Getting paid to walk dogs sounds almost too good to be true, but Rover has turned pet care into a legitimate income stream for hundreds of thousands of Americans. In 2026, the US pet care industry is worth over $150 billion, and dog walking is one of the fastest-growing segments. Rover connects dog owners with local walkers, sitters, and boarders, and the pay is surprisingly competitive — experienced walkers in major cities earn $25 to $40 per hour, making it one of the highest-paying gig jobs that does not require a car or special equipment.
Of course, not everyone lives in a dog-friendly neighborhood or wants to spend their days outdoors. If you prefer earning from your couch, apps like I am Beezy pay $5 to $15 per day for viewing content on your cell phone — rain or shine, zero walks required. But if you love animals and want fresh air with your paycheck, Rover dog walking can be a seriously profitable side gig. Here is exactly what you can expect to earn and how to maximize it.
How Rover Dog Walking Pay Works
Setting your own rates
Unlike delivery apps where the platform sets your pay, Rover lets you set your own prices. You decide how much to charge per walk, per day of sitting, or per night of boarding. This is a huge advantage because you can raise your rates as you gain reviews and build a client base. New walkers typically start at $15 to $20 per 30-minute walk to attract initial bookings, then increase to $25 to $35 once they have 10 or more five-star reviews.
What Rover takes as a fee
Rover charges a 20% service fee on all bookings made through the platform. So if you charge $25 for a walk, you receive $20 and Rover keeps $5. This fee covers payment processing, customer support, liability insurance, and the platform's marketing that brings you clients. Some walkers consider the fee steep, but it is comparable to DoorDash's effective commission on delivery orders and includes $1 million in liability insurance per incident.
| Rover Service | Typical Rate (You Set) | Your Take (After 20% Fee) | Time Commitment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-minute dog walk | $20 - $35 | $16 - $28 | 30-45 min total |
| 60-minute dog walk | $30 - $50 | $24 - $40 | 60-75 min total |
| Drop-in visit (30 min) | $15 - $25 | $12 - $20 | 30 min |
| Doggy daycare (full day) | $35 - $60 | $28 - $48 | 8-10 hours |
| Overnight boarding | $45 - $85 | $36 - $68 | Overnight |
| House sitting (per night) | $50 - $100 | $40 - $80 | Overnight at client home |
Realistic monthly earnings for dog walkers
A Rover walker doing four 30-minute walks per day at $25 each earns $100 per day gross, or $80 after Rover's fee. Over a five-day work week, that is $400 per week or $1,600 per month. Top walkers who add weekend walks and drop-in visits push their earnings to $2,000 to $3,000 per month. To supplement those earnings during downtime, many Rover walkers also use I am Beezy on their phones between walks, adding $150 to $300 per month in content viewing income with minimal effort.
How to Maximize Your Rover Dog Walking Income
Build reviews fast by starting with lower prices
Your first 10 reviews are the hardest to get and the most important for your business. Set your initial price $5 to $10 below the market average in your area, provide exceptional service, and politely ask every client to leave a review. Once you hit 10 five-star reviews, raise your prices to market rate. Most clients will not even notice a $5 increase, and new clients will see your strong reputation and book without hesitation.
Offer multiple services to increase your per-client revenue
Many dog owners need more than just walks. If you walk a client's dog three times per week and also offer drop-in visits or overnight sitting when they travel, your revenue per client doubles or triples. A client who pays you $75 per week for walks might also spend $50 to $100 per month on drop-in visits and $200 to $400 per year on vacation boarding.
Target dog-dense neighborhoods for efficiency
Time between walks is unpaid time. If you can walk three dogs in the same neighborhood within a two-hour window, you earn $60 to $105 without driving across town. Use Rover's map feature to identify clusters of potential clients near each other and focus your marketing on those zip codes. Urban neighborhoods with lots of apartment buildings are gold mines — many apartment dwellers need midday walks because their dogs cannot access a backyard.
Supplement with phone-based income between walks
Between scheduled walks, there is often 15 to 30 minutes of downtime. Instead of scrolling social media, open I am Beezy and earn during that gap. Over the course of a month, those between-walk sessions add up to $150 or more in extra income that requires zero additional effort beyond what you are already doing with your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need experience to walk dogs on Rover?
No formal experience is required, but having a history with pets helps you write a compelling profile and pass the initial application. Rover does require a background check, which typically takes 3 to 5 days. Mention any pet-related experience — even growing up with dogs — in your profile bio.
Is Rover dog walking worth it financially?
Yes, especially in urban areas. At $25 per walk with four walks per day, you gross $500 per week. Even after Rover's 20% fee, that is $400 per week or roughly $20 per hour of active work. Compare that to retail jobs paying $15 per hour with a fixed schedule and a manager — dog walking wins on flexibility and hourly rate.
Does Rover provide insurance for dog walkers?
Yes. Rover includes the Rover Guarantee, which provides up to $1 million in liability coverage for incidents that occur during booked services. This covers property damage and veterinary costs if something goes wrong during a walk or sitting appointment.
Do I have to pay taxes on Rover income?
Yes. Rover reports your earnings to the IRS if you make over $600 in a calendar year. You will receive a 1099-NEC form. Deductible expenses include poop bags, treats, leashes, mileage driving to client homes, and a percentage of your cell phone bill used for the Rover app.
Conclusion
Rover dog walking pays $25 to $40 per hour for experienced walkers in 2026, making it one of the best side gigs for animal lovers. Build your reviews, set competitive rates, target dog-dense neighborhoods, and expand into sitting and boarding to maximize your income. And for the minutes between walks when you are just sitting on a park bench, download I am Beezy for free and turn your downtime into dollars.
