Next-door neighbor has a son who wants to earn extra money. He's only 13 and awfully green but who knows, he might do ok. How much to pay? I pay my worker that helps me from time to time $10/hr and he's 40 years old and is a bit slow mentally on some things but overall dependable, strong and can work like a mule. My brother and others around town also hire him and that's how much he gets. That is the 'going rate' around here for general labor, yard work and whatever someone wants done. Although, I do know some who pay $7/hr, including my other next-door neighbor. I'm thinking $5/hr, what would you do? I'd have to dream up some stuff for him to do. Pick up sticks and pine cones in my yard after storms, rake leaves, wash my truck, equipment, that kind of thing. I'm all for helping a youngster get going but I hope he does not have "big bucks" in his eyes. Or his dad. We have had some parents around here think their young kids should get big bucks. Why, I have no idea. When my brother and I were growing up we worked plenty hard during high school and we sure didn't earn much and none of our friends did either. Farm labor sure didn't pay much but we didn't know any better and that's just the way it was and maybe is all we deserved because to tell the truth, all the farmers in our area went broke! That was in the 60s and 70s and farming got real tough during the 70s and beyond. We were glad to have extra money.
I pay by the job not by the hour, kids, handymen or professionals. Walk with and explain to them what you want and discuss the pay you are thinking about for the job, listen to their thoughts, ideas and feedback also. No pay until the job is completed, except for the occasions I think kids have busted out an impressive days work. Paying by the hour started getting lopsided more often than not. Owl
You couldn’t get any help around here for $10 hr. I offered a nephew $20 hr to help with firewood, he said no. I usually pay my nieces & another nephew $15-$20 hr but they are great help & don’t b*tch & complain. I try to feed them dinner also. My 9y/o niece will out work most teenagers.
My ex-wife’s son (stepson) got paid a pack of cigarettes to snort a of cayenne pepper. he wouldn’t come out and make $25 by helping me clear the driveway of snow. surprised his mom when he whipped out his debit card and created a perfect line for snorting and rolled the $5 bill like nothing…. just goes to show….
I would pay what ever you local minimum wage is plus 1-2 dollars an hour to help a local kid. At that age I would never expect them to work unsupervised, IE be there helping them use them for the bulk of the running and lifting you do the little stuff. In Missouri $12.50 an hour is starting wage for fast food. Old saying is pay peanuts expect to hire monkeys!
If you think the 13 year old can work without supervision, it makes him more valuable for yourself. But, since you already mentioned he is "green" start him at a lower rate. If he does a great job and proves himself, imagine his surprise and enthusiasm when you give him his first pay and announce "since you did such good work, I increased your pay...." His Dad will also be pleased with the fact you did that. I know someone that needed a helper for chores such as yours. His neighbors grandson would not even return his calls. Post high school kid and unemployed..... He found a high school kid that is very reliable, honest and hard working. That was 4 years ago and ha since employed the same workers brother in addition! BTW, he does throw them "extras" every once in awhile. Hopefully, your new hire will work out.
