PetSmart is the second-largest grooming employer on GroomerJob.com with 170+ active positions right now, and arguably the single most important grooming career on-ramp in the country. More working groomers got their start at PetSmart than at any other single company — their in-house Grooming Academy has graduated tens of thousands of certified stylists over the years.
Here's what it's actually like to work at PetSmart as a groomer in 2026: the pay, the training, the academy, the advancement pipeline, and how to position yourself to get hired.
Open PetSmart Grooming Jobs Right Now
170+ active listings across the US, spread across bather, stylist, and salon leader roles. Browse the full current inventory on our PetSmart company page.
The PetSmart Career Ladder
1. Dog Bather (Entry)
No experience required. You learn bathing, drying, brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and salon safety. Typical pay: $14-$17/hour. Bathers who show reliability and animal comfort get invited into the Grooming Academy usually within 6-12 months.
2. PetSmart Grooming Academy
PetSmart's Grooming Academy is a 16-20 week paid apprenticeship where you train under a certified salon leader in an active salon. You graduate as a PetSmart Certified Pet Stylist. Total cost to you: $0. Most competing private grooming schools cost $3,000-$16,000 — the Academy is the industry's best deal for anyone who doesn't have that capital.
The curriculum covers 800+ hours of hands-on grooming across all major breeds, safety protocols, and customer interaction. You're paid your bather wage the entire time.
3. Pet Stylist
Post-academy, you take on your own book. Most PetSmart pet stylists earn $18-$25/hour or 45-50% commission. At busy stores with 6-8 grooms per day, commission-based pay nets $45,000-$65,000 annually including tips.
Review our commission vs hourly pay guide if you're deciding between the two structures.
4. Senior Pet Stylist
2-3+ years post-academy, stylists advance into senior roles with higher commission splits, complex breed work, and mentorship duties. Typical earnings: $55,000-$75,000 annually.
5. Salon Leader / Manager
Salary role with performance bonuses. $55,000-$80,000 base. This is the traditional path to a six-figure grooming career at a franchise, particularly in high-volume metro markets.
PetSmart Pay in 2026
- Bather: $14-$17/hour
- Academy apprentice (in training): $14-$18/hour (paid during training)
- Pet stylist: $18-$25/hour or 45-50% commission
- Senior pet stylist: $22-$28/hour or higher commission tier
- Salon leader / manager: $55,000-$80,000/year salary
Tips typically add $5,000-$15,000/year depending on market and store volume.
Benefits at PetSmart
- Medical, dental, vision insurance (full-time)
- 401k with company match
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- Paid training (the Academy itself)
- Employee discount on products and services
- Tuition assistance and learning programs
- Career mobility across any PetSmart location nationwide
PetSmart vs Petco
The two franchises compete directly and the hiring experience is similar. Differences worth knowing:
- PetSmart Academy is heavier on in-salon hours (800+); Petco Academy blends more online coursework
- PetSmart tends to have larger average store volumes in major metros
- Petco has broader suburban and small-town coverage
- Pay is within a few percentage points of parity for most roles
For a deeper comparison, see our Petco grooming jobs guide alongside this one.
Getting Hired at PetSmart
Apply as a Bather First (Even If You Have Experience)
Counter-intuitive but true: if you have modest grooming experience, you're often better off applying as a bather and getting fast-tracked to the Academy than applying as an external stylist. The Academy credential is a career accelerator — and it's paid training.
Interview Preparation
Behavioral interview format. Expect questions about:
- Long-term career goals (they want candidates who plan to stay)
- Physical stamina ("Can you stand for 8 hours?")
- Animal handling comfort level
- Conflict resolution with clients
- Team collaboration
Prep with our bather interview guide or groomer interview guide.
Resume Tips
Keep it one page. Lead with any pet-related experience (rescue volunteering, dog walking, pet care). Mention reliability, availability for weekends, and long-term interest in grooming as a career. Our groomer resume guide has example bullets.
Apply at Multiple Stores
PetSmart hires rolling — openings come and go within days. Apply at every location in commuting distance. Browse open PetSmart positions and submit to several simultaneously.
Pros of Working at PetSmart
- Industry's most recognized grooming certification pathway
- Paid training (you earn while you learn)
- Strong benefits package
- Clear promotion ladder
- Bather support on most grooms (you don't bathe your own dogs)
- Nationwide career portability
- Corporate safety protocols reduce injury and liability risk
Cons of Working at PetSmart
- Commission rates lower than top independent salons
- High-volume focus — stylists report 6-8 grooms/day pace
- Corporate service menu constrains breed-standard and creative grooming
- Book belongs to PetSmart, not you — leaving means starting over
- Upsell expectations on every groom
FAQs
How long is the PetSmart Grooming Academy?
16-20 weeks. You complete 800+ hours of paid in-salon training and graduate as a PetSmart Certified Pet Stylist.
Do I have to pay for the PetSmart Grooming Academy?
No. It's completely free to employees — you are paid your bather wage throughout the program. This is one of the single biggest financial advantages of the PetSmart career path vs. paying $3,000-$16,000 for a private grooming school.
How much do PetSmart groomers make?
Bathers earn $14-$17/hour. Staff pet stylists earn $18-$25/hour or 45-50% commission. Experienced stylists in busy stores clear $55,000-$75,000 annually including tips. Salon leaders earn $55,000-$80,000 base with bonus upside.
Can I transfer PetSmart stores if I move?
Yes. Your PetSmart employment and your stylist certification are portable across any of their 1,500+ US locations. This is a meaningful advantage over independent salon work, where your career resets every time you relocate.
How long until I can become a PetSmart groomer?
Typically 12-18 months from bather to certified pet stylist. Fast-tracked candidates with prior experience and strong work ethic sometimes make it in 8-10 months. Slower paths take 24+ months.
Is PetSmart or Petco a better fit for new groomers?
Both are excellent entry points. PetSmart has a slight edge for pure grooming training (more in-salon academy hours). Petco has a slight edge for geographic coverage. Pay, benefits, and advancement paths are close enough that proximity to your home usually decides it.
Apply Now
Browse open PetSmart grooming positions or filter by role — bather jobs, groomer jobs, manager jobs. For comparison, also check Petco openings and PetSuites positions. Once you've picked a target, prep with our resume guide and interview prep.
