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The average salary for dog walkers and pet sitters is approximately $30,871 per year, translating to about $15 per hour. Salaries can fluctuate based on various factors such as geographical location, years of experience, and specific job roles. For instance, dog walkers in urban areas may command higher rates compared to those in rural settings.
Dog walkers and pet sitters can significantly increase their earnings by focusing on high-demand regions. Cities like San Francisco, New York City, and Los Angeles typically offer higher salaries due to a greater need for pet care services. Additionally, pet sitters offering specialized services, such as overnight stays or training sessions, can charge premium rates.
Experience also plays a crucial role in determining salary. Entry-level positions may start at around $14.84 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn upwards of $20 per hour. As you gain experience, consider expanding your services or establishing your own pet care business to maximize your earning potential.
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| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level dog walker/pet sitter | $26,200 | $12.61 |
| Mid-level dog walker/pet sitter | $30,000 | $14.41 |
| Senior-level dog walker/pet sitter | $33,800 | $16.27 |
The highest-paying states for dog walker/pet sitters are New York, California, and North Dakota. The lowest average dog walker/pet sitter salary states are Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and New Jersey.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho | $33,138 | $15.93 |
| 2 | West Virginia | $34,466 | $16.57 |
| 3 | Washington | $33,470 | $16.09 |
| 4 | California | $36,645 | $17.62 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $32,919 | $15.83 |
| 6 | Maine | $33,596 | $16.15 |
| 7 | New York | $37,811 | $18.18 |
| 8 | Delaware | $32,380 | $15.57 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $32,295 | $15.53 |
| 10 | Nevada | $31,706 | $15.24 |
| 11 | Arizona | $30,795 | $14.81 |
| 12 | Wyoming | $28,740 | $13.82 |
| 13 | North Dakota | $34,868 | $16.76 |
| 14 | Alaska | $31,759 | $15.27 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $30,768 | $14.79 |
| 16 | Kentucky | $33,043 | $15.89 |
| 17 | Minnesota | $32,846 | $15.79 |
| 18 | District of Columbia | $38,586 | $18.55 |
| 19 | Oregon | $32,303 | $15.53 |
| 20 | Illinois | $30,094 | $14.47 |
| 21 | Colorado | $29,554 | $14.21 |
| 22 | Vermont | $30,758 | $14.79 |
| 23 | Massachusetts | $31,152 | $14.98 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $28,140 | $13.53 |
| 25 | Michigan | $27,459 | $13.20 |
| 26 | Utah | $29,026 | $13.95 |
| 27 | Maryland | $28,926 | $13.91 |
| 28 | South Dakota | $29,291 | $14.08 |
| 29 | Iowa | $28,428 | $13.67 |
| 30 | Hawaii | $26,942 | $12.95 |
| 31 | Indiana | $27,725 | $13.33 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $28,292 | $13.60 |
| 33 | Kansas | $27,182 | $13.07 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $28,257 | $13.59 |
| 35 | Texas | $27,705 | $13.32 |
| 36 | Montana | $26,479 | $12.73 |
| 37 | Georgia | $27,797 | $13.36 |
| 38 | Missouri | $27,115 | $13.04 |
| 39 | North Carolina | $27,436 | $13.19 |
| 40 | Florida | $24,937 | $11.99 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $27,493 | $13.22 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $25,648 | $12.33 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $25,950 | $12.48 |
| 44 | Pennsylvania | $24,511 | $11.78 |
| 45 | Virginia | $25,016 | $12.03 |
| 46 | Alabama | $24,770 | $11.91 |
| 47 | Tennessee | $22,289 | $10.72 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $22,727 | $10.93 |
| 49 | Ohio | $22,431 | $10.78 |
| 50 | New Mexico | $24,409 | $11.74 |
| 51 | New Jersey | $24,034 | $11.55 |
The highest-paying cities for dog walker/pet sitters are New York, NY, Santa Monica, CA, and Seattle, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $37,816 | $18.18 |
| 2 | Santa Monica, CA | $36,487 | $17.54 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $33,492 | $16.10 |
| 4 | Torrington, CT | $32,823 | $15.78 |
| 5 | Attleboro, MA | $31,255 | $15.03 |
| 6 | North Kingstown, RI | $30,888 | $14.85 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $30,877 | $14.84 |
| 8 | Park Ridge, IL | $30,328 | $14.58 |
| 9 | Milwaukee, WI | $28,094 | $13.51 |
| 10 | Atlanta, GA | $27,905 | $13.42 |
| 11 | Wake Forest, NC | $27,817 | $13.37 |
| 12 | Waco, TX | $27,739 | $13.34 |
| 13 | Dearborn, MI | $27,413 | $13.18 |
| 14 | Arlington, VA | $25,911 | $12.46 |
A dog walker/pet sitter's salary ranges from $20,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $45,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| Average | $30,871 | $2,573 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $20,000 | $1,667 | $10 |
The highest paying types of dog walker/pet sitters are pet care associate, animal shelter worker, and pet groomer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Daycare Provider | $30,390 | $2,532 | $14.61 | 42,565 |
| Animal Care Provider | $24,866 | $2,072 | $11.95 | 70,701 |
| Kennel Attendant | $26,373 | $2,198 | $12.68 | 72,239 |
| Animal Caregiver | $27,665 | $2,305 | $13.30 | 57,251 |
| Bather | $31,051 | $2,588 | $14.93 | 56,255 |
| Animal Care Technician | $29,617 | $2,468 | $14.24 | 96,973 |
Top companies hiring dog walker/pet sitters now:
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CARE | $33,297 | $16.01 |
| 2 | Fetch! Pet Care | $30,833 | $14.82 |
| 3 | Pet Sitter | $30,790 | $14.80 |
The average dog walker/pet sitter salary has risen by $7,777 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average dog walker/pet sitter earned $23,094 annually, but today, they earn $30,871 a year. That works out to a 19% change in pay for dog walker/pet sitters over the last decade.
Compare dog walker/pet sitter salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare dog walker/pet sitter salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $30,900 | $14.84 | +5.0% |
| 2024 | $29,300 | $14.10 | +4.1% |
| 2023 | $28,100 | $13.52 | +3.4% |
| 2022 | $27,200 | $13.06 | +4.2% |
| 2021 | $26,000 | $12.51 | +4.5% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laughing Pets Atlanta | Dog Walker/Pet Sitter Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | 06/29/2025 | $37,566 |
| Woofie's | Dog Walker and Pet Sitter Woofie's of Western Loudoun | Purcellville, VA | 06/14/2025 | $27,131 |
| Barks and Recreation | Dog Walker & Pet Sitter | New London, CT | 06/12/2025 | $34,122 |
| Floofins | Dog Walker/Pet Sitter Friday Evenings and Weekends | La Grange, IL | 06/12/2025 | $31,305 |
| Mary Puppins The Pet Nanny | Pet Sitter and Dog Walker | Gainesville, GA | 06/10/2025 | $27,131 |
| Green Paws Chicago | Chicagoland Dog Walker and Pet Sitter | Chicago, IL | 06/05/2025 | $34,000 |
| Furry Fellas Pet Service | Evening and Weekend Pet Sitter/Dog Walker | North Kingstown, RI | 06/02/2025 | $33,392 |
| Woofie's | Pet Sitter/Dog Walker Woofie's of Gaithersburg | Gaithersburg, MD | 05/15/2025 | $33,392 |
| Napps | Dog Walker/Pet Sitter Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | 05/14/2025 | $37,566 |
| Pawfect Pet Sitter | Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers for Tail Wags | Cave Creek, AZ | 05/14/2025 | $9,600 |
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