Free tool
How much should you charge?
New to pet sitting or dog walking? Raising prices after years at the same rate? This calculator gives you a defensible starting range based on your market, service type, and duration.
Free, no sign-up. Refine it in 30 seconds.
Your situation
Drag the slider. Pricing scales above 30 min.
When the same visit covers 2+ pets from the same household.
Recommended range
$23
–$28
Most markets would pay $25 for this service.
This is a starting point, not gospel. Ask three local sitters what they charge, look at Rover rates in your zip, factor your experience level, and pick a number. Your price will stabilize after 5-10 new client intakes.
How we calculate the range
The numbers come from aggregated self-reported rates across public pet sitter communities (PSI, NAPPS, r/petsitting) in 2026, adjusted by market multipliers. Here's how it works:
- Baseline per service. A 30-min walk in a typical suburban market prices around $22. Overnight sits around $85. Drop-ins around $20.
- Duration adjustment. Walks and drop-ins scale by $0.40–0.45 per extra minute beyond the 30-min baseline.
- Market multiplier. Big metros (NYC, SF, LA) multiply by 1.4×. Major metros 1.15×. Suburban stays at 1×. Small towns/rural 0.85×.
- The ±10% band. We show you a range, not a single number. Clients expect a little variance and sitters who charge at the high end can defend it with experience and reviews.
When to raise your rates
- Your booking is at 85%+ capacity for three straight months.
- Your cost of living has gone up — gas, vehicle wear, insurance.
- It's been more than 18 months since your last increase.
- You're turning away clients because you're full.
Tip: New clients always pay your new rate. For existing clients, give 30 days' notice in writing and explain why. Most keep booking.
Pricing questions sitters ask
How much should I charge for a 30-minute dog walk?
US averages run $20-30 for a 30-minute walk in suburban markets and $28-50 in major metros. Rates depend on local cost of living, travel time between clients, and whether you are insured and licensed. Undercharging early is the most common mistake because it sets an expectation that is hard to reverse.
How much should I charge for a drop-in pet sitting visit?
Drop-in visits typically run $20-35 in the US, usually for a 20 to 30 minute visit covering feeding, water, litter or a garden break, and a short play or walk. Additional pets in the same household commonly add $5-10 per visit.
How much should I charge for overnight pet sitting?
Overnight stays in the client's home typically run $75-150 per night in the US. Boarding in your own home is usually priced per night as well, and rates vary with the number of pets and the level of care required.
Should I charge more for additional pets?
Yes. The common US convention is an additional $5-10 per visit per extra pet in the same household. It reflects the extra handling time without pricing multi-pet households out entirely.