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Dog walker salary
Average dog walker salary
$14.85
Understanding Dog Walker Salaries
As of October 2025, the average dog walker salary in the United States is about $30,893 per year or around $15 per hour. This figure can vary widely based on several factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific employer. For instance, dog walkers in urban areas typically earn more due to higher demand and cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level dog walkers may start at lower rates, while those with experience can earn significantly more. For example, dog walkers with five years of experience may see salaries rise to $35,000 or more annually. Additionally, those who specialize in caring for specific breeds or offer additional services, like training or pet sitting, can command higher fees.
Top Paying States
- California: $35,000
- New York: $33,000
- Texas: $30,000
- Florida: $28,000
Understanding these dynamics is crucial for aspiring dog walkers. By researching local demand and tailoring services to meet client needs, dog walkers can increase their earning potential and find rewarding opportunities in their communities.
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Where can a Dog Walker earn more?
Dog walker salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level dog walker | $26,200 | $12.62 |
| Mid-level dog walker | $30,000 | $14.42 |
| Senior-level dog walker | $33,900 | $16.29 |
Dog walker salary estimates from across the web
Average dog walker salary by state
The average dog walker salary in Oregon, California, and North Dakota are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average dog walker salary states are Florida, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for dog walkers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $32,643 | $15.69 |
| 2 | Washington | $33,552 | $16.13 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $33,105 | $15.92 |
| 4 | Oregon | $37,575 | $18.06 |
| 5 | West Virginia | $33,967 | $16.33 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $32,096 | $15.43 |
| 7 | Maine | $33,431 | $16.07 |
| 8 | California | $37,018 | $17.80 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $30,790 | $14.80 |
| 10 | Idaho | $33,715 | $16.21 |
| 11 | Delaware | $31,787 | $15.28 |
| 12 | Arizona | $31,906 | $15.34 |
| 13 | North Dakota | $34,678 | $16.67 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $32,470 | $15.61 |
| 15 | Alaska | $31,763 | $15.27 |
| 16 | Kentucky | $33,040 | $15.88 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $29,353 | $14.11 |
| 18 | District of Columbia | $37,929 | $18.24 |
| 19 | Colorado | $31,573 | $15.18 |
| 20 | Illinois | $30,801 | $14.81 |
| 21 | New York | $30,743 | $14.78 |
| 22 | Utah | $30,055 | $14.45 |
| 23 | Oklahoma | $29,085 | $13.98 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $27,822 | $13.38 |
| 25 | Massachusetts | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| 26 | Texas | $28,667 | $13.78 |
| 27 | South Dakota | $29,155 | $14.02 |
| 28 | Maryland | $28,364 | $13.64 |
| 29 | New Jersey | $28,266 | $13.59 |
| 30 | Vermont | $30,613 | $14.72 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $27,333 | $13.14 |
| 32 | Missouri | $27,525 | $13.23 |
| 33 | Iowa | $28,243 | $13.58 |
| 34 | Michigan | $27,085 | $13.02 |
| 35 | Mississippi | $28,163 | $13.54 |
| 36 | Indiana | $27,453 | $13.20 |
| 37 | Montana | $26,568 | $12.77 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $28,429 | $13.67 |
| 39 | North Carolina | $27,520 | $13.23 |
| 40 | Kansas | $27,709 | $13.32 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $26,621 | $12.80 |
| 42 | Pennsylvania | $24,130 | $11.60 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $25,399 | $12.21 |
| 44 | Florida | $25,320 | $12.17 |
| 45 | Virginia | $24,696 | $11.87 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $26,214 | $12.60 |
| 47 | Georgia | $26,431 | $12.71 |
| 48 | Alabama | $25,386 | $12.20 |
| 49 | Ohio | $22,099 | $10.62 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $22,630 | $10.88 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $23,053 | $11.08 |
Highest paying cities for dog walkers
The highest-paying cities for dog walkers are Washington, DC, San Francisco, CA, and Minneapolis, MN.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $37,941 | $18.24 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| 3 | Minneapolis, MN | $32,560 | $15.65 |
| 4 | Phoenix, AZ | $31,991 | $15.38 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $31,604 | $15.19 |
| 6 | Palatine, IL | $31,090 | $14.95 |
| 7 | Warwick, RI | $30,844 | $14.83 |
| 8 | Rochester, NY | $30,843 | $14.83 |
| 9 | Fall River, MA | $30,536 | $14.68 |
| 10 | San Antonio, TX | $28,910 | $13.90 |
| 11 | Ellicott City, MD | $28,425 | $13.67 |
| 12 | Raleigh, NC | $27,597 | $13.27 |
| 13 | Sandy Springs, GA | $26,512 | $12.75 |
| 14 | Butte-Silver Bow, MT | $26,199 | $12.60 |
| 15 | Alexandria, VA | $25,418 | $12.22 |
| 16 | Orlando, FL | $25,353 | $12.19 |
| 17 | Philadelphia, PA | $24,137 | $11.60 |
| 18 | Charleston, SC | $22,887 | $11.00 |
| 19 | Westlake, OH | $22,573 | $10.85 |
Dog walker salary details
A dog walker's salary ranges from $21,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $44,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a dog walker's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| Average | $30,893 | $2,574 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
Highest paying dog walker jobs
The highest paying types of dog walkers are pet care associate, animal shelter worker, and pet groomer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennel Attendant | $26,373 | $2,198 | $12.68 | 72,239 |
| Animal Care Technician | $29,617 | $2,468 | $14.24 | 96,973 |
| Animal Attendant | $26,394 | $2,199 | $12.69 | 53,000 |
| Animal Daycare Provider | $30,390 | $2,532 | $14.61 | 42,565 |
| Animation Internship | $31,922 | $2,660 | $15.35 | 47,148 |
| Animal Care Provider | $24,866 | $2,072 | $11.95 | 70,701 |
Top companies hiring dog walkers now:
Which companies pay dog walkers the most?
Dog walker salaries at CARE and The Walker Co are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average dog walker salary at companies like Chicago Urban League and Lancaster Rehabilitation Center are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CARE | $33,548 | $16.13 |
| 2 | The Walker Co | $32,768 | $15.75 |
| 3 | Chicago Urban League | $32,177 | $15.47 |
| 4 | Lancaster Rehabilitation Center | $31,353 | $15.07 |
| 5 | Kindred Healthcare | $31,351 | $15.07 |
| 6 | Da Vinci Schools | $30,841 | $14.83 |
| 7 | Valet Living | $30,772 | $14.79 |
| 8 | St Francis | $29,947 | $14.40 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Dog Walker salary by industry
The average dog walker salary varies across industries:
- The average dog walker salary in the professional industry is $30,722, the highest of any industry.
- The average dog walker salary in the finance industry is $30,680.
- Dog walkers in the government industry earn an average salary of $29,490, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for dog walkers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Professional | $30,722 | $14.77 |
| 2 | Hospitality | $30,680 | $14.75 |
| 3 | Telecommunication | $30,589 | $14.71 |
| 4 | Government | $29,490 | $14.18 |
High paying dog walker jobs
Dog walker salary trends
The average dog walker salary has risen by $7,782 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average dog walker earned $23,111 annually, but today, they earn $30,893 a year. That works out to a 19% change in pay for dog walkers over the last decade.
Compare dog walker salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average dog walker salary over time
Compare dog walker salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Dog walker salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $30,900 | $14.85 | +5.0% |
| 2025 | $29,400 | $14.11 | +4.1% |
| 2024 | $28,100 | $13.53 | +3.4% |
| 2023 | $27,200 | $13.07 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $26,000 | $12.52 | +4.5% |
Recently added dog walker salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laughing Pets Atlanta | Dog Walker | Atlanta, GA | 06/29/2025 | $37,566 |
| Pampered Pet Sitting LLC | Seeking Mid Day Dog Walkers | Cherry Hill, NJ | 06/29/2025 | $39,653 |
| Life's a Pooch | Dog Walker | Walpole, MA | 06/28/2025 | $37,566 |
| Barks and Recreation | Dog Walker New London Area | New London, CT | 06/27/2025 | $34,122 |
| Passionately Pets | Dog Walker-OLD Town Alexandria | Alexandria, VA | 06/27/2025 | $50,088 |
| Napps | Dog Walker-DEL RAY | Alexandria, VA | 06/25/2025 | $50,088 |
| The Bark Club Pet Services | Coconut Grove Weekday Dog Walker | Miami, FL | 06/17/2025 | $9,600 |
| Peppy's Pet Care | Mid Day Flexible Dog Walker | Windsor, CO | 06/11/2025 | $12,000 |
| Smart Paws Chicago | Dog Walkers Needed! | Chicago, IL | 06/10/2025 | $20,870 |
| Chester Springs Pet Sitting | Dog Walker Mid Day | Kane, PA | 06/10/2025 | $16,696 |
Dog walker salary FAQs
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