How Much do Pet Sitters Earn?
The hourly rate earned by a petsitter varies greatly depending on a number of factors including where you live, the type of animals you’re caring for, the duties required of you, the time of your shift, your level of experience, how many animals you are looking after at once and more.
Therefore it can be difficult to know at what price point to market yourself to ensure you remain competitive but also earn a sufficient amount for your time and skillset. We’ve compiled a group of average wages for different roles and locations, so that you can gain a better idea of how much you could earn as a pet sitter!
Dogwalking:
- National average: £15/hour
- Minimum rate: £10/hour
- Maximum rate: £25/hour
The difference in rates depends on your location (earnings are higher in London) and the number of dogs you are walking. The breed of the dog is sometimes taken into consideration as well, as larger dogs may require more exertion and handling power than smaller dogs, and they may also need longer walks.
Petsitting at the pet owners home:
- Feeding and companionship: £6-12/hour
- Longer periods of time: £30-50/day
Petsitting at your own home (including overnight):
- Rates vary and are usually calculated per day or per week depending on the type of pet and what duties are required.
- Average around £20/day for a small pet and £25+/day for a dog or more demanding pet.
Remember to check local pet-sitting websites and compare your rates with those of other pet-sitters in your area to remain competitive, especially when you are just starting out. Once you gain some experience and receive excellent reviews, you will be able to increase your prices, having proven the great value of your service.
Why Should I Work as a Petsitter?
Working as a petsitter can be a great way to earn some extra money as the average rate of pay is high and it’s flexible, meaning you can usually work as much or as little as you like. Whether you’re looking for the perfect side hustle to compliment your current job, or you’re a student with some spare time during the week and want to find a job that allows you to earn some extra money whilst still managing all of your studies, petsitting could be the perfect part time job if you’re an animal lover.
What are the Duties of a Petsitter?
You can find all the information you need about working as a petsitter in our ‘How to become a petsitter guide’. This is a great place to start if you’re new to the industry. Once you’ve decided that working with pets is for you, the next step is to figure out what type of work you’re interested in.
Would you like to cat sit and provide companionship for animals on a regular basis? Or do you just want to offer the occasional dog walk while the owner is away? Our guides to petsitting can help you decide what services you can offer, alongside other detailed articles such as the advantages of becoming a dog walker!
