How Much Do Dog Walkers Make?

Dog walker salaries reported across the web indicate that dog walkers earn an average of $10–$30 per hour as of June 2024. This equates to dog walkers earning $1,000–$4,500 a month or $15,000–$65,000 a year.

Average Dog Walker Salaries

However, dog walker hourly rate figures are a bit misleading. Rather than asking how much dog walkers make an hour, we should be asking how much dog walkers earn per walk.

This is because dog walkers generally charge a flat rate per session instead charging hourly rates. To give you a more realistic idea of how much dog walkers get paid, the table below shows standard dog walker rates for walking one dog.

Typical Dog Walking Rates According to Walk Duration

Note: Rates obtained from Wag! and reflect prices for walking one dog.

How do dog walkers get paid?

If you choose to work through a dog walking app, you’ll need to use whatever payment method the app uses. Here’s a summary of the payment methods used by major dog walking apps:

• Rover: Payments are processed through Stripe and are deposited into your bank account within 5 business days of job completion.
• Wag!: Payments are processed through Stripe and are deposited into your bank account every Friday. Instant Pay is also available for an additional 3% fee.
• TaskRabbit: Payments are directly deposited into your linked checking account within 3–5 days of job completion.
• Holidog: You and the client arrange payments off the app.

On the other hand, if you work as an independent dog walker, you and the client have full freedom to decide for yourself how and when you’re paid. You can ask for cash, bank transfers, or money transfers through online payment services like PayPal or Venmo.

Getting paid through an app offers convenience and security—you won’t need to request payment, and there’s no risk of the client not paying. The drawback is that most apps come with some sort of fee, which lowers your overall earning potential.

There are several reasons why dog walker salaries and rates can vary. Below, we’ll break down the main factors affecting a professional dog walker’s salary.

Number of dogs

As a dog walker, you’re bound to come across gigs that require walking more than one dog at a time. It’s very common for dog walkers to charge an extra fee of $3–$5 (or more) for each additional dog walked. This is because of the added difficulty that comes with managing multiple dogs.

Location and demand

Location plays a big role in how much clients are willing to pay you for dog walking services. Sites publishing dog walker salary data consistently highlight California and New York as places where dog walkers tend to earn the highest rates.

Top 5 Highest-Paying States for Dog Walkers

Source: Zippia.

Bottom 5 Lowest-Paying States for Dog Walkers

Source: Zippia.

This figures show that dog walkers in the highest-paying state (New York) earn roughly 55% more than those in the lowest-paying state (New Mexico). This discrepancy is largely related to differences in cost of living, but demand is also an important factor.

Even within states, you’ll find plenty of variation in how much money the average dog walker makes. Dog walker pay rates tend to be higher in urban areas, specifically big cities. Moreover, some areas are simply more likely to be home to busy families with disposable income and pets in need of some extra attention.

Your experience and reputation

In the field of dog walking, trust is paramount. Accidents can and do happen, and dog parents are aware of the risks. Many are willing to pay more for the peace of mind of knowing that their dog is in the hands of an experienced dog walker with a good track record.

Your reputation largely comes from reviews, references, and testimonials. This is the main reason why beginner dog walkers earn less than more established walkers. Acquiring good reviews is one of the quickest and most efficient ways to earn more money from dog walking.

Dog size and needs

Different dogs have different walking requirements, and some jobs require dog walkers with expertise. For example, walking a fully trained and well-behaved adult dog is completely different to walking a young puppy or dog with behavioral issues. Larger dogs can also be more difficult to control.

In addition to the dog’s unique needs, some owners may have special requests, such as taking their dog to a particular park or even doing some jogging rather than just walking. These owners may be willing to pay higher rates to guarantee their dog receives the extra care and attention required.

Whether you’re using a dog walking app

Your earning potential from dog walking will vary depending on how you find your clients. There are plenty of dog walking apps to help you connect with dog owners in need of a walker. However, most of these apps come with some sort of fee—be it a one-time signup fee, monthly or yearly subscription, background check fee, or commission fee.

On the other hand, if you start an independent dog walking business and find your clients on your own, you’ll be able to keep 100% of your earnings (minus taxes and any relevant expenses). You can find clients through your own personal network, local listings, online ads, or social media.

The catch is that it usually takes longer to establish a client base and start earning, and it’s significantly more effort. But this is a good approach if you want to start a serious business and you’re okay with sacrificing some of your earning potential in the beginning while you’re building up a client base.

How you plan your route

With gigs like dog walking, a lot of valuable time is lost on commuting from place to place. You can maximize your per-hour rate by scheduling walks in the same area back to back.

This won’t always be possible, and it requires careful planning to ensure you give each dog a long enough walk and arrive on time. But if you’re savvy enough to make it work, you can substantially increase your take-home pay from dog walking.

Walk duration

Some owners want you to give their dog a 20-minute walk, whereas others will want their dog treated to a longer walk of 1 hour or more. Naturally, the amount of money you can make walking dogs is higher for longer walks, although per-minute earnings generally drop the longer the walk is.

For example, you might expect a 60-minute walk to be triple the rate of a 20-minute walk. The reality is that you’ll get paid closer to double. This is because it’s less hassle for you to prolong a single walk then to start a new walk with a different dog.

Certifications and training

If you have any additional training or qualifications related to dog care, you can increase your fees. For example, if you’re certified as a dog trainer or have trained to work with dogs with behavioral problems, you can offer special services at higher rates.

Equally, if you’re trained in doggy first aid or have received special training in working with dogs with special medical needs, your qualifications will reassure owners that their pet will be safe with you.

Additional services

If you have the skills and training to provide other services, like grooming or behavioral training, you can offer these services for an extra fee to your customers. Even if you don’t have that extra training, you could offer add-ons like extra exercise or excursions.

Here are just a few examples of dog walking add-on services:

• Dog training
• Exercise programs
• Health monitoring
• Bathing
• Pet taxi services
• Pet grooming
• Pet photography
• Pet supplies delivery

Dog walking is one of the cheapest side hustles to start. Most people don’t need to spend anything upfront, except for app fees (if you’re using a dog walking app). With that said, every side hustle has certain costs that can detract from your overall earnings.

How much does a dog walker make after expenses? We’ll help you find out by laying out the costs and expenses you should take into account when estimating your earnings.

Dog walking equipment

There are basic supplies that every dog walker should have on hand:

• Leashes: Your clients may already have their own, but you may need to provide them in some cases.
• Dog treats: Treats always come in handy, and they earn you extra points with your new buddy.
• Waste bags: Needless to say, these are a must. It’s your responsibility to pick up each dog’s waste and dispose of it correctly.
• Toys: Dog toys aren’t essential, but they’re a great way to bond with new dogs.
• Seasonal gear: Depending on where you live and the time of year, you may need to think about bringing a raincoat, rainboots, or winter wear.
• Walking shoes: This goes without saying, but make sure you wear comfortable shoes.

Coming prepared with these items will make your job easier and less stressful. In particular, bringing your own leashes can lower the risk of accidents happening if a client leaves you with a low-quality leash.

Business expenses

Once your business starts growing, you’ll need to start thinking about some of the extra costs that will start coming up.

Here are examples of costs you may need to cover:

• Business cards
• Website (domain name, hosting, and website design)
• Marketing (digital and/or traditional)
• Business license registration
• Insurance
• Transportation costs
• Taxes
• Accounting services

Not all of these business expenses are required. For example, accounting costs are something you’ll only need to worry about if you’re operating a large dog walking business.

Taxes and liability insurance, on the other hand, are things you’ll need to consider regardless of what route you take to become a dog walker—unless you happen to find a job as an employee dog walker (which is rare). Most dog walkers are independent contractors or business owners who need to pay their own income taxes.

Preparing yourself for the costs associated with dog walking will help you maintain financial stability and give you a more realistic idea of what you’ll actually be earning as a dog walker.