Also called: Pet Sitter, Professional Dog Walker
Walks dogs and cares for pets in their homes while owners are at work or away.
Picks up four dogs for a midday pack walk in the park, drops in to feed and play with two cats, and stays overnight at a house with an elderly dog that needs meds. Many run their own businesses.
Estimate based on BLS animal caretakers (median about $32,000, May 2024). Successful independent businesses can earn more.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
No formal education, about 0 years after high school. No formal education; pet first aid certification and insurance help.
Ways in: Self-taught, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Growing much faster than average (about 11% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. Apps like Rover handle bookings and payments; walking dogs and caring for pets in homes is physical and trust-based.
Age 14+. One way to start: Offer walks to neighbors with flyers or a Nextdoor post; Rover and Wag need you to be 18
Classes: Biology, Business, Physical education, Health.
Official data: O*NET occupation 39-2021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.