Annual dog walking income varies widely based on commitment level, location, and business approach:
Annual Income by Work Level
- Part-time (10–20 hours/week): $15,000–$30,000/year
- Full-time (30–40 hours/week): $35,000–$60,000/year
- Full-time with premium services: $55,000–$65,000+/year
Geographic Income Differences
- Major cities (NYC, Chicago, San Francisco): $45,000–$65,000
- Mid-size cities: $30,000–$50,000
- Suburban/rural areas: $20,000–$35,000
Chicago Dog Walker Annual Earnings (2026)
Chicago's competitive market supports strong annual incomes:
- Part-time (15 walks/week at $30): $23,400/year
- Full-time (40 walks/week at $30): $62,400/year
- Full-time premium (40 walks/week at $30–$35): $62,400–$72,800/year
Maximizing Annual Income
- Build recurring client base for consistent weekly income
- Offer additional services (pet sitting, boarding, training) for revenue diversification
- Use platforms like Tails where you keep 90% of earnings (just a 10% provider fee) — vs Rover's 20% or Wag's ~40%
- Schedule efficiently with batched walks in the same neighborhood
Learn strategies to maximize your annual income in our comprehensive dog walking career guide.