Key facts
Quick overview
Babysitting is local child care; listed employee wages are not necessarily the same as independent private bookings.
How it works
Care for children during agreed hours with clear responsibilities and emergency contacts. Confirm the ages, routines, allergies, transport and payment terms before accepting.
Why students choose it
Some families need care outside class hours.
Advantages
Reliable relationships can lead to repeat bookings.
What sucks about it
Evening hours, safety responsibility and last-minute schedule changes can be demanding.
How to get started
Consider first aid training, references and a written agreement on duties and timing.
Where to find opportunities
Look through trusted referrals, campus community boards and local child-care postings.
What the data says
Category-specific official evidence: Job Bank reports a Canada-wide median of $19 per hour for babysitters. Data period: 2023–2024; wage table updated November 19, 2025. Job Bank: babysitter wages in Canada. Private booking prices, unpaid travel and responsibilities vary.
Worked gross example, not a promise: $19 per paid hour × 5 paid hours per week × 4.33 weeks = about $411 gross per month before tax, travel and other costs.
Official data: There is no verified student-specific earnings figure for all babysitting work. For employee roles, compare the relevant occupation and region using the Government of Canada Job Bank wage search. Its employee wages should not be treated as a guaranteed freelance or platform rate. For self-employed work, the Canada Revenue Agency explains how to report business income and expenses. These links were checked September 2026. No community report is used as earnings evidence here.
Red flags
Walk away from guaranteed income, upfront payment demands, or requests to move money through your bank account. The Competition Bureau outlines common job and employment scams.
Is it worth it?
It may fit an evening schedule, but only if you can take on the responsibility and travel safely. Compare the time spent finding work, unpaid preparation, transport, platform fees and taxes with the money actually received. Earnings are gross unless explicitly labelled otherwise; actual results depend on location, demand, experience, hours and expenses.
Related opportunities
Tutoring
Turn what you already know into income.
Paid research studies
Get paid to participate in research.
Pet sitting & dog walking
Make money spending time with pets.