreal
* Babysitter in Calgary
* All babysitters in Canada