Dog Bather Salary
Based on 150 live job postings on GroomerJob.com. Average salary range: $33,822 – $36,832 per year.
Avg Min
$33,822
Avg Max
$36,832
Range Low
$16,548
Range High
$61,379
Browse 150 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 $33,822 to $36,832 — typically hourly rather than salaried, with tips adding meaningful upside at high-volume salons. South Carolina currently leads the country in Dog Bather pay, averaging $41,884 – $41,884 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. PetSuites has the most open Dog Bather positions right now with 34 active listings across 13 states.
Top-Paying States for Dog Bathers
| # | State | Jobs | Avg Min | Avg Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Carolina | 3 | $41,884 | $41,884 | View jobs → |
| 2 | Colorado | 11 | $41,431 | $44,969 | View jobs → |
| 3 | California | 10 | $40,887 | $45,640 | View jobs → |
| 4 | Minnesota | 3 | $35,468 | $44,481 | View jobs → |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 4 | $35,055 | $38,435 | View jobs → |
| 6 | Texas | 22 | $35,022 | $37,244 | View jobs → |
| 7 | Tennessee | 4 | $33,895 | $35,975 | View jobs → |
| 8 | Alabama | 5 | $32,834 | $54,050 | View jobs → |
| 9 | North Carolina | 8 | $32,776 | $32,776 | View jobs → |
| 10 | Ohio | 7 | $32,512 | $32,958 | View jobs → |
Top Employers Hiring Dog Bathers
| # | Employer | Open Jobs | States | Avg Min | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PetSuites | 34 | 13 | $36,479 | Open jobs → |
| 2 | Best Friends Pet Care | 11 | 8 | $35,053 | Open jobs → |
| 3 | Scenthound Corporate Scenters | 8 | 1 | $28,860 | Open jobs → |
| 4 | Zoom to Groom/Grove Bark Inn | 4 | 1 | $30,160 | Open jobs → |
| 5 | Scenthound - South Denver | 4 | 1 | $37,440 | Open jobs → |
| 6 | Wag Acquisition Group | 3 | 2 | $28,704 | Open jobs → |
| 7 | Barkefeller Group | 3 | 1 | $32,001 | Open jobs → |
| 8 | Pet Paradise | 3 | 3 | $46,057 | Open jobs → |
| 9 | Pet Supplies Plus - LH Mercantile | 3 | 1 | $31,200 | Open jobs → |
| 10 | Scenthound Naples, FL | 2 | 1 | $29,120 | Open jobs → |
By Employment Type
full time
90 jobs
$34,918 – $38,222
part time
43 jobs
$32,239 – $35,825
Hourly vs. Salaried
Yearly
150 jobs
$33,822 – $36,832
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 South Carolina tops the list at $41,884 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
4 jobs
$29,182 avg
Aurora, OH
2 jobs
$28,168 avg
Naperville, IL
2 jobs
$31,200 avg
Birmingham, MI
2 jobs
$28,080 avg
Village of Wellington, FL
2 jobs
$29,120 avg
League City, TX
2 jobs
$34,614 avg
Carmel, IN
2 jobs
$33,435 avg
Frazer, PA
2 jobs
$31,665 avg
Edgewater, CO
2 jobs
$37,491 avg
Del Mar, CA
2 jobs
$50,180 avg
Benbrook, TX
2 jobs
$29,120 avg
Jupiter Inlet, FL
2 jobs
$28,080 avg
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