Dog Bather Salary
Based on 211 live job postings on GroomerJob.com. Average salary range: $32,036 – $33,810 per year.
Avg Min
$32,036
Avg Max
$33,810
Range Low
$17,802
Range High
$61,614
Browse 211 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 $32,036 to $33,810 — typically hourly rather than salaried, with tips adding meaningful upside at high-volume salons. Minnesota currently leads the country in Dog Bather pay, averaging $38,845 – $45,256 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. PetSmart has the most open Dog Bather positions right now with 21 active listings across 17 states.
Top-Paying States for Dog Bathers
| # | State | Jobs | Avg Min | Avg Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | 4 | $38,845 | $45,256 | View jobs → |
| 2 | Washington | 4 | $37,831 | $37,831 | View jobs → |
| 3 | New Jersey | 7 | $37,501 | $38,541 | View jobs → |
| 4 | Oregon | 3 | $36,713 | $36,713 | View jobs → |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 5 | $36,395 | $38,612 | View jobs → |
| 6 | North Carolina | 6 | $35,819 | $37,666 | View jobs → |
| 7 | Colorado | 9 | $34,134 | $36,984 | View jobs → |
| 8 | California | 25 | $33,767 | $34,917 | View jobs → |
| 9 | Arizona | 4 | $33,434 | $33,434 | View jobs → |
| 10 | Ohio | 4 | $32,518 | $32,518 | View jobs → |
Top Employers Hiring Dog Bathers
| # | Employer | Open Jobs | States | Avg Min | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PetSmart | 21 | 17 | $30,992 | Open jobs → |
| 2 | Scenthound - South Denver | 7 | 1 | $33,415 | Open jobs → |
| 3 | Rover Industries Of Florida Llc | 6 | 1 | $29,798 | Open jobs → |
| 4 | Scenthound Waco, TX | 6 | 1 | $27,423 | Open jobs → |
| 5 | Scenthound | 5 | 1 | $28,377 | Open jobs → |
| 6 | Scenthound - Northeast Georgia | 5 | 1 | $25,561 | Open jobs → |
| 7 | Pet Supplies Plus - LH Mercantile | 4 | 1 | $28,112 | Open jobs → |
| 8 | PetSuites | 4 | 4 | $44,143 | Open jobs → |
| 9 | Scenthound Glendale, WI | 3 | 1 | $27,080 | Open jobs → |
| 10 | Scenthound Lynnwood, WA | 3 | 2 | $52,770 | Open jobs → |
By Employment Type
full time
36 jobs
$32,893 – $35,926
part time
35 jobs
$31,569 – $33,678
Hourly vs. Salaried
Yearly
211 jobs
$32,036 – $33,810
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 Minnesota tops the list at $38,845 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
Atlanta, GA
3 jobs
$26,463 avg
Johns Creek, GA
3 jobs
$29,339 avg
Tampa, FL
3 jobs
$34,042 avg
Missouri City, TX
2 jobs
$29,781 avg
Bonita Springs, FL
2 jobs
$32,088 avg
Phoenix, AZ
2 jobs
$37,025 avg
Charlotte, NC
2 jobs
$28,818 avg
Malvern, PA
2 jobs
$28,999 avg
Aurora, OH
2 jobs
$28,168 avg
Escondido, CA
2 jobs
$41,532 avg
Banning, CA
2 jobs
$17,981 avg
Franklin, TN
2 jobs
$26,112 avg
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