PetSuites is the third-largest grooming employer on GroomerJob.com right now with 130+ active positions — and it's a fundamentally different kind of grooming job than Petco, PetSmart, or an independent salon. PetSuites is first a boarding and daycare facility, with grooming as an integrated add-on service. That changes almost everything about what your day looks like, how you're paid, and who your clients are.
Here's what working at a PetSuites-style boarding facility is actually like, and how to decide if it's the right fit for your grooming career.
What Makes Boarding Salons Different
A traditional grooming salon runs on day-of appointments. A dog arrives, gets groomed, goes home. At PetSuites, most grooming clients are already on-site — they're boarding for a weekend, daycare-ing for a day, or checking out after a week-long stay. Grooming gets bundled into the stay.
That shift changes several things:
- You're rarely racing against a pickup clock. Dogs can stay in kennels before and after grooming.
- Your client relationship is thinner — pet parents drop off for boarding, not for your groom specifically.
- You often groom dogs you've met through daycare, which means better behavioral familiarity.
- Tipping is less consistent — some boarding guests don't know to tip the groomer.
- You work alongside daycare and kennel staff, not exclusively grooming colleagues.
Current PetSuites Job Openings
130+ active positions across the country. Browse on our PetSuites company page.
PetSuites Grooming Pay
Pay varies by facility size, market, and pay structure, but typical ranges:
- Dog bather: $13-$17/hour
- Staff groomer: $17-$23/hour or 40-50% commission
- Senior groomer / lead stylist: $21-$27/hour
- Grooming manager: $50,000-$70,000 salary
Tips are typically lower than at a traditional salon because boarding guests aren't expecting grooming. Annual tip totals often run $3,000-$7,000 vs. $8,000-$15,000 at a busy independent salon.
However, the lower tipping is offset by more predictable volume — you know how many boarding guests need baths and grooms this week because they're already booked. There are fewer no-shows, fewer cancellations.
A Typical Day at a PetSuites-Style Facility
7:00 AM: Check daycare/boarding intake for the day. Review grooming schedule.
7:30 AM: First boarding guest comes in from their kennel for a groom. You already met this dog yesterday during their check-in walk.
8:00-12:00 PM: 3-4 grooms on boarding guests. Because pickup isn't time-pressured, you can take breaks between dogs without feeling rushed.
12:00 PM: Lunch in the staff break room with daycare handlers.
1:00-4:00 PM: 2-3 more grooms plus a few walk-in bathing requests from boarding check-outs.
4:00-5:00 PM: Wrap-up, station cleaning, checking tomorrow's schedule.
Total grooms: 5-7/day, similar to a salon. But the emotional tone is different — less hurried, more collaborative with the rest of the facility staff.
Pros of PetSuites Grooming Jobs
- Predictable volume. Boarding bookings tell you next week's groom count in advance.
- Less client anxiety. Dogs are already comfortable with the facility from daycare.
- Lower pickup pressure. Dogs don't need to be finished by a specific time.
- Team environment. You work alongside daycare and boarding staff, not just groomers.
- Behavior insight. You've seen how the dog behaves in daycare before you groom them.
- Growing company. PetSuites is expanding — promotion opportunities are real.
- Corporate benefits package. Full-time roles include health, 401k, PTO.
Cons of PetSuites Grooming Jobs
- Lower tips than traditional salons
- Book belongs to PetSuites — harder to build a personal client base
- Noisier work environment (boarding + daycare)
- Less flexibility on service menu than a true independent salon
- Grooming is not the primary business — facility priorities tilt toward boarding/daycare revenue
Who Should Apply to PetSuites?
- Groomers who want steady, predictable volume
- Stylists who prefer collaborative team environments over solo work
- Groomers recovering from burnout at high-volume Petco or PetSmart stores
- Anyone who enjoys working with dogs across multiple services (grooming + daycare handling)
- Groomers in markets where PetSuites is growing (check current PetSuites openings)
Who Should Skip PetSuites?
- Groomers who depend heavily on tip income
- Stylists building toward mobile ownership who need to develop a personal client book
- Groomers who prefer quieter workplaces (boarding facilities are loud)
- Competition-focused groomers who want premium breed-standard work
PetSuites vs Other Franchise Options
Quick comparison:
- Petco: Highest inventory, largest academy, mid-range pay
- PetSmart: Strong training, high-volume metros
- Tractor Supply: Rural markets, quieter pace
- PetSuites: Boarding-integrated, predictable volume, team-oriented
Each fits a different career stage and personality. See our general commission vs hourly guide for pay structure guidance regardless of which you pick.
How to Apply to PetSuites
- Browse active PetSuites openings in your area
- Update your groomer resume to emphasize multi-dog handling, team collaboration, and animal behavior comfort
- Prep for a behavioral interview (groomer interview questions)
- Emphasize your comfort with noisy, high-traffic environments — this is a key fit signal for boarding facilities
- Apply to 3-5 facilities simultaneously; boarding salons hire slower than retail franchises
FAQs
How is PetSuites different from a traditional grooming salon?
PetSuites is a full-service boarding and daycare facility that also offers grooming. Most grooming clients are already on-site as boarding or daycare guests, which changes your schedule, client relationships, and pay structure compared to a pure grooming salon.
Do PetSuites groomers get tips?
Yes, but less consistently than at traditional salons. Boarding guests don't always tip because grooming is bundled into their stay. Expect lower annual tip totals ($3,000-$7,000 vs. $8,000-$15,000 at busy salons).
How many grooms per day do PetSuites groomers do?
Typically 5-7 full grooms per day, similar to most salons. The difference is pacing — less pickup pressure, more predictable daily volume because guests are already on-site.
Is PetSuites a good place for a new groomer to start?
Decent but not ideal. Petco and PetSmart have more structured academies for brand-new groomers. PetSuites is stronger as a second job after you've built fundamental skills.
Does PetSuites offer benefits?
Full-time positions include medical, dental, vision, 401k, and PTO. Benefits packages are comparable to other major pet-industry employers.
Ready to Apply?
Browse open PetSuites grooming positions or compare with Petco, PetSmart, and Tractor Supply. If you're in a top grooming market, see our state and city guides: Texas grooming jobs, or browse all states.
