How Much Do Dog Sitters and Walkers Make?
Rates by service type, what the platform takes, and how to fill your calendar
By the Monthly Income Booster editorial team · Updated · How we research and fact-check
On this topic
Pet care is one of the few side hustles where repeat clients arrive on their own and rates rise with reviews. It's also physical, time-bound work with real liability, so go in with the economics clear.
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 is the BLS line for kennel staff, groomers' assistants, pet sitters and dog walkers who are employees. App sitters on Rover or Wag are self-employed and not counted.
| 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 boarding calculator's starting inputs for in-home boarding through an app — example rates and occupancy, not Rover's prices:
| Input or result | Value |
|---|---|
| Nightly rate per dog | $45.00 |
| Dogs at once | 2 |
| Occupied nights per month | 15 |
| App commission | 20% |
| Food and treats per dog-night | $3.00 |
| Supplies + insurance per month | $65.00 |
| = Monthly before fees | $1,350 |
| = Platform takes | $270.00 |
| = Monthly take-home | $925.00 |
| = Yearly at this occupancy | $11,100 |
The Service Ladder
Drop-in visits and walks pay the least per booking but fit around a job. Daycare pays more per day. Overnight boarding in your home is the highest earner because one booking covers many hours you'd be home anyway. House sitting at the client's place pays well but ties up your evenings.
What the Platform Takes
Booking platforms take a percentage of every job, which is the price of them sending you clients and handling payment and insurance. Repeat clients found through the platform normally must stay on it — read the terms before going direct.
Filling Your Calendar
Fast replies, a complete profile with real photos, and accepting a few lower-paid jobs early to build reviews. After roughly ten strong reviews you can raise rates and turn down the awkward bookings.
The Costs
Extra cleaning, leashes and crates, travel between visits, and occasionally a damaged item. Boarding also means your home is a workplace — some households won't tolerate that.
Scaling Beyond Yourself
The ceiling on solo sitting is the number of hours and animals you can safely handle. Sitters who grow past that either specialise in high-value overnight boarding or move to their own client base with insurance and a business setup.
You may also find these useful: Dog Walking Income Calculator; How Much Do TaskRabbit Taskers Make?; How to Start a Dog Boarding Business From Home; and How Much Do House Sitters Make?.
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 charge per walk?+
Rates depend heavily on your city and the length of the walk. Look at what other sitters near you charge, then set yours just under that until reviews let you move above it.
Is dog boarding more profitable than walking?+
Usually yes per hour committed, because a single overnight booking covers hours you'd already be at home. It also demands more of your household.
Do I need insurance to pet sit?+
Platforms include some protection for bookings made through them. Working directly with clients means arranging your own cover — worth doing before you take private jobs.
Related Guides
How Much Do Dog Walkers and Pet Sitters Make?
Typical rates, platform fees, and how to earn more per visit
How to Start a Dog Boarding Business From Home
Setting your rates, filling your calendar, staying legal, and protecting your house
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 Price a Service So You Actually Make Money
A cost-up pricing method for cleaners, detailers, sitters and freelancers
Dog Boarding Rate Calculator: What to Charge Per Night
Nightly rate, occupancy, platform fees, and food costs turned into monthly take-home
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