Dog walking used to be a side gig for neighborhood kids. Today, it’s a legit career path, with some New Yorkers making over $100,000 a year walking pups full-time. But is that realistic, or just hype?

In the video Apparently I Can Make 6 Figures Walking Dogs in NYC, business news brand Morning Brew dives into the booming pet-care economy by shadowing independent walkers, testing dog-walking apps, and crunching the real numbers behind the job.

👉 Watch the full video here:

 

The Rise of Dog Walking in NYC

  • Pet spending is booming — U.S. pet industry revenue hit over $136 billion in 2022.
  • The pandemic brought a wave of new pet owners.
  • As offices reopened, demand for dog walkers in NYC skyrocketed.

The Independent Walker: Ryan Stewart

Ryan makes over $100,000 a year as a pack walker in Manhattan. His formula:

  • Charges $25 per dog per walk.
  • Walks up to four dogs at once.
  • Keeps a tight neighborhood route to maximize efficiency.
  • Adds boarding services for extra income.

“There are three requirements: good dog, good owner, good money. You need two out of the three.” – Ryan Stewart

Walking with Apps: Rover & Wag

  • Rover: The better option for beginners. Walkers earn $20–30 per walk once reviews start rolling in.
  • Wag: Lower pay, sometimes as little as $13 for a half-hour walk, and a tougher path to scale.

Morning Brew points out: while apps are convenient, they cap earnings compared to going independent.

The Realities of the Job

  • Physical grind: 5–8 walks a day, logging miles in all weather.
  • Trust factor: Walkers often hold keys to clients’ homes.
  • Scheduling puzzle: Coordinating multiple dogs and owners can be as hard as the walks themselves.
  • Low barriers to entry: A leash, poop bags, and sneakers are the only startup costs.

Can You Really Make 6 Figures?

  • Yes — but rare. Independent walkers with established routes and loyal clients can hit six figures.
  • Most app-based walkers: Closer to $30K–$50K annually.
  • The real money: Comes from mixing services — walking, boarding, and even training.

Why It’s Still Appealing

Even if most walkers won’t hit six figures, the job attracts people for:

  • Freedom and flexibility.
  • Daily exercise and outdoor time.
  • The joy of spending every day with dogs.

Bottom Line

Dog walking in New York isn’t just a side hustle anymore — it’s a legitimate business with six-figure potential for those who build the right client base. For most newcomers, apps like Rover and Wag are stepping stones, but the big money comes from independence and scale.

 

👉 Credit: Morning Brew. Watch the full video here: Apparently I Can Make 6 Figures Walking Dogs in NYC

Photo by Meredith Owens on Unsplash