Laws, age requirements & rates: everything Maryland teens need to babysit legally, get certified, and earn top dollar across the Old Line State.
Maryland is one of the few states with a statutory supervision rule. Under Family Law Code Section 5-801, children under 8 cannot be left unattended, which sets it apart from most states. No license is required for casual sitting, and Maryland's proximity to Washington, D.C. keeps sitter demand and rates high.
Maryland ties supervision to a hard statutory line at age 8. General age guidelines:
Under Family Law Code Section 5-801, a child under 8 must be supervised by a reliable person who is at least 13 years old in homes, cars, buildings, or enclosed spaces. Violations are a misdemeanor: a first offense carries a fine of up to $500, and a second offense up to $1,000.
No license is required for casual babysitting. Family childcare providers caring for children from multiple unrelated families on a regular basis may need to register under COMAR 13A.15.
Certification isn't required, but it's a strong edge in the competitive D.C.-metro market. Where teens train:
The wealthy D.C. suburbs of Montgomery County pay the most in the state; rural Maryland pays the least.
| Service | Rate |
|---|---|
| 1 child (Montgomery County / Bethesda) | $18 to $25/hr |
| 1 child (Howard County) | $15 to $20/hr |
| 1 child (Annapolis) | $14 to $18/hr |
| 1 child (Baltimore) | $13 to $17/hr |
| 1 child (rural Maryland) | $10 to $14/hr |
| Holiday / New Year's Eve | +$5 to 8/hr |
| Overnight (per night) | $100 to $200 |
Many Maryland parents commute into Washington, D.C., so schedules can be unpredictable. Build in flexibility for Beltway traffic and Metro delays, and agree ahead of time on what happens if the parents get home late.
With waterfront homes and pools all over the state, water safety is critical. On Bay-area jobs, ask about pool rules, keep constant visual contact near the water, and know where life jackets are stored.
Maryland's D.C.-metro communities are among the most diverse in the country. Be respectful of families' dietary, language, and cultural preferences, and ask about any specific customs before the parents leave.
Maryland ties supervision to a hard statutory line at age 8. General age guidelines — Under 8: cannot be left without adequate supervision; Ages 8 to 12: may be left alone briefly but cannot supervise others; Age 13+: generally permitted to babysit younger children; Age 15+: capable of longer sits and multiple children; Age 16+: ready for overnight care.
Under Family Law Code Section 5-801, a child under 8 must be supervised by a reliable person who is at least 13 years old in homes, cars, buildings, or enclosed spaces. Violations are a misdemeanor: a first offense carries a fine of up to $500, and a second offense up to $1,000.
No license is required for casual babysitting. Family childcare providers caring for children from multiple unrelated families on a regular basis may need to register under COMAR 13A.15.
Most Maryland families pay $10 to $25 an hour for one child in 2026, with the top of that range in the higher-cost metros and the bottom in smaller towns and rural areas. Overnight jobs typically run $100 to $200. Rates go up for extra kids, and certified sitters consistently charge more.
Certification isn't required, but it's a strong edge in the competitive D.C.-metro market. Programs like Johns Hopkins and Suburban Hospital run babysitting, CPR, and first-aid courses across Maryland.