Dog walking is a big business in the United States. According to Fortunly, Americans spent over $979.2 million on dog walking in 2021. But how much does it cost to hire a dog walker in different cities? In this blog post, we’ll compare the prices of dog walking in 6 major US cities, covering a broad spectrum of locations with varying costs of living.
We’ll also provide tips on how to find a qualified and affordable dog walker. So whether you’re a dog owner just moving to a new city or simply checking how your city compares, read on for all you need to know about dog walking prices in the United States!
Dog Walker Price Range in the United States
On average, most dog walkers charge $25 for a 30-minute walk and $35 for a 1-hour walk in different cities throughout the USA.
Factors that Affect Dog Walker Price
Geographic Location
There are a few factors that contribute to how much dog walkers charge per hour. One of the most important factors is geographic location. In general, dog walkers in larger cities tend to charge more per hour than those in smaller towns or rural areas.
The cost of living is usually higher in larger cities, so dog walkers need to charge enough to cover their own expenses. Additionally, dog walking services are usually in greater demand in cities where yards are not as prevalent, so dog walkers can charge more for their time and expertise.
Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule. Some small towns may have a very high cost of living, while others may have a thriving pet industry that drives up prices for dog walking services. It’s important to do your research before hiring a dog walker, no matter where you live.
Group vs Private Walks
There are a few key factors that affect the price of dog walking services, including group size and whether the walk is private or shared with other dogs. In general, group walks tend to be less expensive than private walks, but the actual cost difference will vary depending on the specific service provider.
In terms of group size, smaller groups typically cost more per dog than larger groups. This is because small groups allow for more individualized attention and care, which can be beneficial for dogs who may need a little extra help during their walk.
It’s also important to keep in mind that not all dogs do well in large groups, so it’s important to choose a group size that is appropriate for your dog’s personality and needs.
Duration of Walks
It should go without saying that longer walks will cost more than shorter walks. Hour-long walks and half-hour-long walks are the standard time durations, though some dog walkers also offer walks in different time increments, both shorter and longer. Another common option is a 15-minute walk.
If you have senior dogs or dogs with mobility issues, you may want to find regular walks for your dog with shorter time increments.
In most areas, this is the main factor in determining dog walking rates.
You’ll want to discuss with dog walkers or dog walking services whether or not travel expenses are included in this. Some companies may charge for travel costs, such as gas to get to your home.
Multiple Dogs
Similar to the duration of walks, it should go without saying that if you have an additional dog or dogs, your dog walker cost will likely double. Some experienced walkers with a solid business may give a slight discount for walking more than one dog, but not all will. Walking a single dog will always be cheaper than walking a number of dogs.
It’s important to discuss this with your potential dog walker before deciding on someone who will walk your furry best friend(s).
Dog Breed & Size
One factor that many dog owners don’t always take into consideration is the size and breed of the dog or dogs to be walked. Some dog walkers have breed restrictions if they are uncomfortable with a certain breed or size.
Large dogs and dogs that are typically more aggressive than others will likely garner a higher charge for dog walking services.
This may also depend on the size of your dog walker! A tiny woman may not have the physical strength or stamina to keep a huge Great Dane under control, so she may either opt not to walk these types of dogs or charge extra if she needs help from a friend or colleague.
Additional Services
Dog walkers can offer a variety of extra services or add-ons, which can affect the price of dog walking. Sometimes these additional services are part of a package deal or they can be purchased individually.
Some extra services that dog walkers can offer include feeding, watering, more than one walk, pet sitting, and daily exercise for the dog. Other extra services may include administering medication, bathing the dog, house sitting, and providing transportation to and from appointments.
The price of these extra services will vary depending on the dog walker’s experience, the length of time required, and the number of dogs involved.
Dog Walker Price in Major US Cities
The way we’ve broken down dog walking rates throughout the United States is by comparing cities that have varying costs of living.
We’ve used Numbeo’s ratings in order to give you an array of prices throughout the country. A rating of 100.00 is (almost) the highest in the United States, with NYC holding on to that spot. The lowest cost of living in the USA is in the low 60s.
For each of the cities we’ve compared with regard to dog walking prices, we’ve included the Numbeo score in parentheses, so you can get an idea of where each city stacks up.
One thing to keep in mind is that these are all fairly major cities in the United States. As a general rule of thumb, the cost of living in cities is much higher than in small towns. If you’re living in or moving to a small town, you can safely assume that the dog walking costs will be lower.
For each city, we’ve taken the top 3 dog walking services and averaged their prices. We’ve also detailed what’s included with each dog walking service.
New York City, NY (100.00)
Average cost for Dog Walking in NYC
The average price for a 30-minute walk in NYC is $25. The average price for a 60-minute walk is $35.
Top Dog Walking Services in NYC
The Big City Woof Walker charges $25 for a 30-minute walk and $32 for a 1-hour walk. Their services include feeding, refreshing of water bowls, and a picture and update with each walk. They walk dogs in small packs of 2-3 dogs per walk.
NYC Pooch charges $29 for 30-minute walks and $39 for 1-hour walks with 2-3 dogs at a time. For private walks, they charge $30 for 30-minute walks or $40 for 1-hour walks. This service offers GPS tracking, food, and water refill, changing of puppy pads if necessary, a pet update, and real-time updates of when your dog walker arrives and leaves.
Luke Dog Walker NYC charges $21 for 30-minute walks and $32 for 60-minute walks. No information is provided regarding food and water refills. Other services are available such as pet sitting, puppy care, cat care, boarding, and more.
Boston, MA (83.95)
Average Cost for Dog Walking in Boston
The average 30-minute walk in Boston costs $20 while the average 1-hour walk costs $32.
Top Dog Walking Services in Boston
Monumentails charges $16 for a 30-minute walk and $22 for a 1-hour walk. They offer feeding and water refills in the price.
Boston Fetch charges $22 for a 30-minute walk and $32 for a 1-hour walk. Feeding and water refills are also included.
Dandy Dogs offers 30-minute walks for $20 and 1-hour walks for $40. There are different time durations available as well.
Los Angeles (77.56)
Average Cost For Dog Walking in LA
The 30-minute walk in LA costs, on average, $25. A 1-hour walk averages $35.
Top Dog Walking Services in LA
Many Mutts charges $25 for a 30-minute walk and $35 for a 60-minute walk. Walking services include wiping paws, food, and water refills, as well as picture and text updates.
Yo! Dog Walker charges $26 for 30-minute walks and $36 for 1-hour walks. The walks are only available in a package of 15. Single walks are available for $36 and $46, respectively.
Fit Pals LA costs $22 for a 30-minute walk and $33 for a 1-hour walk. Pack walks are available (minimum of 3 per week) for $33
Chicago, IL (76.60)
Average Cost for Dog Walking in Chicago
The average 30-minute dog walk in Chicago is $23.30, while the average 1-hour walk costs $38.30.
Top Dog Walking Services in Chicago
Windy City Dog Walkers charges $20 for 30-minute walks and $35 for 1-hour walks. Supplementary charges apply to weekends and nights.
Windy City Paws charges $25 for 30-minute walks and $40 for 1-hour walks. Other time increments are available.
UrbanTailz charges $25 for 30-minute walks and $40 for 1-hour walks. Packages are available for discounted rates.
Orlando, FL (69.82)
Average Cost for Dog Walking in Orlando
The average 30-minute walk in Orlando costs $23.70 while a 1-hour walk averages $33.30.
Top Dog Walking Services in Orlando
Sniff charges $20 for a 30-minute walk and $32 for a 1-hour walk. Other time increments are available.
Eola Pets charges $29 for a 30-minute walk and $39 for a 1-hour walk. Shorter walks are available.
Orldog charges $22 for a 30-minute walk and $29 for a 1-hour walk.
San Antonio, TX (61.09)
Average Cost for Dog Walking in San Antonio
The average 30-minute walk in San Antonio costs $24.30 while the average 1-hour walk costs $40.
Top Dog Walking Services in San Antonio
Metro Pup SA charges $25 for a 30-minute walk and $40 for a 1-hour walk. Other time increments are available.
Just Fur a While charges $23 for a 30-minute walk and $35 for a 1-hour walk. Other time increments are available.
My Doggy Fitness charges $25 for a 30-minute walk and $45 for a 1-hour walk. Alternate services are also available.
Dog Walker Price in Major US Cities – Summing Up
After analyzing dog walker prices in major US cities with different cost of living scores, it’s clear that there isn’t too much variation overall in the cost of dog walkers throughout the United States.
Expect to pay around $25 on average for a 30-minute walk and around $35 for a 1-hour walk no matter where you live in the USA.
