How Much Does Dog Walking Cost?
Updated for 2026 — national average costs with state-by-state breakdowns
What Does Dog Walking Include?
Professional dog walkers provide daily exercise and potty breaks for dogs while owners are at work or away. Services range from quick potty breaks to hour-long adventure hikes.
The national average cost for dog walking is $22 per 30-min walk. Most homeowners pay between $15 and $35, though costs can vary significantly based on your location, the scope of work, and other factors outlined below.
What Affects the Price?
Duration
15-min potty break: $10-$18. 30-min walk: $15-$30. 60-min walk: $25-$45. 60-min hike: $30-$55
Type
Group walk (3-6 dogs): $15-$25. Solo walk: $20-$35. Two dogs (same household): $5-$10 extra per dog
Key Cost Factors
- ✓Walk duration
- ✓Number of dogs
- ✓Location (urban vs suburban)
- ✓Solo vs group walks
- ✓Frequency
💡 Tips to Save Money
- 1.Commit to a regular weekly schedule for package discounts (10-20% off)
- 2.Group walks are 30-40% cheaper than private walks
- 3.Apps like Rover and Wag offer competitive pricing
- 4.Hire a neighborhood teen for simple potty breaks ($8-$12)
📈 Dog Walking Cost Trends (2020–2024)
Prices have increased +22.2% over the last 5 years
| Year | National Avg | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $18 | — |
| 2021 | $19 | +5.6% |
| 2022 | $20 | +5.3% |
| 2023 | $21 | +5.0% |
| 2024 | $22 | +4.8% |
Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.
Dog Walking Cost by State
Costs vary significantly by state due to labor rates, cost of living, and local market conditions. Click any state for a detailed breakdown.
| State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $12 | $18 | $29 |
| Alaska | $19 | $28 | $45 |
| Arizona | $14 | $21 | $33 |
| Arkansas | $12 | $18 | $28 |
| California | $20 | $30 | $47 |
| Colorado | $16 | $24 | $38 |
| Connecticut | $18 | $27 | $43 |
| Delaware | $16 | $23 | $37 |
| Florida | $15 | $22 | $34 |
| Georgia | $14 | $20 | $32 |
| Hawaii | $21 | $31 | $50 |
| Idaho | $14 | $20 | $32 |
| Illinois | $16 | $23 | $37 |
| Indiana | $13 | $19 | $31 |
| Iowa | $13 | $19 | $30 |
| Kansas | $13 | $19 | $30 |
| Kentucky | $13 | $18 | $29 |
| Louisiana | $13 | $19 | $30 |
| Maine | $15 | $22 | $36 |
| Maryland | $17 | $25 | $40 |
| Massachusetts | $20 | $29 | $46 |
| Michigan | $14 | $20 | $32 |
| Minnesota | $15 | $22 | $36 |
| Mississippi | $12 | $17 | $27 |
| Missouri | $13 | $19 | $30 |
| Montana | $14 | $21 | $33 |
| Nebraska | $13 | $19 | $31 |
| Nevada | $15 | $22 | $36 |
| New Hampshire | $17 | $25 | $39 |
| New Jersey | $19 | $28 | $44 |
| New Mexico | $14 | $20 | $32 |
| New York | $20 | $29 | $46 |
| North Carolina | $14 | $20 | $32 |
| North Dakota | $14 | $20 | $32 |
| Ohio | $14 | $20 | $32 |
| Oklahoma | $12 | $18 | $29 |
| Oregon | $17 | $24 | $39 |
| Pennsylvania | $15 | $22 | $36 |
| Rhode Island | $17 | $25 | $40 |
| South Carolina | $13 | $19 | $30 |
| South Dakota | $13 | $19 | $30 |
| Tennessee | $13 | $19 | $30 |
| Texas | $14 | $20 | $33 |
| Utah | $14 | $21 | $33 |
| Vermont | $16 | $24 | $38 |
| Virginia | $16 | $23 | $37 |
| Washington | $17 | $25 | $40 |
| West Virginia | $12 | $18 | $28 |
| Wisconsin | $14 | $21 | $33 |
| Wyoming | $14 | $20 | $32 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a dog be walked?
Most dogs need at least one 30-minute walk daily, with active breeds needing 60+ minutes. Puppies and senior dogs may need shorter, more frequent walks for bathroom breaks.
🏙️ Dog Walking Cost by City
Compare dog walking costs in the most popular US cities:
View all 219 cities →
Related Cost Guides
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Real costs reported by homeowners for Dog Walking
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