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Baby sitter vs pet sitter

The differences between baby sitters and pet sitters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a baby sitter, becoming a pet sitter takes usually requires 1-3 months. Additionally, a baby sitter has an average salary of $30,972, which is higher than the $25,823 average annual salary of a pet sitter.

The top three skills for a baby sitter include child care, kids and nutritious meals. The most important skills for a pet sitter are PET, walkers, and clients homes.

Baby sitter vs pet sitter overview

Baby SitterPet Sitter
Yearly salary$30,972$25,823
Hourly rate$14.89$12.41
Growth rate6%28%
Number of jobs19,38221,735
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age3732
Years of experience23

What does a baby sitter do?

A Baby Sitter is responsible for the welfare and safety of children while their parents or guardian are away. The tasks will vary on the age, behavior, or needs of the children. However, most of the time, a Baby Sitter must supervise the children's activities in a friendly and fun manner, prepare meals, assist in bathing or dressing, and get them to bed. There are also instances when the Baby Sitter must do some light chores, such as cleaning up after the kids or washing the dishes.

What does a pet sitter do?

A pet sitter is responsible for taking care of household pets while their owners are away. Pet sitters perform services for pet maintenance, including taking them to the veterinarian, monitoring their food, walk them in the park, and administer medications, if any. They also reach out to the pet owners for possible updates and emergencies, taking their instructions immediately. Apart from being highly communicative and organizational, a pet sitter should have an interest and passion in taking care of pets to ensure high-quality services.

Baby sitter vs pet sitter salary

Baby sitters and pet sitters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Baby SitterPet Sitter
Average salary$30,972$25,823
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $44,000Between $10,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WANewport, RI
Highest paying stateMaineRhode Island
Best paying companyCARECARE
Best paying industryFinanceNon Profits

Differences between baby sitter and pet sitter education

There are a few differences between a baby sitter and a pet sitter in terms of educational background:

Baby SitterPet Sitter
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of VirginiaUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst

Baby sitter vs pet sitter demographics

Here are the differences between baby sitters' and pet sitters' demographics:

Baby SitterPet Sitter
Average age3732
Gender ratioMale, 14.2% Female, 85.8%Male, 19.7% Female, 80.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 2.6% White, 68.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage4%11%

Differences between baby sitter and pet sitter duties and responsibilities

Baby sitter example responsibilities.

  • Prepare and organize records for tax purposes and comply with DCFS licensing standards.
  • Provide and prepare daily meals and snacks according to DHS and FDA rules.
  • Job duties, babysit for working parents, last min plans, mommy helper.
  • Supervise safe activities for the children and provide tutoring and homework help; CPR train.
  • Hire to babysit friends/neighbors, as well as providing regular childcare services for younger brother.
  • Volunteer by helping children complete their homework and babysit until their parents pick them up.
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Pet sitter example responsibilities.

  • Help managed the company and train new walkers
  • Cat and dog feeding, medicine, dog walking, cleanup; 5 animals : 3 cats , 2 dogs.
  • Provide constant supervision and companionship for elopement risk and suicide precaution patients.
  • Provide care for dogs, fish, cats, bunnies, birds, snakes, hamsters and most other household pets.
  • Execute cash register POS system.
  • Specialize in extra TLC for elderly pets.
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Baby sitter vs pet sitter skills

Common baby sitter skills
  • Child Care, 50%
  • Kids, 24%
  • Nutritious Meals, 12%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Homework Assignments, 5%
  • Meal Prep, 1%
Common pet sitter skills
  • PET, 90%
  • Walkers, 2%
  • Clients Homes, 2%
  • CPR, 1%
  • Topical Medications, 1%
  • Litter Boxes, 1%

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