The average dog groomer salary in the United States is roughly $38,000-$42,000 per year. But that national average hides enormous variation. A groomer in New York makes significantly more than a groomer in Mississippi — but also pays significantly more for rent, gas, and groceries. Location is the single biggest factor in grooming pay outside of experience level and pay structure (commission vs. hourly).
This guide breaks down groomer pay across all 50 states, identifies the highest-paying markets, adjusts for cost of living, and highlights which states are growing fastest in grooming demand. Use it alongside our general salary guide (which covers pay by role, experience, and certification) for a complete picture.
Top 10 Highest-Paying States for Dog Groomers
Based on 2026 BLS data and job listing analysis from GroomerJob.com:
- Washington — $48,500 average ($23.30/hr)
- Massachusetts — $47,800 average ($22.98/hr)
- New York — $47,200 average ($22.69/hr)
- California — $46,900 average ($22.55/hr)
- Connecticut — $46,100 average ($22.16/hr)
- New Jersey — $45,600 average ($21.92/hr)
- Colorado — $44,800 average ($21.54/hr)
- Oregon — $44,200 average ($21.25/hr)
- Alaska — $43,900 average ($21.11/hr)
- Minnesota — $43,500 average ($20.91/hr)
No surprises here — these are high cost-of-living states with strong pet care spending. The gross numbers are impressive, but they don't tell the full story. Keep reading for cost-of-living adjusted rankings.
Top 10 States With the Most Grooming Jobs
High pay matters, but so does job availability. These states have the most active grooming positions based on our job board data:
- Texas — 180+ active listings
- California — 165+ active listings
- Florida — 150+ active listings
- New York — 120+ active listings
- Pennsylvania — 95+ active listings
- Ohio — 85+ active listings
- Illinois — 80+ active listings
- Georgia — 75+ active listings
- North Carolina — 70+ active listings
- Virginia — 65+ active listings
Texas leads by a wide margin — more active grooming listings than any other state. This makes sense: large population, sprawling metro areas (DFW, Houston, San Antonio, Austin), and aggressive franchise expansion. Browse all Texas grooming jobs.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Rankings
When you adjust for cost of living using the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) index, the rankings shift dramatically. These states offer the best real purchasing power for groomers:
- Minnesota — $43,500 salary with moderate COL = strong real income
- Washington — highest gross but high COL; still nets well after adjustment
- Texas — $39,500 average with low COL = excellent purchasing power
- Tennessee — $37,800 average with very low COL
- Indiana — $37,200 average with very low COL
- Georgia — $38,500 average with low COL (outside metro Atlanta)
- Iowa — $36,800 average with lowest COL tier nationally
- Colorado — $44,800 with moderate-high COL; still ranks well
- Ohio — $37,000 average with low COL
- North Carolina — $38,000 average with low-moderate COL
The takeaway: earning $38,000 in Texas or Tennessee gives you a better lifestyle than earning $47,000 in New York or California. If you're willing to relocate, the Midwest and South offer the best value for groomers.
Full 50-State Salary Table
| State | Avg Salary | Avg Hourly | COL Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $34,200 | $16.44 | Low |
| Alaska | $43,900 | $21.11 | High |
| Arizona | $39,100 | $18.80 | Moderate |
| Arkansas | $33,500 | $16.11 | Very Low |
| California | $46,900 | $22.55 | Very High |
| Colorado | $44,800 | $21.54 | Moderate-High |
| Connecticut | $46,100 | $22.16 | High |
| Delaware | $39,800 | $19.13 | Moderate |
| Florida | $38,800 | $18.65 | Moderate |
| Georgia | $38,500 | $18.51 | Low |
| Hawaii | $42,500 | $20.43 | Very High |
| Idaho | $35,200 | $16.92 | Low-Moderate |
| Illinois | $40,500 | $19.47 | Moderate |
| Indiana | $37,200 | $17.88 | Very Low |
| Iowa | $36,800 | $17.69 | Very Low |
| Kansas | $36,200 | $17.40 | Very Low |
| Kentucky | $35,500 | $17.07 | Very Low |
| Louisiana | $34,800 | $16.73 | Low |
| Maine | $38,200 | $18.37 | Moderate |
| Maryland | $42,800 | $20.58 | High |
| Massachusetts | $47,800 | $22.98 | Very High |
| Michigan | $37,800 | $18.17 | Low-Moderate |
| Minnesota | $43,500 | $20.91 | Moderate |
| Mississippi | $32,800 | $15.77 | Very Low |
| Missouri | $36,500 | $17.55 | Very Low |
| Montana | $35,800 | $17.21 | Low-Moderate |
| Nebraska | $36,000 | $17.31 | Very Low |
| Nevada | $40,200 | $19.33 | Moderate |
| New Hampshire | $41,500 | $19.95 | Moderate-High |
| New Jersey | $45,600 | $21.92 | Very High |
| New Mexico | $35,500 | $17.07 | Low |
| New York | $47,200 | $22.69 | Very High |
| North Carolina | $38,000 | $18.27 | Low-Moderate |
| North Dakota | $36,500 | $17.55 | Low |
| Ohio | $37,000 | $17.79 | Low |
| Oklahoma | $34,500 | $16.59 | Very Low |
| Oregon | $44,200 | $21.25 | High |
| Pennsylvania | $39,500 | $18.99 | Moderate |
| Rhode Island | $41,800 | $20.10 | High |
| South Carolina | $36,200 | $17.40 | Low |
| South Dakota | $35,000 | $16.83 | Very Low |
| Tennessee | $37,800 | $18.17 | Very Low |
| Texas | $39,500 | $18.99 | Low |
| Utah | $37,500 | $18.03 | Low-Moderate |
| Vermont | $39,500 | $18.99 | Moderate-High |
| Virginia | $41,200 | $19.81 | Moderate |
| Washington | $48,500 | $23.30 | High |
| West Virginia | $33,200 | $15.96 | Very Low |
| Wisconsin | $38,500 | $18.51 | Low-Moderate |
| Wyoming | $35,500 | $17.07 | Low-Moderate |
Data sources: BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (May 2025 release), GroomerJob.com listing analysis (Q2 2026), and MERIC cost-of-living index.
Metro Area Hotspots
State averages mask huge variation within states. Groomers in metro areas consistently earn 15-30% more than rural groomers in the same state. The highest-paying metro areas for groomers in 2026:
- Seattle-Tacoma, WA — $52,000+ average (highest in the country)
- San Francisco Bay Area, CA — $51,000+
- New York City metro, NY/NJ — $50,000+
- Boston, MA — $49,000+
- Denver, CO — $47,000+
- Los Angeles, CA — $46,500+
- Washington, DC metro — $46,000+
- Minneapolis, MN — $45,500+
- Portland, OR — $45,000+
- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX — $42,000+ (best value when adjusted for COL)
Browse jobs in any of these markets on our state directory.
Fastest-Growing States for Grooming Jobs
Where is grooming demand growing fastest? Based on year-over-year job listing growth on our platform:
- Texas — massive franchise expansion (Scenthound, PetSuites, Camp Bow Wow) driving 25%+ YoY growth
- Florida — population growth + pet ownership boom = consistent demand increase
- Arizona — Phoenix metro is one of the fastest-growing pet care markets in the US
- Tennessee — Nashville and Memphis metro areas expanding rapidly
- North Carolina — Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham attracting pet care franchises
- Georgia — Atlanta metro suburban sprawl creating new salon demand
- Colorado — Denver's pet culture driving premium grooming demand
If you're choosing where to build a grooming career long-term, these states offer the best combination of growing demand, reasonable cost of living, and upward salary pressure. Check Texas, Florida, and California job boards for current openings.
What Affects Salary Beyond Location?
State is one variable. These factors also matter significantly:
- Pay structure: Commission groomers (45-60% of service revenue) typically out-earn hourly groomers by 15-30%. See our commission vs hourly breakdown.
- Experience: A groomer with 5+ years earns 30-50% more than a first-year groomer in the same market.
- Certifications: NDGAA or IPG certified groomers command higher commission rates and more client trust. See certification comparison.
- Employer type: Independent salons often pay higher commission than franchises, but franchises offer benefits and training.
- Specialization: Groomers who specialize in breed-standard show cuts or hand-stripping command premium pricing.
Should You Relocate for Higher Pay?
Maybe. Here's the decision framework:
- Calculate your real income. Use cost-of-living calculators to compare your current take-home purchasing power vs. the target city. A $10,000 raise means nothing if rent increases by $12,000.
- Check job availability. A high-paying market with no openings doesn't help you. Verify there are active listings on our job search before planning a move.
- Consider client-building time. If you're on commission, you'll start from zero in a new city. Budget for 2-3 months of lower income while you build your book.
- Factor in salon supply. More grooming salons per capita = more employer competition for your skills = higher pay. Oversaturated markets (too many groomers, not enough dogs) push pay down regardless of state average.
Try our salary calculator to estimate earnings in a specific market based on your experience level, pay structure, and hours.
FAQs
Which state pays dog groomers the most?
Washington state leads with an average of $48,500/year. However, when adjusted for cost of living, Minnesota and Texas offer better real purchasing power.
Can groomers make $60,000+ anywhere in the US?
Yes. Experienced commission groomers in busy salons regularly earn $60,000-$80,000+ in most major metro areas. The national average is pulled down by part-time groomers and entry-level positions. Full-time experienced groomers in top markets consistently exceed $60K.
Does it matter if I work in a city vs. a rural area?
Significantly. Metro groomers earn 15-30% more than rural groomers in the same state. The trade-off: lower cost of living in rural areas and potentially less competition for clients. Some rural groomers earn less per dog but have longer client waiting lists because they're the only groomer for 30 miles.
Are groomer salaries going up or down?
Up. BLS data shows 8-12% salary growth for groomers from 2022-2026, outpacing general wage growth. The groomer shortage is real — there are more dogs than qualified groomers in most markets, and that's pushing pay higher year over year.
Find Jobs in Your State
Browse grooming jobs by state on our state directory. Every listing includes location, pay range (when posted), and company details. Or use the search page to filter by your city, zip code, or preferred employer.
