How Much Do Dog Groomers Make?

A dog groomer is a person who cleans and styles dogs’ fur. They may also trim nails, clean ears, and express anal glands.

Most dog groomers work in pet stores, veterinary clinics, or animal shelters.

However, some dog groomers have their private practice where pet parents bring their furry friends for grooming.

If you get your puppy from a breeder, there is a good chance the pup will have been groomed before you pick them up because breeders groom their dogs too.

Groomers use scissors, clippers, combs, brushes, and other tools to style dogs’ fur. They also use shampoo, conditioner, and other products to care for the skin and coat.

Groomers must have patience and be gentle with animals. They must also be able to stand for long periods and lift heavy dogs.

 Most states do not require grooming licensure, but lots of groomers complete voluntary certification programs.

Who Is The Target Market For Dog Groomers?

Dog groomers provide an important service for pet owners. Not only do they keep dogs clean and well-groomed, but they also help to prevent health problems.

As a result, dog groomers typically target two groups of customers: those who want to maintain their pet’s appearance and those who want to ensure their pet’s health.

For the former group, dog groomers offer a wide range of services, from simple baths to complex haircuts. They also offer a variety of products, such as shampoos, conditioners, and de-shedding treatments.

For the latter group, dog groomers focus on providing a safe and healthy environment. This typically includes regular cleaning and disinfecting of all equipment.

In addition, dog groomers may offer special services for pets with skin problems or allergies.

As a result, they can appeal to a wide range of customers.

 A dog groomer can work directly with pet parents or they can work with other animal establishments like vet clinics, pet stores, and shelters.

How Much Does A Dog Groomer Make (Per Hour, Week, Month, & Year)?

A dog groomer’s salary can vary depending on several factors, including their experience and the region in which they work.

However, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for dog groomers and other pet caretakers is $14.19. This would mean that half of all dog groomers earn less than this amount, and half earn even more. 

Based on the national median income, we can compute the check dog groomers make per week, month, and year.

Assuming one works 40 hours a week, they would make approximately $567 which would translate to $2,270 per month or $27,244 per annum.

Even though this is just a ballpark figure, we can safely infer that dog groomers make at least $20,000 a year. This figure only accounts for those who put in a 40-hour week all year round. 

How Much Do Self-Employed Dog Groomers Make?

While one may infer that self-employed dog groomers make almost the same amount as their employed counterparts, the statistics seem to tell a different story.

If data from Zip Recruiter is anything to go by, self-employed groomers make anything from $14,500 – $141,000 per annum.

However, most self-employed groomers secure a bag of between $30,000-$68,000 which, according to zip recruiter, is the national average.

If we go with data from JKL Groomings, a self-employed groomer is paid $25-$30 per hour. This would translate to approximately $100,000 per year before expenses.

Whichever the case might be, it is clear that self-employed groomers make way more than their employed counterparts.

The figure they make is also determined by various factors including the number of clients and the geographical location.

For instance, a dog groomer in New York City is likely to make more than one in a small town.

In addition, those who have been in business for a longer period tend to charge more per session. As a result, they usually earn more than those who are just starting.

How Much Do Mobile Dog Groomers Make?

The average earnings for a mobile dog groomer is between $11,500 and $77,500, according to Zip Recruiter.

 Your exact earnings will depend on factors such as your experience level and the region where you work.

In some areas, mobile dog groomers may earn as much as $70,000 per year while in some regions, making $20,000 would be a stretch.

Mobile dog owners also have lots of expenses such as gas, vehicle maintenance, and grooming supplies that can eat into their profits.

On the plus side, there is always a good chance that you will get a tip from the pet parents once you do a tremendous job, so your earnings can be better than the projections.

How Much Do Dog Groomers Make At Petsmart?

PetSmart employs over 53,000 people nationwide, with groomers making up a significant portion of the workforce.

According to Glassdoor, the average hourly wage for PetSmart groomers is $23. This means that groomers at PetSmart make an average of $47,880 per year.

 However, wages can vary significantly depending on experience, location, and other factors.

There have been media reports that groomers at PetSmart barely make the minimum wage.

However, this is because some of the employees are taken on the paid training program which starts at $15 an hour.

The pay should however be reviewed once someone gets enough training and experience.

How Much Do Pet Groomers Make At Petco?

According to Zip Recruiter, dog groomers at Petco make approximately $17.35, which translates to $693 per week, $3,006 per month, or $36,079 per year.

Considering that some groomers are making as low as $16,000, Petco is paying their dog groomers better than a huge chunk of the industry.

However, if you consider that other groomers are also making well over $76,000, Petco has a long way to go.

However, the grooming business is not as active as always and Petco is rarely hiring new groomers, so it is very unlikely that these rates will improve any time soon.

Where Do Dog Groomers Make The Most Money?

Dog groomers that are earning a tidy sum in the United States typically make between $21 and $29 per hour, with those in cities like Raleigh, Denver, and Nashville earning at the higher end of that range.

For instance, data from Indeed shows that in Raleigh, North Carolina, dog groomers make an average of $28.95 per hour, which is significantly higher than the national average of $14.19 per hour.

Other cities where dog groomers make a tidy sum include Denver CO. at $28.26 per hour and Nashville, TN. at $27.50 per hour.

 Dog groomers in Austin, TX, and Chicago, IL both earn an average of $25 per hour while Las Vegas and Los Angeles‘ averages are $22.77 and $22.21 respectively.

In general, dog groomers in larger metropolitan areas tend to make more than those working in smaller towns or rural areas.

 These large cities typically have lots of dog-friendly businesses, making it easy to find clients (for the self-employed groomers).

So, if you are looking to start a dog grooming business, starting it in a large city will most likely give you better results.

Average Dog Groomers’ Salary per State 

Although the average salary for dog groomers across the United States is $14.19 per hour, there is significant variation from state to state.

For example, dog groomers in Louisiana earn an average of $29,590 per annum while those working in Washington make an average of $44,877 per annum.

The table below shows the average hourly wage for dog groomers in each state. The data was adopted from Zip Recruiter

Yearly earnings in USD	State
39,000 – 45,000	Idaho, New Hampshire, California, South Carolina, Delaware, Nebraska, Colorado, Virginia, New York, Maryland, Washington,
35,000 – 39,000	Massachusetts, Michigan, Vermont, Oklahoma, Hawaii, New Jersey, Nevada, Maine, Missouri, Tennessee, Arizona, Connecticut, Wyoming, Rhode Island, Alaska, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Indiana, North Dakota, West Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania,
20,000-35,000	Wisconsin, Ohio, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Utah, Arkansas, Alabama, New Mexico, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, Louisiana

As you can see, there is a wide range in the average hourly wage of dog groomers from state to state.

The highest paying states (Idaho, New Hampshire, California, South Carolina, Delaware, Nebraska, Colorado, Virginia, New York, Maryland, and Washington) pay over $40,000 while the rest pay less than $35,000 per annum.

Granted, these are national averages for the states and the individual cities within these states may differ.

Average Dog Groomers Salary per Country 

Although the United States is one of the highest paying countries for dog groomers, other countries pay their dog groomers well too.

For instance, in Australia, the average salary for a dog groomer is AU$24.97 per hour, which translates to approximately AUD 38,935 per year. That’s almost $6,000 more than what dog groomers make in the US!

In Canada, the average hourly wage for dog groomers is C$16.00 which translates to CAD 32,640 per year. That’s about $ 3,000 less than what dog groomers make in the US.

 The average hourly wage for dog groomers in the UK is £9.50, which translates to about £19,800 per year. That’s about $26,000 per year, which is still significantly less than what dog groomers make in the US.

 So, it appears Australians have the best wage for dog groomers followed by those in the United States, Canada, and then the United Kingdom.

How Much Tax Will You Have To Pay As A Dog Groomer?

The amount of tax you will have to pay as a dog groomer will depend on the country you are working in as well as your income.

 In the United States, the federal tax rate for those earning less than $9,325 is 10%.

 The next tax bracket is $9,325 to $37,950 which has a 15% tax rate. Anything over $37,950 is taxed at 25%.

So, if you are a dog groomer making $14.19 per hour, you would be in the 15% tax bracket and owe the IRS $1,128.75 in taxes per year.

In the UK, the tax rates are a bit different. The first £11,500 you earn is tax-free. The next £33,500 is taxed at 20%. Anything over £33,500 is taxed at 40%.

So, if you are a dog groomer making £9.50 per hour, you would be in the 20% tax bracket and owe the HMRC £3,960 in taxes per year.

In Canada, the tax rates are also progressive but start at 15% and go up to 33%. So, if you are a dog groomer making $16.00 per hour, you would be in the 15% tax bracket and owe the CRA $4,608 in taxes per year.

How to Increase Your Dog Grooming Salary? 

There are a few ways you can increase your dog grooming salary.

The first is to become certified. Although it is not required in all states, it will give you an edge over the competition and may allow you to charge more for your services.

Another way to increase your salary is to specialize in a certain area of grooming such as show grooming or breed-specific grooming. This again will allow you to charge more for your services as you will be perceived as an expert in your field.

You can also increase your salary by working in a high-end salon or pet stores. These types of businesses usually pay their employees more than the average dog grooming salons.

Lastly, you may want to think of getting into the grooming business. As we have seen, self-employed groomers make significantly more than those who work for someone else.

Of course, this is not right for everyone but it is something to consider if you are looking to increase your salary.

How Can I Promote My Dog Grooming Business?

Once you setup your dog grooming business, you will want to think of creative ways of attracting clients.

This is one business where you cannot rely on walk-in clients—you have to actively promote your business or you will not get any results.

One easy and inexpensive way of promoting the business is to get involved in the local community.

For instance, you can participate in pet fairs or sponsor local events. This will help you network with the pet community and get your business name out there.

Another way to promote your business is through social media. This is a great way to reach a large number of people with minimal effort.

Be sure to post interesting and engaging content that will capture the attention of your target market.

It will also be a good idea to have a website for your business. This will give potential clients another way to find out about your services and contact you.

Be sure to include all the relevant information such as your pricing, list of services, and contact details.

Local SEO is another awesome way of getting clients. This involves optimizing your website and online presence for local searches. This means that when people in your area search for “dog groomers”, your business will come up in the search engine results.

There are lots of ways to promote your dog grooming business. The important thing is to be creative and think outside the box.

With a bit of effort, you should be able to attract plenty of clients in no time!

The Future of Dog Grooming Career

The dog grooming industry has seen a slight uptick in recent years with the rise of pet ownership.

 In fact, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 68% of U.S. households own a pet, which is up from 56 percent in 1988.

With this increase in pet ownership comes an increase in demand for pet groomers.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the job outlook for animal care and service workers, which includes dog groomers, is expected to grow by 30% by the year 2030.

This growth is slightly higher than the average for all occupations, which is 7 percent.

However, it’s important to note that the BLS only tracks job growth for traditional employees and does not include self-employed individuals.

When taking into account self-employed workers, the industry growth is likely much higher.

This means that now is a great time to become a dog groomer.

 Not only is there an increased demand for these services, but there are also several new businesses that are starting up to meet this demand.

Parting Thoughts

So, if you are thinking of getting into pet grooming as a career, you can expect a median income of $14.19.

Granted, this is a national average and it is possible to make way more than this. In fact, some pet groomers are making $28.21 per hour!

 However, getting to the top percentile may not be a walk in the park and it will call for lots of dedication and experience.

 Nevertheless, this career is on the rise and there are plenty of opportunities for those who are willing to put in the work.