Excellent points @Mare_Bear.
My first pro cuddle was with a woman who had over 10 years experience, a previous psychology background, and also massage experience. I paid $220 an hour but she had her own space which was beautiful, calm, good lighting, inviting smell, etc.
I was able to talk about some of my trauma and what this service meant to me and why I was seeking it out out as I had reached a plateau with traditional therapy. Light massage was offered and she brought up really interesting ideas about how trauma lives in the body, and recommended reading The Body Keeps The Score which was really helpful in better understanding my trauma at the time. I saw her once a month for many months before deciding to become a pro myself.
I understand that some people's rates may be out of reach for some, but I feel this is moreso a problem with men's inability to platonically physically interact with one another, as there is no shortage of non-pros they could reach out to and engage with and likely aren't simply because they're male.
Ultimately the rate for therapy, massage, or even s*x work is all going to be much higher. The average massage rate in my area for a 90-minute massage is $90 to $175 and 10-20% gratuity is often expected on top of that. My therapy sessions were about $150-200 an hour.
For me the cost is worth it, and it doesn't hurt to ask for a lower rate for a valid reason, the worst they can say is no. Like a know for you @HealingSystem being blind may mean you're on a fixed income. You can always tell a pro that and see if they'll lower it for you. I have lowered/not charged deaf or blind clients before because I work in healthcare and understand how financially hard things are for disabled individuals as is.
Ultimately the services a pro provides are a "luxury" in the sense they're not 'needed' and is priced accordingly. There's always the option of seeking out non-pros, going to community cuddle events (eventbrite is a decent site to look for them), Cuddle Parties, or even certain types of group yoga can be more physical. Goat yoga sounds silly but it's actually very nice and having the little guys jump on your back is very calming and fun in the same way cuddling is. I've even seen puppy yoga where kennels will bring unadopted puppies to help them socialize and they help lower stress for you- win win!
As mentioned by someone else, there is a price limit filter that can be applied in your search. Set that limit and you'll never have to see people who charge more than you want to pay.
Nothing more to see here.
I'm sure the OP was not trying to challenge the price of cuddles, it seemed like a question of curiosity. So i hope it doesn't go the way of many other threads.
I've seen $200 + i never would consider that much for an hour, however if i have a bunch of money burning a hole in my pocket and wanted to why not.
Frankly a good cuddle is worth whatever you can afford, or are willing to pay. I mean, it be nice if they all were free but it also be nice not to be in a website to find them. In the grand scheme it isn't a whole lot of money. But if you require it a lot it's going to cost a lot at any rate. Just like a massage, pedicure or hair cut.
Depends on your need and the results. I stopped getting haircuts when they started costing more that $25 dollars, unfortunately i can't go back if i wanted to. Well i guess i could pay someone to shave my head clean and plenty of people do that. I'm just hoping to never be one of those people.
It is all relative. Paying any amount for cuddling is "crazy" to some people whereas to others $200/hour is nothing.
$150/hour isn't really that unusual, especially if the cuddler lives in a high-cost area or an area where there are a lot of wealthy people like the SF Bay area where I reside.
As for me, I don't like to ascribe non-platonic motivations based solely on someone's professional rate nor do I like the idea of shaming professionals for their rate. Not pointing at anyone in this thread or saying anyone is doing that; just see this a lot in general on the forums. As some others have said, if they aren't getting customers they will have to lower their rates and if they are getting enough bookings to suit them, good for them.
As for me, if I don't like someone's rate for anything--cuddling, plumber, LMT--I move along and find someone whose rate aligns with my expectations.
I think the highest I've seen is $400/hour.
One suggestion I would make for people on a budget is to consider going to a cuddle party if you can find one in your area.
👍👍👍
@HarleyGirlKate
$200, which i believe is too high.
sweet spot for me is 100, sub 100, like 70 or 80 is really nice.
occasionally have done 120, though usually got a discount when getting 3 hours, making the average hourly rate slightly below 100.
I seen a male pro post for $300/hour. No karma though.
Ill cuddle for a steak dinner. No chain crap and it must be smothered in herb butter with a nice char. Sides are negotiable.
I make a darn good steak. But it's a neutral steak. It doesn't take sides.
Someone I used to see for around $120/hr suddenly bumped up her price to $300/hr. I have a feeling she is busy with other jobs and is willing to cuddle only if someone desperately wants it and doesn’t mind spending premium to cuddle with her.
I saw someone for $650 per hour recently. Basically if I see anyone over $200 an hour I assume they are probably offering something more than hugging. Truthfully, anyone over $130 and I start thinking "Why would you think your time is worth that much to me?" It's not being cheap, it just sort of seems to me through trial and error to be the threshold between loving and genuine and just a job and feeling like a product. I fully respect that it's a business to some and wish them all good things and hope they do really well,
When I started cuddling 6 years ago pre-pandemic rates in the Washington, D.C. area were generally between $80 and $120 an hour. Prices skyrocketed during the pandemic and never came down to where the hourly rates are generally between $125 and hour to $175, with quite a few cuddles advertising at $250 or more an hour. Suffice it to say I haven't cuddle in quite awhile... it's hard to enjoy something when you are thinking, I'm paying $2 or $3 a minute or more for the experience...
In New York it is common to see prices in the range of 150 to 200. I've paid up to 180 I believe.
Me personally I seen rates in the 300/hr rate. But I have seen someone with 200/hrs but wanted a minimum of 2 hours.
Now that I answered the OP question. I will say me personally if someone's rate is higher than I'm willing to pay I just don't engage with that pro. I don't believe should have to be told what they are worth or anything of that nature. If we being honestly anyone I have cuddled with I couldn't afford what I truly felt the session was worth to me. My experiences were priceless
@jackwallace I saw that $950 an hour too. I was wondering if she mistyped and meant $95/hr.
Some rate should be higher cause how much men are demanding in cuddling and men don't act like you don't ask too much .some you don't even take a shower showing up and some breath smell we all have to deal with that some ask to wear bra and underwear so why you guys are complaining
I think people need other people so much in that if they do pay xyz dollars to be cuddled, by a high profile person or professional it is because they found someone they believe “cares” for them. Every cuddle I do I genuinely care about my clients well being, their health-mental and body. People argue about the money and will always do so, but in my opinion Cuddlers are serving a greater role, we are a nation of souls desperately trying to find purpose in our lives and we need one another in this quest. Relationships end, and the warmth of it goes along so what’s left? Meaningless dating? It’s a tough world out there, cuddling has been a best solution for thousands of people so smile! And cuddle-on, we are all here for the journey! Make yours a warm & cozy one!
I hear what you’re saying, @herby357 .
I have some mental health struggles that cause me to feel anxious and insecure. I can get so anxious about the cost of a splurge, (a massage, a fancy dinner, a movie date, a trip to the Ren Faire or an amusement park) that the feeling mars my enjoyment of the experience. For me, this anxiety doesn’t rationally correspond to whether or not I can afford the experience.
With cuddles this can be even more challenging. Because they are so effective at helping me ease my anxiety, I feel like I need cuddles quite regularly. But pro cuddles can be costly.
I ended up making myself a budget. And when I stick to it, I worry less and enjoy myself more. Again, it’s not like my spending changes. But being able to remind myself that, “this money is in the budget specifically for this experience” has been a game changer for me.
I hope that helps.
🐒
PS Any pro in my area, who is open to offering a discount on a one-time or ongoing basis, please let me know.
@herby357 "When I started cuddling 6 years ago pre-pandemic rates in the Washington, D.C. area were generally between $80 and $120 an hour. Prices skyrocketed during the pandemic and never came down to where the hourly rates are generally between $125 and hour to $175, with quite a few cuddles advertising at $250 or more an hour. Suffice it to say I haven't cuddle in quite awhile... it's hard to enjoy something when you are thinking, I'm paying $2 or $3 a minute or more for the experience..."
Like that here in Los Angeles too and I feel the same. It's just not the same and lost the appeal for me, When I started walking away from a cuddling session feeling used and kinda sad about it then that was enough for me. I haven't cuddled in a while either. But at the same time, I know that there are lots of people who get a lot more out of it then I do and really need that human touch, I'm glad they have an outlet and respect the professional cuddlers who provide it. I think it's a brave thing to do too, they have to think about safety, meeting some people they don't know in an intimate setting and that is incredibly brave and I have a lot of respect for that. If supply and demand dictates it then they should get whatever they deserve. And for the person that needs it, you can't really put a price on your own mental health or happiness.
Personally, in more affluent markets I think anything over maybe $150 is absurd, but, I AM a free market guy over here so let women ask whatever they want and let the chips fall where they may. Water always finds it’s level.
Seen a few around 200 quid an hour, which is why I won't use Pros
As one of the people who exclaimed over the prices, it's a geninue exclaimation and less of a critique of pros rates.
Someone helpfully compared rates pre during & after Covid. The times when id researched a pro was pre Covid and it was at a budget friendly rate of £60, clearely im struggling to adapt to the c new cost of living. Nor keeping up with the rates pros charge 4 a few years.
The additional services some have listed would definitely makes me reconsider what I'd budget. I didn't consider/ appreciate those additional services. Thank you.
Average in my area is $100 an hour. There was a pro asking $150 but she later dropped her price. I assume she wasn't getting any business.
I second what Mike said about higher rates allowing us to be more selective with who we cuddle with. People who are on here to abuse the system and potentially cause harm to the pro are much less likely to inquire with a rate even slightly above market average. And I also agree with the sentiment that if you are a good client, and the vibe is right, we usually offer discounts! Also, 150 is only slightly above average market rate in some areas. EDIT TO ADD: as a pro, I enjoy customizing the experience to meet the diverse needs of my clients! Many of them are interested in aromatherapy, massage therapy, dry cupping, tarot, oracle, crystal healing, sound healing, grounding/earthing etc. I am keenly aware of the fact that they are spending their hard earned money on these sessions, and I strive to make every penny worth it while fostering a unique and relaxing environment. Some people charge 150 an hour for just one of those aspects. I think 150 an hour for a holistic and tailored experience in one of the most expensive markets in the country is a great deal in and of it itself, and I still offer discounts to my favorite clients!
I've seen up to $500, which made me jaw dropped considering they did actually have karma.
I'd say my rate is pretty low. I started at 35/hr, but soon realized that after my expenses, I was just losing money. The 15% fee on top of that really sucks for longer sessions. 100/hr is probably the sweet spot for me to make a bit more than my actual job while covering all the travel expenses, but I don't feel like raising it currently.
Historically high inflation the last few years has made groceries, rent, gas, and goods so much more expensive so I imagine that’s why. I wish I could charge for cuddling :-)
I fully support pros charging whatever they want and either being open, or not, to negotiating discounts based on length of cuddle, repeat clients, etc. With that said, here is a little context to frame the issue…
According to the U.S. Dept of Labor, as of Q4 2023, the average annual earnings for a woman in the United States is $53,404. Also according to Dept of Labor, people between 35 and 44 (the age of many pros on CC) earn about 14% more than the national average so not adjusting for education or geography, the average woman between 35-44 would earn around $60,774 per year or roughly $30 / hour (assuming 40 hour work week * 50 weeks).
These numbers are AVERAGES. As of Q2 2024, the median income (the middle income where half of women earn more and half earn less) for women age 35-44 was $1,114 per week for a full time employee ($27.85 per hour). https://data.bls.gov/pdq/SurveyOutputServlet
I realize there is additional time spent communicating with and vetting potential clients and in either preparing to host or driving to where a pro is being hosted so a 2 hour cuddle definitely takes more than 2 hours. I also realize there is a “safety factor” involved for women pros but the same is true for women Uber drivers who pick up strangers in their vehicles at 1:00 am so I have no idea how to factor safety into prices.
The bottom line is for a woman to charge $100 per hour and host, she is making about 3X the average hourly rate if you do not take the additional time spent communicating, vetting and preparing into account. That figure probably drops to 1.5 or 2X the average hourly wages if you do take those things into account. I don’t have any problem with that.
If a woman wants to charge $150 per hour, that is certainly her right to do so but that is beyond what I am personally willing to pay.
But Pros are very unlikely to cuddle 40 hours a week. IMO This is not a fair comparison. ⭐️(Apology if I misunderstood your comment @WestsideMarc) When you calculate prep time, everything that goes into the session before and after and expenses, it certainly does not come out to $100 per hour (or whatever their rate is) x 40 hours per week! Did I misunderstand your point? I would guess that most pros do this to supplement an income that is below the national average, to get their earnings close to the national average. And many pros do this as their only income. They likely do not have 40 Cuddle sessions per week at their hourly rate! But again I’m just guessing. When I was a Pro, it was my full-time job. I averaged about $600 a week. Maintaining communication with potential and regular cuddlers, prep time and emotional investment accounted for quite a few hours in addition to the actual Cuddle sessions. (And there was definitely an emotional toll that goes with cuddling professionally, the contact with so many people In an intimate setting, who begin as strangers, Dealing with the pushy ones, keeping it professional, turning off feelings after the session is over, and the worry, It can be wonderful, but it can be stressful).
Just some additional information - my last full-time job was as an Architectural Drafter for a national home builder. (I have a BFA). Apparently I was paid below average at approximately $24 an hour. So thanks for making me feel pretty low about the career I loved with all of your information of averages. You quote averages, but I think of millions of individual women who make way less money than men for the same job though they are supporting a family alone, And are definitely having trouble getting by in the current economy.
I think every city has a threshold. There is an average 80-125 Some a little more like 140-160 range Highest I have seen is 500 in nyc
All the pros cuddlers in a 20 mile radius from me are female. Most people who are on here who are pros are female and yet there are alot of men on here that wants cuddles and they do not charge. I even went on a few men profiles to see their "karmas" and I can only find females who are pros that they have seen. Basically what I am saying is based on this website if a woman enjoys a nice cuddle with someone they prefer to charge them for it, men do not. I also notice the prettier the girl, the more expensive she charges for her time to cuddle.