Per-walk payment varies significantly based on walk length, location, and your platform choice:
National Per-Walk Payment Ranges (2026)
- 15–20 minute potty break: $12–$20
- 30-minute standard walk: $25–$35
- 45-minute extended walk: $30–$45
- 60-minute adventure walk: $40–$60
- 90+ minute hike: $60–$100
Chicago Per-Walk Rates (2026)
Chicago's competitive market supports higher rates:
- 20-minute quick walk: $18–$25
- 30-minute standard: $25–$35 (most common)
- 45-minute extended: $35–$45
- 60-minute full walk: $45–$60
How Platforms Affect Your Take-Home Pay
Example: You list a $30 walk
- Rover (20% provider fee + 11% pet parent fee): You keep $24, parent pays $33.30
- Wag (~40% provider fee): You keep ~$18
- Tails (10% provider fee + 5% pet parent fee): You keep $27, parent pays $31.50
- Independent: You keep $30 (but handle own booking/payment)
Premium Add-Ons Increase Per-Walk Pay
- Additional dogs (same household): +$8–$15 per extra dog
- Last-minute/same-day booking: +$5–$10 rush fee
- Early morning (before 7am) or late night (after 9pm): +$5–$10
- Holidays (Christmas, New Year's, Thanksgiving): +$10–$20
- Special needs (reactive, senior, medication): +$10–$20
Real Chicago Walker Payment Examples
- Example 1: 30-min walk + 1 extra dog = $30 + $12 = $42
- Example 2: 60-min walk on Saturday = $50 + $10 weekend premium = $60
- Example 3: Last-minute 30-min walk = $30 + $8 rush fee = $38
- Example 4: Senior dog with medication, 30-min = $30 + $15 special needs = $45
When You Get Paid
- Rover: 2 days after service completion via direct deposit
- Wag: Weekly on Tuesdays via direct deposit
- Tails: Platform-processed payments after service completion, typically 1–3 business days via direct deposit
- Independent: Immediately via Venmo/Zelle, or invoiced monthly
Maximizing Per-Walk Earnings
- Charge premium rates for specialized services (reactive dogs, medication, training reinforcement)
- Book group walks (2–3 compatible dogs) to earn $45–$70 per 30-minute slot
- Use low-fee platforms like Tails (keep 90%) to avoid losing 20–40% to commissions on Rover/Wag
- Offer package deals (10 walks for $280 vs $300 individually) to secure recurring clients
Start earning more per walk with the lowest platform fees. Join Tails to set your own rates and keep 85% of what clients pay — far more than Rover's 69% or Wag's ~60%.