If you love being around dogs and enjoy walking them, becoming a dog walker can be a great way to make extra money while working flexible hours. You won't have to work 40 or 50 hours per week unless you want to, so you'll have more time for yourself and your loved ones. The amount you earn depends on many factors, including who you're working for, the neighborhood you live in, and the number of dogs you're walking.
Dog Walker Salary
According to Indeed, the average salary for a dog walker is $17.56 per hour. This can vary widely depending on the experience and skills of the dog walker, as well as the location, size, and nature of the employer. The lowest hourly pay is recorded at $11.39 per hour, with the highest going up to $27.06 per hour. Not including taxes and expenses, working full time, this adds up to:
| Payment | Low-End | Average | High-End |
| Weekly | $455.60 | $702.40 | $1,082.40 |
| Monthly | $1,972.74 | $3,041.39 | $4,686.79 |
| Annually | $23,672.88 | $36,496.70 | $56,241.50 |
You don't have to go with a dog walking service, either. Many people have found success starting their own dog walking business. Others prefer to be employed by a larger company that offers access to regular clients, and benefits such as vacation time and insurance.
Working Independently
If you're considering entrepreneurship as a way to make money from home, dog walking may be one of the most profitable side businesses you can start. The benefit is, you typically don't need a lot of capital to get started, either.
If you choose not to work for a specific company and start a dog walking service on your own, the only limits on what you can earn are what you can put into it and how much time you have. If you want to make more money than the average dog walker makes, you'll need to work hard, build a client list, and be willing to put in long hours. But if you're willing to hustle, there's no reason why your earnings can't reach six figures per year.
Factors that Affect Dog Walking Income
Your earning potential as a dog walker depends on several factors. The most important factor is the number of dogs you walk each day. If you're able to walk more than one dog at a time, you can make more money in an hour.
Some other factors that affect your income include:
- The area where you live. If your neighborhood is higher-income and has a lot of people who are willing to pay for dog walking services, then it's likely that you'll be able to charge more per walk than someone who lives in a low-income area with fewer customers.
- The size and type of dog being walked. Large dogs require more exercise than small dogs do, so owners are more likely to hire professional dog walkers to take care of them on a regular basis. They may also be willing to pay more for this service than owners of smaller pets would be willing to spend.
- How long it takes for each dog to be walked. Dogs that are anxious about leaving their homes will take longer than average, which means that they'll need more time from a professional walking service as well as from their owner.
Offer Additional Services
As you're starting out, it's probably best to focus on dog walking. However, keep in mind that there are other ways to earn money through your business. If you have experience with animals, you can offer additional services such as house sitting and pet sitting, as well as pet transport. These services tend to be more lucrative than walking dogs, but they also require more time commitment and expertise in order to be successful.
These extra services allow you to charge a higher rate than just providing regular dog walking services because they take up more of your time. They also give potential clients an idea of what else they could get from working with you besides just walking their dog!
Get Started
If you're looking for a way to supplement your income while working a flexible schedule, dog walking is an excellent option. You can work at your own pace and choose when it's best for you to walk dogs. It doesn't matter if it's early in the morning or late at night; you decide how much time each dog needs on their walks and how often they should be walked. Now, all you need to decide is if you want to work for yourself or through a company.
