Laws, age requirements & rates: everything Montana teens need to babysit legally, get certified, and set competitive rates across Big Sky Country.
Montana has no minimum age law for babysitting; 12+ is the recommended starting point. Home-alone situations are judged under a reasonableness standard. Bozeman pays the most, while Great Falls and Billings run a little lower.
Montana sets no statutory minimum age. Supervision is judged under Montana Code 41-3-102, which addresses child abuse and neglect and includes situations where a child faces a substantial risk of harm from inadequate supervision. General age guidelines:
Montana has no fixed home-alone age. Under Montana Code 41-3-102, the state applies a reasonableness standard, weighing the child's age and maturity, how long they're alone, and the safety of the home and surroundings.
No license is needed for casual babysitting. However, if you regularly care for more than 2 unrelated children for compensation, you may need to register as a family childcare provider.
Certification isn't required, but it reassures families and helps you charge more. Where teens train:
Bozeman's fast-growing market pays the most; Great Falls sits lowest. Certification and references push you toward the top of each range.
| Service | Rate |
|---|---|
| 1 child (Billings) | $11 to $15/hr |
| 1 child (Missoula) | $12 to $16/hr |
| 1 child (Bozeman) | $14 to $20/hr |
| 1 child (Great Falls) | $10 to $14/hr |
| 2 children (statewide avg.) | $14 to $20/hr |
| Holiday / New Year's Eve | +$3 to 5/hr |
| Overnight (per night) | $75 to $150 |
Grizzly and black bears, mountain lions, and moose all range across Montana. Know where the bear spray is, keep kids indoors at dusk and dawn, secure garbage, and never let children approach or feed wildlife.
Winters are harsh. Learn the home's heating system, be ready for power outages, dress kids in layers, watch for frostbite signs, and know where flashlights and blankets are stored.
Cell service can be spotty. Verify a landline or satellite phone, write down the physical address, and confirm driveway and road access before parents leave.
Get parents' approval before any hiking or fishing, respect fast river currents, apply sunscreen, and always know where each child is.
Montana sets no statutory minimum age. Supervision is judged under Montana Code 41-3-102, which addresses child abuse and neglect and includes situations where a child faces a substantial risk of harm from inadequate supervision. General age guidelines — Under 6: should never be left without responsible supervision; Ages 6 to 9: need a babysitter present; should not be left alone; Ages 10 to 11: may stay alone briefly during daylight hours depending on maturity, but should not babysit others; Age 12+: generally old enough to babysit younger children for short periods.
Montana has no fixed home-alone age. Under Montana Code 41-3-102, the state applies a reasonableness standard, weighing the child's age and maturity, how long they're alone, and the safety of the home and surroundings.
No license is needed for casual babysitting. However, if you regularly care for more than 2 unrelated children for compensation, you may need to register as a family childcare provider.
Most Montana families pay $10 to $20 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 $75 to $150. Rates go up for extra kids, and certified sitters consistently charge more.
Certification isn't required, but it reassures families and helps you charge more. Programs like Billings Clinic and Bozeman Health run babysitting, CPR, and first-aid courses across Montana.