Dog Bather Salary
Based on 105 live job postings on GroomerJob.com. Average salary range: $33,051 – $34,885 per year.
Avg Min
$33,051
Avg Max
$34,885
Range Low
$18,731
Range High
$62,400
Browse 105 active Dog Bather jobs
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Dog Bather Salary Overview
Dog Bathers (also called grooming assistants or pet bathers) are the entry point into the grooming industry. Pay runs $33,051 to $34,885 — typically hourly rather than salaried, with tips adding meaningful upside at high-volume salons. New Jersey currently leads the country in Dog Bather pay, averaging $41,965 – $44,045 across 3 active listings. Most full-service groomers started as bathers: it's how the industry trains scissor skills and animal handling before moving into haircut work. Best Friends Pet Care has the most open Dog Bather positions right now with 8 active listings across 6 states.
Top-Paying States for Dog Bathers
| # | State | Jobs | Avg Min | Avg Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | 3 | $41,965 | $44,045 | View jobs → |
| 2 | Texas | 16 | $37,788 | $38,308 | View jobs → |
| 3 | California | 19 | $36,087 | $37,247 | View jobs → |
| 4 | Alabama | 4 | $33,858 | $54,138 | View jobs → |
| 5 | Florida | 23 | $31,621 | $33,249 | View jobs → |
| 6 | Colorado | 5 | $30,885 | $30,885 | View jobs → |
| 7 | Georgia | 3 | $25,558 | $26,945 | View jobs → |
| 8 | North Carolina | 4 | $24,060 | $24,060 | View jobs → |
| 9 | Virginia | 3 | $22,630 | $22,630 | View jobs → |
Top Employers Hiring Dog Bathers
| # | Employer | Open Jobs | States | Avg Min | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best Friends Pet Care | 8 | 6 | $31,044 | Open jobs → |
| 2 | PetSuites | 6 | 3 | $37,801 | Open jobs → |
| 3 | Zoom to Groom/Grove Bark Inn | 3 | 1 | $31,893 | Open jobs → |
| 4 | Scenthound Corporate Scenters | 3 | 1 | $30,750 | Open jobs → |
| 5 | Rover Industries Of Florida Llc | 3 | 1 | $30,395 | Open jobs → |
| 6 | Elite Suites | 3 | 1 | $42,061 | Open jobs → |
| 7 | Bowie Barker | 2 | 1 | $40,040 | Open jobs → |
| 8 | Scenthound Bonita Springs | 2 | 1 | $31,000 | Open jobs → |
| 9 | Scenthound South Tampa, FL | 2 | 1 | $31,205 | Open jobs → |
| 10 | BSUE DOGS CORP | 2 | 1 | $37,579 | Open jobs → |
By Employment Type
full time
46 jobs
$34,133 – $37,416
part time
15 jobs
$30,808 – $32,888
Hourly vs. Salaried
Yearly
105 jobs
$33,051 – $34,885
What Dog Bathers Do
- Bathe dogs using breed- and coat-appropriate shampoo and conditioner.
- Brush out mats and tangles, then use high-velocity dryers to finish coats before the groomer sees the dog.
- Perform basic nail trims, ear cleaning, and sanitary trims.
- Move dogs safely between kennels, tubs, and grooming tables.
- Assist groomers during cuts: holding, calming, and handling as needed.
- Keep the bathing area, tubs, and towels clean and sanitized between dogs.
How to Increase Your Dog Bather Salary
Get certified
Certifications from the NDGAA (Certified Master Groomer), IPG (International Professional Groomers), or breed-specific programs add credibility and typically shift pay up 10–20%. Some employers pay a certification bonus on top of base salary.
Specialize in difficult breeds
Double-coated breeds, hand-stripping, Asian fusion styling, and Doodle coat work all command premium pricing. Groomers with a verifiable portfolio in any of these specialties charge more per groom and earn more in tips.
Move to a higher-paying market
State-level pay varies dramatically. Currently New Jersey tops the list at $41,965 avg minimum. Urban markets with high pet spend typically pay 15–30% more than rural ones.
Build a booked-out client book
Groomers who run at 90%+ capacity with repeat customers earn more than equally-skilled groomers with gaps. Many salons pay on commission (40–60% of groom price), so capacity utilization compounds directly into take-home pay.
Top Cities Hiring Dog Bathers
Charlotte, NC
3 jobs
$23,830 avg
Bonita Springs, FL
3 jobs
$28,987 avg
Escondido, CA
2 jobs
$39,338 avg
Atlanta, GA
2 jobs
$24,817 avg
Vista, CA
2 jobs
$35,744 avg
League City, TX
2 jobs
$34,614 avg
Tampa, FL
2 jobs
$33,787 avg
Santa Monica, CA
2 jobs
$31,040 avg
Lutz, FL
2 jobs
$31,874 avg
West Palm Beach, FL
2 jobs
$27,958 avg
Boca Raton, FL
2 jobs
$38,533 avg
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