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What walkers post as their starting rates in large US cities, and the choices that move the price.
Care.com posted rates, February 2026. See source
Care.com publishes the average starting rates dog walkers post on its site. As of February 3, 2026 the national starting average was $16.43 an hour, ranging across 15 large cities from $12.50 in San Antonio to $22.35 in Seattle1. These are starting rates; the walker you choose may charge more.
What changes the price. Walk length, how often, solo or group walks, and add-ons such as feeding or medication, which some walkers charge for separately1. On Rover, walks are booked as 30- or 60-minute visits, once or on a recurring schedule, and each walker sets their own rate2.
What to agree up front. Key handling, what happens in bad weather, whether your dog is walked alone or with others, and how the walker reports each visit.
Slide to your walks a week. One-hour walks at Care.com's national average starting rate, with Seattle's rate for comparison.
At the national average, about
$355
Source: Care.com, The cost of hiring a dog walker, posted rates as of Feb 3, 2026.
| City | State | Hourly starting rate |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle1 | WA | $22.35 |
| Los Angeles1 | CA | $20.55 |
| Denver1 | CO | $19.84 |
| San Diego1 | CA | $19.40 |
| Brooklyn1 | NY | $18.92 |
| Portland1 | OR | $18.77 |
| Chicago1 | IL | $18.34 |
| Minneapolis1 | MN | $17.96 |
| Phoenix1 | AZ | $17.50 |
| Tampa1 | FL | $15.94 |
| Orlando1 | FL | $15.69 |
| Atlanta1 | GA | $14.38 |
| Philadelphia1 | PA | $14.17 |
| Charlotte1 | NC | $14.16 |
| San Antonio1 | TX | $12.50 |
| Source | Care.comRead Oct 2, 2026 | Care.com, posted rates as of Feb 3, 2026Read Oct 2, 2026 |
Averages of posted starting rates from dog walkers listed on Care.com.
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Good for comparing walkers' posted starting rates
Also on Care.com's site
Good for booking 30- or 60-minute walks, once or on a schedule
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