As a full-time local journalist who supplements income by walking dogs, I’ve gained a unique perspective on the city’s evolving economic landscape. While the joy of spending time with loving canine companions is undeniable, my daily experiences have also highlighted societal quirks, infrastructural shortcomings, and a disquieting undercurrent of economic disparity in Washington D.C. In an era where gig economy apps are increasingly prevalent, many workers like myself are navigating a world without the traditional safety nets of stable wages, predictable hours, and essential leave policies. This piece delves into the realities of being a service worker in the burgeoning “wealth work” industry, offering a glimpse into the lives of those who often go unnoticed.
The demand for midday dog walks is particularly high, leading to a frantic rush between appointments. This daily scramble has given me a firsthand understanding of the hurried pace of DC’s roads, where drivers often seem pressured and less attentive. As a cyclist, I appreciate jobs that don’t require formal attire, especially given the physical exertion involved in navigating the city’s hills and corners. The kindness of clients who provide water and access to their bathrooms is a welcome respite, though I often encounter malfunctioning door locks that present an additional challenge to my schedule.
The app I use, Rover, primarily connects with tech-savvy dog owners, and the client base in neighborhoods with recent housing growth and redevelopment is heavily skewed towards dual-income households with traditional 9-to-5 jobs. Areas like Capitol Hill, Columbia Heights, Petworth, Shaw, and NoMa/Eckington are bustling with activity for dog walkers, reflecting a demographic that can afford such services. This concentration of clients in wealthier, redeveloped areas stands in contrast to other wards of the city where such services are less common. The average annual cost of owning a dog can be substantial, making these services a luxury for many.
The city’s infrastructure also presents challenges for gig workers. Many new and renovated apartment buildings lack adequate bike parking, forcing me to often carry my bicycle into client apartments for security. The District Department of Transportation needs to prioritize protected bike lanes as integral components of the city’s transit network, accommodating not just dog walkers but also bike couriers and food delivery cyclists who are all part of the gig economy’s essential fabric.
Furthermore, dog walking in D.C. has exposed the stark economic inequality within the city. While not always a discretionary expense, the cost of regular dog walking means my clients predominantly reside in expensive or newly constructed housing. I’ve become intimately familiar with the layouts of renovated row houses and modern apartment buildings, often equipped with security camera doorbells. The ease with which some clients can afford these services highlights a significant gap between service providers and those they serve. This economic divide is further emphasized when I am asked to use back entrances, a request that underscores a feeling of being a less valued visitor. While I acknowledge my own privileges, such requests can feel demeaning, raising questions about the experiences of other service workers who are made to feel unseen.
The prevalence of lockboxes, used by gig workers to access clients’ homes, is a visible sign of this new economy. In older buildings, they are as common as the units themselves, and new constructions are installing rods specifically for these lockboxes. Like childcare and other human labor-intensive services, dog walking is costly for clients while offering insufficient wages to the worker. After the app’s fees, my net earnings per walk are significantly reduced, and the hourly rate, once commuting time is factored in, is not a livable wage without personal benefits. A sick day or vacation translates directly to lost income, a precarious reality for many in the gig economy.
I am not alone in this. As a dog walker, I encounter numerous other gig workers, from home cleaning crews to personal chefs, all part of D.C.’s expanding cohort of “wealth work.” This industry, built on contract labor and benefiting from economic prosperity, often fails to provide sufficient income for workers to cover their full expenses or afford time off. These essential workers operate largely unnoticed, a situation that is often by design, reflecting a system that prioritizes convenience for some at the expense of security for others. The average monthly cost for owning a dog can be a significant factor for households, influencing their decisions about utilizing such services. Calculating the average cost for a puppy further illustrates the financial commitment involved in pet ownership, which in turn fuels the demand for services like dog walking. Understanding the pet cost calculator can provide a clearer picture of these expenses. The average monthly cost of owning a dog and its annual counterpart are crucial considerations for pet owners, shaping their budget and their reliance on services like mine.
Gordon Chaffin is a reporter for Street Justice, a daily email newsletter covering transportation and infrastructure throughout the Washington region.
