# Andy Cohen childcare pay dispute

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/andy-cohen-childcare-pay-dispute
> Updated: 2026-10-07T20:14:31.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 3.

During an episode of ‘Andy Cohen Live’ on SiriusXM, television personality Andy Cohen disclosed that he pays his 23-year-old babysitter $30 per hour to care for his two children, aged 4 and 7. Cohen explained that the sitter is the daughter of an old friend who recently moved to New York and was hired to help her find work. Because a specific rate had not been previously discussed, Cohen paid a total of $70 via Venmo for a recent session lasting two hours and fifteen minutes.

Guest Jeff Lewis criticized the rate, describing it as ‘cheap’ given Cohen’s wealth and questioning if the payment would cover the sitter’s transportation costs. Lewis noted that he pays $37 per hour for his own daughter and suggested he likely would have paid $100 for the same period involving two children. While Lewis expressed disagreement, social media commentary suggested that $30 per hour is a typical rate for childcare in New York City.

In response to the backlash, Cohen reportedly reached out to celebrity friends to inquire about their own childcare rates to defend his position. Hilaria Baldwin also weighed in on the discussion, noting that while $30 might be standard, her husband, Alec Baldwin, provides more generous salaries for their household help. Baldwin jokingly invited Cohen’s babysitters to seek employment with her family.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-07: Andy Cohen faces criticism over babysitter pay rates

Andy Cohen is facing backlash after admitting he pays his babysitters $30 an hour, prompting discussions among celebrities regarding appropriate childcare wages.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/andy-cohen-faces-criticism-over-babysitter-pay-rates

### 2026-10-02: Jeff Lewis criticizes Andy Cohen over babysitter pay

Jeff Lewis criticized Andy Cohen on ‘Andy Cohen Live’ for paying a babysitter $30 an hour, calling the rate ‘cheap’ given Cohen’s financial status.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jeff-lewis-criticizes-andy-cohen-over-babysitter-pay

### 2026-09-29: Andy Cohen discloses childcare costs on SiriusXM

Andy Cohen revealed on his SiriusXM show that he pays his babysitter $30 an hour, a rate Jeff Lewis criticized as being too low.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/andy-cohen-discloses-childcare-costs-on-siriusxm

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Cite as: Andy Cohen childcare pay dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/andy-cohen-childcare-pay-dispute