Hourly rates for dog walkers vary based on several key factors:
National Hourly Rate Ranges
- Entry-level walkers: $15–$20/hour
- Experienced walkers: $25–$35/hour
- Premium/specialized walkers: $40–$50+/hour
Chicago Market Rates (2026)
Chicago dog walkers typically charge higher rates due to strong demand:
- Standard 30-minute walks: $25–$35 (effective rate: $30–$40/hour)
- 60-minute walks: $40–$50
- Group walks (2–3 dogs): $45–$70/hour
Platform vs. Independent Earnings
- Rover (20% provider fee + 11% pet parent fee): List at $30/hour, keep $24 — but the client pays $33.30 total, so you keep 69% of what the client pays
- Wag (~40% provider fee): List at $30/hour, keep ~$18 (~60%)
- Independent: Keep 100% but handle own marketing and booking
- Tails (10% provider fee + 5% pet parent fee): List at $30/hour, keep $27 (90%) — pet parent pays a separate 5% booking fee
Maximize your hourly rate by batching walks in the same neighborhood, offering premium services like training reinforcement, and building a loyal client base. Join Tails to keep 90% of your earnings — the highest take-home of any platform.