How Much Do Dog Walkers and Pet Sitters Make?
Typical rates, platform fees, and how to earn more per visit
By the Monthly Income Booster editorial team · Updated · How we research and fact-check
On this topic
Pet care is one of the easiest side hustles to start and one of the most repeatable — the same clients book every week. Pay depends on visit length, whether you use an app, and how many pets or extras are involved.
What BLS data shows (May 2025)
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025 national estimates) puts the median wage for animal caretakers (SOC 39-2021) at $17.00 an hour, or $35,360 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $13.10 an hour and the top 10% more than $24.07. Animal caretakers covers employed dog walkers and pet sitters along with kennel and shelter staff. Independent and app-based walkers are self-employed and not in the survey.
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (lowest-paid 10% earn less) | $13.10 | $27,250 |
| Median | $17.00 | $35,360 |
| 90th (top 10% earn more) | $24.07 | $50,060 |
Worked example
The dog walking income calculator's starting inputs — the per-walk rate and route are examples to replace with your own:
| Input or result | Value |
|---|---|
| Walks per day × days per week | 5 × 5 |
| Rate per 30-minute walk | $22.00 |
| Travel minutes between walks | 10 |
| App commission | 20% |
| Mileage cost per month | $40.00 |
| = Walks per month | 108 |
| = Gross booking income | $2,382 |
| = Take-home per month | $1,865 |
| = Real hourly rate | $25.85 |
What People Charge
Independent walkers commonly price a thirty-minute walk somewhere around the mid-teens to mid-twenties in dollars, with drop-in visits similar and overnight stays several times higher. City rates run above small-town rates. Additional pets in the same household usually add a smaller per-pet fee.
Apps vs Going Direct
Platforms like Rover and Wag bring clients quickly but take a service cut, often around twenty percent for new sitters. Many sitters start on an app to build reviews, then keep repeat clients on direct booking with their own scheduling and payment. Read platform terms before moving anyone off-app.
Raising Your Income Per Hour
Cluster clients in one neighborhood so you can walk several dogs per hour of driving, offer add-ons like medication administration, litter changes, plant watering, and mail collection, and price holidays higher — that is when demand spikes and supply disappears.
Protect Yourself
Use a simple service agreement, ask for vet contact details and emergency authorization, and consider pet sitter liability insurance. Track income and mileage — driving between visits is deductible business mileage.
Official sources
Tax rules, limits and pay data change. Check the current figures with the primary source before acting on them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dog walkers make per hour?+
Walkers who stack visits in a tight area often reach the equivalent of $25 to $40 an hour, while single scattered walks with driving between them come out much lower.
How much do pet sitters charge overnight?+
Overnight stays in the client's home typically command several times a drop-in rate, with holiday weeks priced higher.
Do I need insurance to walk dogs?+
It isn't always legally required, but liability coverage is inexpensive and protects you if a pet is injured or damages property while in your care.
Related Guides
How Much Do Dog Sitters and Walkers Make?
Rates by service type, what the platform takes, and how to fill your calendar
Dog Boarding Rate Calculator: What to Charge Per Night
Nightly rate, occupancy, platform fees, and food costs turned into monthly take-home
Dog Walking Income Calculator: What Walkers Really Earn
Turn walks per day, rates, app commission and driving into real take-home pay
How Much Do House Sitters Make? A Realistic Look at the Pay
What drives nightly rates, what platforms take, and how sitters raise their real hourly
How to Make Money on Facebook Marketplace
Sourcing, listing, and safe selling for cash with no platform fees
How Much Do Handymen Make? Rates and Getting Booked
Minimum call-out fees, what to charge per hour, which jobs to take, and the licensing line you can't cross
Browse the whole site
Build Your Personalized Income Plan
Get an AI-generated plan covering all 20 income types in 60 seconds.
