33 High-Paying Jobs Working with Dogs

Jobs Working with Dogs: Key Points

Introduction

If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your love for dogs into a rewarding career, you’re not alone. From grooming and training to dog wellness and creative work, there are countless opportunities available. Whether you’re just getting started or aiming for a high-paying role, this guide covers the best jobs working with dogs—and how to launch your career near you or from home.

Why Pursue a Career Working with Dogs?

Working with dogs is more than just a job—it’s a fulfilling lifestyle. From daily tail wags to helping dogs live healthier, happier lives, the emotional rewards are unmatched. You’ll reduce stress, form real connections, and be part of a passionate, pet-loving community.

And the demand is booming! With over 65 million U.S. households owning a dog and pet spending projected to hit $157 billion by the end of 2025, there’s a rising need for services like grooming, training, walking, and wellness care.

One of the best parts? Flexibility. Many dog careers start as part-time gigs and scale into profitable full-time businesses—especially when you’re professionally trained. For example:

Whether you’re chasing income, independence, or joy, you’ll find it working with dogs!

Entry-Level Jobs Working with Dogs (Near You)

Searching for “jobs working with dogs near me”? Good news: many beginner-friendly roles are available everywhere, from local pet businesses to freelance gigs you can start in your own neighborhood! These entry-level jobs are perfect if you’re just getting started—and several can even turn into rewarding full-time careers!

What You’ll Do: Supervise dogs in group play, ensuring safety and basic care.
Pay: $13–$20/hour
Upskill: Experience here can lead to training or grooming careers!

What You’ll Do: Help puppies adjust to people, sounds, and environments during key development stages.
Pay: $15–$30/hour
Note: A great niche for aspiring trainers or behaviorists!

What You’ll Do: Walk dogs for exercise and enrichment, often on a flexible schedule.
Pay: $15–$25/hour
Tip: Start with Rover or local referrals to build trust and regular clients!

What You’ll Do: Feed, walk, and stay with dogs while their owners are away.
Pay: $20–$80/day or more for overnights
Bonus: Add pet first aid or grooming skills to raise your rates!

What You’ll Do: Feed, clean, and monitor dogs in boarding or vet facilities.
Pay: $12–$18/hour
Career Path: Great stepping stone to vet tech, grooming, or shelter work!

What You’ll Do: Bathe, brush, and prep dogs for full grooming services.
Pay: $13–$18/hour
Pro Tip: Many professional groomers start in this role.

Jobs in Dog Grooming and Canine Maintenance

If you’re hands-on and creative, grooming and maintenance roles let you care for dogs’ appearance and well-being while building a profitable, flexible career.

What You’ll Do: Bathe, trim, clip nails, and style coats for dogs of all breeds.
Pay: $35K–$75K/year (more if self-employed)
Career Tip: Certified groomers earn more and get better jobs.

What You’ll Do: Offer full grooming services from a van—right at clients’ homes.
Pay: $45K–$85K/year
Startup Cost: $10K–$40K for vehicle setup
Bonus: Higher rates due to added convenience!

What You’ll Do: Specialize in breed cuts and creative styles using dyes and accessories.
Pay: $40K–$70K+
Trend Alert: Creative grooming is quickly gaining popularity on social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok!

What You’ll Do: Run a luxury grooming or wellness business with services like facials, massages, and aromatherapy.
Earnings: $60K–$120K+
Startup Needs: Mid-to-high investment and great branding.

What You’ll Do: Help dogs recover from injury or stress using therapeutic touch.
Rate: $40–$90/session
Training: Certification often required, depending on your state.

What You’ll Do: Use pools or underwater treadmills for canine rehab and joint care.
Pay: $45K–$80K/year
Training: Requires specialized certification in canine anatomy and water therapy.

Veterinary and Canine Health Careers

Want to improve dogs’ health and longevity? These clinical and wellness-based roles are ideal for animal lovers drawn to caregiving and science!

What You’ll Do: Diagnose illness, perform surgeries, and manage ongoing pet care.
Pay: $100K–$150K/year
Training: DVM degree + state licensing

📝 Highest-paid role, but requires long-term education.

What You’ll Do: Assist vets with exams, treatments, feeding, and comfort care.
Pay: $30K–$40K/year
Training: Short course or on-the-job training

What You’ll Do: Administer meds, prep for surgery, run lab tests, and educate pet owners.
Pay: $38K–$52K/year
Training: Associate degree + certification

What You’ll Do: Support shelter vets with vaccines, treatment, and recovery monitoring.
Pay: $28K–$36K/year
Pathway: Start as a volunteer or kennel staff.

What You’ll Do: Help dogs regain strength through movement, massage, and water therapy.
Pay: $50K–$90K/year
Training: Certification in canine rehab (often for licensed PTs or vet techs)

What You’ll Do: Develop balanced diets for pets or formulate food products.
Pay: $60K–$95K/year
Training: Degree in nutrition, animal science, or vet nutrition

Creative and Entrepreneurial Jobs Working with Dogs

Want to mix your passion for dogs with creative expression or business? These careers let you turn hobbies and ideas into income!

What You’ll Do: Capture dogs in studios, outdoors, or at events; deliver edited, professional photos.
Pay: $200–$500/session
Startup Needs: Camera gear + portfolio website

What You’ll Do: Create content around dog care, lifestyle, or humor to grow an online audience.
Earnings: $0–$5K+/month via sponsorships, ads, or affiliate sales
Tools: Social media presence + consistent posting

What You’ll Do: Try out gear and share reviews via blog, YouTube, or social media.
Pay: Free products to $1K+/campaign
Good For: Bloggers, influencers, or trainers with a following

What You’ll Do: Make and sell healthy dog snacks locally or online.
Pay: Ranges from side hustle to six figures
Startup Needs: Kitchen space, safe recipes, legal compliance

What You’ll Do: Design stylish or custom outfits for dogs; sell via Etsy or your own store.
Earnings: $15K–$75K+/year
Note: TikTok has helped niche brands explode!

What You’ll Do: Create engaging, safe toys for dogs and license or sell your designs.
Pay: $40K–$90K+/year
Bonus: Great blend of fun + functionality

Dog Training and Behavior Roles

These jobs let you teach, guide, and empower dogs—and their humans. From basic manners to behavior modification, training careers are versatile, rewarding, and in demand.

What You’ll Do: Teach commands, leash skills, or advanced behavior techniques through private or group sessions.
Pay: $35K–$75K+/year
Training: Certification highly recommended.

What You’ll Do: Assess and treat serious behavior issues using science-based techniques.
Pay: $60K–$100K/year
Training: Degree in behavior science or psychology + professional certification (e.g., CAAB, IAABC)

What You’ll Do: Train dogs to support individuals with disabilities, including mobility, PTSD, or medical alerts.
Pay: $40K–$60K/year
Training: Often tied to nonprofit programs; formal training required.

What You’ll Do: Teach dogs to help visually impaired handlers navigate safely.
Pay: $45K–$70K/year
Note: Typically involves structured nonprofit training programs.

What You’ll Do: Work alongside dogs trained for detection, security, or search and rescue.
Pay: $50K–$90K/year
Training: Requires law enforcement/military background + handler certification
Bonus: Government roles often include strong benefits!

Animal Advocacy, Rescue, and Community Work

These jobs let you teach, guide, and empower dogs—and their humans. From basic manners to behavior modification, training careers are versatile, rewarding, and in demand.

What You’ll Do: Represent organizations or causes that fight for better animal protection laws and legal action against abuse.
Pay: $110K–$125K/year
Training: Law degree + specialization in animal law

📝 Best suited for those passionate about policy and long-term change!

What You’ll Do: Oversee shelter operations, manage adoptions, and lead fundraising or advocacy efforts.
Pay: $45K–$85K/year
Skills: Leadership, communication, nonprofit management

What You’ll Do: Investigate abuse, enforce local pet laws, and coordinate rescue or relocation efforts.
Pay: $40K–$60K/year
Training: Often requires law enforcement or animal control training
Bonus: Government benefits often included!

What You’ll Do: Match rescued dogs with foster homes and manage vetting, transport, or adoption logistics.
Pay: Unpaid (volunteer), or $30K–$45K/year in paid roles
Path: Many start as volunteers before moving into leadership

So, What Are The Top 10 High-Paying Jobs Working with Dogs?

Working with dogs isn’t just fulfilling; it can also be financially rewarding! From medical roles to creative and legal careers, here are the top 10 high-paying dog-related jobs based on high-end salary potential.

How to Start a Career Working with Dogs

Turning your love for dogs into a career is more doable than you think. Here’s how to start, step by step!

1. Find Your Best-Fit Role

Reflect on your lifestyle, strengths, and interests. For instance, introverts often prefer grooming or solo services. Extroverts, on the other hand, typically thrive in training or client-facing roles.

2. Get Certified

While some roles require no formal schooling, certification builds credibility and boosts income.

Top fields to get certified in:

🎓 QC Pet Studies offers flexible, online training for aspiring dog pros!

3. Build Experience

Start gaining hands-on practice before you’re even hired by:

Experience builds both confidence AND your portfolio!

4. Market Yourself

Once you’re trained and ready, get the word out! Here are a few ways you can do this:

Final Thoughts

You’ve just explored over 30 amazing jobs working with dogs—from entry-level gigs and creative side hustles to high-paying professional careers. Whether you want to groom, train, heal, photograph, or advocate for dogs, one thing is clear: there’s a path for every kind of dog lover.

And the best part? You don’t need to wait. With the right training and guidance, you can start building your dream career today—right from home.

At QC Pet Studies, we offer online certification programs that help you get started on your own time, at your own pace. Our industry-leading instructors, real-world assignments, and career-focused content make it easy to learn practical, job-ready skills—without putting your life on hold.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jobs Working with Dogs (FAQ)

We get it, starting a new career with dogs comes with questions. So here are the most common ones, answered clearly to help you move forward with confidence!