Childcare · 🇺🇸 United States

Babysitter Jobs in Chicago, IL

$15–$25 an hour · Evenings and weekends

Quick answer

Babysitter jobs in Chicago, IL typically pay $15–$25 an hour (about $2,600–$4,350 a month full time). Most positions are live-out, with a usual schedule of evenings and weekends. Employers ask for childcare experience and references and a criminal background check. Register with AvailJob to be matched with families hiring in Chicago.

Typical pay
$15–$25
per hour
Full-time monthly
$2,600–$4,350
about 40 hours a week
Live-in
Rare
accommodation provided
Schedule
Evenings and weekends
Open now
0
register to be matched

Open babysitter positions in Chicago

No open position is listed for Chicago today. New babysitter jobs are added as families hire. Register once and we will match you to the next opening near you.

Register as a Babysitter

About babysitter jobs in Chicago

A babysitter looks after children for evenings, weekends or short periods while parents are out. In Chicago, IL, these roles are offered by private households across Chicagoland Area, from busy professional couples to large multi-generation homes.

Chicago is known for finance, commodities trading, logistics, and architecture, and many of the families who hire domestic staff here work for employers such as Boeing, United Airlines, McDonald's, CME Group, and Morningstar. Chicago's Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) is the world's largest futures exchange.

Main duties

  • Supervise children and keep them safe
  • Follow bedtime and meal routines
  • Play, read and keep children busy
  • Help older children with homework
  • Update parents at the end of the shift

Babysitter pay in Chicago

Household incomes in Chicago are shaped by an average local salary of around $70,000, which is why babysitter pay here sits close to the USA average. Pay rises with experience, references, live-in flexibility and extra duties such as driving or cooking.

Household roles in ChicagoTypical pay ranges, per hour. Babysitter highlighted.
Babysitter$15–$25
Nanny$18–$30
Governess$30–$55
Housekeeper$18–$30
Family Driver$18–$30
Babysitter pay across USATypical ranges in the largest cities, per hour.
New York City$17–$28
Los Angeles$15–$26
Chicago$15–$25
Houston$15–$24
Dallas$15–$24
Miami$15–$24

Indicative ranges for 2026 based on local salary levels and published household pay; individual offers vary.

A day as a babysitter

Typical day — BabysitterAn example day — real schedules are agreed with each family.
  1. 7:30Breakfast & school run
  2. 9:30Play & learning
  3. 12:00Lunch & nap
  4. 15:00Pick-up & homework
  5. 18:00Dinner, bath & handover

Why work in Chicago?

The local job market is growing at 2.3% annually, so demand for reliable household staff keeps rising as more dual-income families move to Chicago.

Chicago is often described as “Midwest's Financial and Commercial Capital”, and its households expect a professional standard of service.

Requirements

What families ask for

  • Childcare experience and references
  • Paediatric first aid
  • Background check for work with children
  • Availability evenings or weekends

Working in United States

  • Right to work in United States: Workers must be authorised to work in the United States, and employers complete Form I-9 to verify eligibility.
  • Checks: employers usually ask for a criminal background check, identity and Social Security verification, a motor-vehicle record for driving roles and, for childcare, a sex-offender registry search.
  • Minimum pay: wages must meet the federal minimum wage or the higher state and city minimum, whichever applies.
  • Contract: A written work agreement covering duties, hours, pay, overtime, paid time off, termination notice and confidentiality prevents most disputes.

Live-in or live-out?

Most babysitter roles in Chicago are live-out, paid by the hour and booked for regular days. Ask whether travel time between homes, evenings or weekends are paid at a higher rate.

How to get hired

  1. Register

    Create your profile with your babysitter experience, availability and references.

  2. Verification

    Complete USA right-to-work and background checks.

  3. Interview & trial

    Meet the family and work a short, paid trial day.

  4. Contract & start

    Agree pay, hours and leave in writing before you start.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a babysitter earn in Chicago, IL?

Babysitter jobs in Chicago, IL typically pay $15–$25 an hour (about $2,600–$4,350 a month full time). Experience, live-in arrangements, hours and extra duties move pay within this range.

Are there live-in babysitter jobs in Chicago?

Most positions are live-out. Most babysitter roles in Chicago are live-out, paid by the hour and booked for regular days.

What do I need to work as a babysitter in USA?

Employers ask for childcare experience and references, paediatric first aid and a criminal background check. You must also have the right to work in United States.

What does a babysitter do day to day?

A babysitter looks after children for evenings, weekends or short periods while parents are out. Typical duties include supervise children and keep them safe, follow bedtime and meal routines, play, read and keep children busy.

How do I apply for babysitter jobs in Chicago on AvailJob?

Register your profile with your experience, availability and references. When a family in Chicago hires for this role, you are matched and contacted.

What hours does a babysitter work?

A typical schedule is evenings and weekends. Hours, days off and overtime should be written into your contract.