Dog Bather Salary
Based on 115 live job postings on GroomerJob.com. Average salary range: $33,242 – $34,820 per year.
Avg Min
$33,242
Avg Max
$34,820
Range Low
$18,097
Range High
$62,400
Browse 115 active Dog Bather jobs
Create a free job alert and get new positions emailed to you the day they post.
Dog Bather Salary Overview
Dog Bathers (also called grooming assistants or pet bathers) are the entry point into the grooming industry. Pay runs $33,242 to $34,820 — typically hourly rather than salaried, with tips adding meaningful upside at high-volume salons. Virginia currently leads the country in Dog Bather pay, averaging $43,049 – $43,049 across 4 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. PetSuites has the most open Dog Bather positions right now with 9 active listings across 7 states.
Top-Paying States for Dog Bathers
| # | State | Jobs | Avg Min | Avg Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia | 4 | $43,049 | $43,049 | View jobs → |
| 2 | Colorado | 6 | $39,867 | $43,680 | View jobs → |
| 3 | Texas | 20 | $37,409 | $38,189 | View jobs → |
| 4 | Minnesota | 4 | $36,419 | $41,099 | View jobs → |
| 5 | California | 14 | $36,246 | $40,480 | View jobs → |
| 6 | Alabama | 3 | $33,812 | $33,812 | View jobs → |
| 7 | New Jersey | 3 | $33,015 | $34,401 | View jobs → |
| 8 | North Carolina | 10 | $31,835 | $31,835 | View jobs → |
| 9 | Florida | 21 | $30,217 | $31,158 | View jobs → |
| 10 | Tennessee | 5 | $29,168 | $30,624 | View jobs → |
Top Employers Hiring Dog Bathers
| # | Employer | Open Jobs | States | Avg Min | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PetSuites | 9 | 7 | $34,630 | Open jobs → |
| 2 | Pet Paradise | 7 | 4 | $44,385 | Open jobs → |
| 3 | Rover Industries Of Florida Llc | 6 | 1 | $29,737 | Open jobs → |
| 4 | Barkbus | 5 | 3 | $48,672 | Open jobs → |
| 5 | Scenthound Waco, TX | 4 | 1 | $25,868 | Open jobs → |
| 6 | Scenthound - South Denver | 4 | 1 | $37,440 | Open jobs → |
| 7 | Scenthound | 3 | 2 | $31,525 | Open jobs → |
| 8 | Scenthound Franklin, TN | 3 | 1 | $29,293 | Open jobs → |
| 9 | BarkSuds | 3 | 2 | $24,098 | Open jobs → |
| 10 | Pet Supplies Plus - LH Mercantile | 3 | 1 | $26,832 | Open jobs → |
By Employment Type
full time
33 jobs
$35,123 – $39,283
part time
18 jobs
$36,426 – $38,997
Hourly vs. Salaried
Yearly
115 jobs
$33,242 – $34,820
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 Virginia tops the list at $43,049 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
5 jobs
$29,923 avg
Tampa, FL
3 jobs
$30,267 avg
Chesapeake, VA
2 jobs
$43,884 avg
Birmingham, AL
2 jobs
$31,167 avg
Houston, TX
2 jobs
$44,801 avg
Atlanta, GA
2 jobs
$30,490 avg
West Palm Beach, FL
2 jobs
$25,917 avg
League City, TX
2 jobs
$31,439 avg
Cary, NC
2 jobs
$23,575 avg
Fairview, TN
2 jobs
$30,307 avg
Hiring Dog Bathers?
Post a job free and reach thousands of qualified groomers, bathers, and pet stylists.