However, the current economic climate has made finding such jobs difficult, leading students, particularly from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, to seek work within the Indian community.

Babysitting is seen as a safe and viable option, with students earning between $13 and $18 per hour. Some employers also provide meals, accommodation, or both.

“I babysit a six-year-old boy for about eight hours a day and get paid $13 an hour. I also get a meal for taking care of the boy,” a student from Hyderabad studying in Ohio, told TOI’s Nirupa Vatyam, adding that it was preferable to working in a local store or gas station.

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Another student in Connecticut shared, “I have to take care of a two-and-a-half-year-old six days a week. For those six days, food and accommodation are taken care of by the girl’s parents. On Sundays, I stay in my friend’s room.”

While she earns $10 per hour, the included rent makes the job worthwhile, especially considering the average student rent of $300 per month. States with larger Indian populations, such as California, Texas, and New York, see lower pay for babysitting due to increased supply and lower demand.According to the Open Doors 2024 report, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, and Connecticut are among the states hosting significant numbers of Indian students. Texas leads with approximately 39,000 Indian students, followed by Illinois with 20,000, Ohio with 13,500, and Connecticut with 7,000.

On average, students spend $300 monthly on rent. With these numbers, the combined spending by Indian students on housing in these states contributes substantially to the local economy. Texas alone sees a monthly rental expenditure of around $11.7 million by Indian students, assuming all rent at the stated average.