{
  "slug": "pet-sitting-rate",
  "title": "Pet Sitting Rate Calculator",
  "heading": "Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Rate Calculator",
  "category": "financial",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/pet-sitting-rate",
  "summary": "Price walks, drop-ins, and overnights so you actually clear a wage.",
  "description": "Most new sitters price off what the app suggests and end up below minimum wage after drive time and platform fees. Work backward from the hourly rate you want, add unpaid travel, then gross up for the commission the platform takes.",
  "formula": "Rate = ((target hourly × (visit + travel hours)) + mileage cost) ÷ (1 − platform fee).",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=pet-sitting-rate",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "target",
      "label": "Target take-home per hour",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 28,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "visitMin",
      "label": "Visit length",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 30,
      "unit": "min",
      "min": 5,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "travelMin",
      "label": "Round-trip travel",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 18,
      "unit": "min",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "miles",
      "label": "Round-trip miles",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 8,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "mileRate",
      "label": "Vehicle cost per mile",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 0.7,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "fee",
      "label": "Platform commission",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 20,
      "unit": "%",
      "min": 0,
      "max": 60
    },
    {
      "id": "visitsWeek",
      "label": "Visits per week",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 18,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "list",
      "label": "Price to list",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "net",
      "label": "You keep per visit",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "effHourly",
      "label": "Effective hourly incl. travel",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "mileage",
      "label": "Vehicle cost per visit",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "weekly",
      "label": "Weekly gross bookings",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "weeklyNet",
      "label": "Weekly take-home",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Target take-home per hour: 28 $",
      "Visit length: 30 min",
      "Round-trip travel: 18 min",
      "Round-trip miles: 8",
      "Vehicle cost per mile: 0.7 $",
      "Platform commission: 20 %",
      "Visits per week: 18"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Price to list: $35.00",
      "You keep per visit: $28.00",
      "Effective hourly incl. travel: $35.00",
      "Vehicle cost per visit: $5.60",
      "Weekly gross bookings: $630",
      "Weekly take-home: $504"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter target take-home per hour ($).",
      "Enter visit length (min).",
      "Enter round-trip travel (min).",
      "Enter round-trip miles.",
      "Enter vehicle cost per mile ($).",
      "Enter platform commission (%).",
      "Enter visits per week.",
      "Read your price to list on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "target": 17,
        "visitMin": 20,
        "travelMin": 11,
        "miles": 5,
        "mileRate": 0.42,
        "fee": 12,
        "visitsWeek": 11
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "target": 28,
        "visitMin": 30,
        "travelMin": 18,
        "miles": 8,
        "mileRate": 0.7,
        "fee": 20,
        "visitsWeek": 18
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "target": 45,
        "visitMin": 50,
        "travelMin": 29,
        "miles": 13,
        "mileRate": 1.1199999999999999,
        "fee": 32,
        "visitsWeek": 29
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.",
    "Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.",
    "This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Should I charge more for multiple pets?",
      "a": "Yes — a second dog adds handling time and risk without adding travel. A flat $5–$10 per additional pet is standard and rarely loses a booking."
    },
    {
      "q": "How do I escape platform fees?",
      "a": "Use the platform to acquire clients, then move repeat clients to direct booking with your own insurance and contract where the platform's terms allow it."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/pet-ownership-cost",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/dog-boarding-revenue"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Pet Sitting Rate Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/pet-sitting-rate)"
}