997 live postings · updated daily

Dog Groomer Salary

Based on 997 live job postings on GroomerJob.com. Average salary range: $53,437 – $65,041 per year.

Avg Min

$53,437

Avg Max

$65,041

Range Low

$200

Range High

$350,000

Browse 997 active Dog Groomer jobs

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Dog Groomer Salary Overview

Full-service dog groomers in the United States earn $53,437 to $65,041 per year, based on 997 live postings aggregated from franchise career pages and local salons. Nebraska currently leads the country in Dog Groomer pay, averaging $82,887 – $158,720 across 6 active listings. Groomers handle bathing, haircuts, nail care, ear cleaning, and breed-standard finishing — it's a skilled trade that combines animal handling, dexterity, and customer service. Petco has the most open Dog Groomer positions right now with 191 active listings across 37 states.

Top-Paying States for Dog Groomers

# State Jobs Avg Min Avg Max
1 Nebraska 6 $82,887 $158,720 View jobs →
2 Washington 10 $70,422 $79,522 View jobs →
3 Virginia 43 $65,204 $69,389 View jobs →
4 Colorado 33 $63,310 $90,930 View jobs →
5 Massachusetts 9 $62,699 $67,321 View jobs →
6 Minnesota 24 $60,798 $81,836 View jobs →
7 Maryland 13 $59,701 $66,047 View jobs →
8 Idaho 12 $57,990 $63,423 View jobs →
9 Georgia 39 $57,883 $74,430 View jobs →
10 North Carolina 48 $57,791 $62,861 View jobs →

Top Employers Hiring Dog Groomers

# Employer Open Jobs States Avg Min
1 Petco 191 37 $43,509 Open jobs →
2 PetSmart 170 38 $52,142 Open jobs →
3 PetSuites 97 17 $54,954 Open jobs →
4 Destination Pet 30 17 $46,418 Open jobs →
5 Barkbus 29 13 $54,797 Open jobs →
6 Woofie’s 17 10 $49,333 Open jobs →
7 CityVet 15 4 $59,335 Open jobs →
8 Feeders Pet Supply 14 5 $32,775 Open jobs →
9 Zoomin Groomin Colorado 14 2 $74,544 Open jobs →
10 Sparkle Grooming Co. 10 4 $55,043 Open jobs →

By Employment Type

full time

576 jobs

$55,540 – $73,558

part time

330 jobs

$50,921 – $53,750

Hourly vs. Salaried

Yearly

997 jobs

$53,437 – $65,041

What Dog Groomers Do

  • Perform full-service grooms: bathing, brushing, haircuts, nail trims, ear cleaning, and styling.
  • Handle dogs safely across breeds, sizes, and temperaments — including anxious, senior, or reactive dogs.
  • Consult with owners on coat care, grooming frequency, and at-home maintenance.
  • Execute breed-standard cuts for sporting, terrier, toy, and non-sporting groups.
  • Maintain salon hygiene, sanitation, and equipment (clippers, shears, HV dryers, tables).
  • Book appointments and manage a personal client roster at most shops.

How to Increase Your Dog Groomer 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 Nebraska tops the list at $82,887 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 Groomers

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Dog Groomer salary in the US?
Based on 997 live Dog Groomer job postings aggregated by GroomerJob.com, average pay is $53,437 to $65,041 per year. Actual pay varies by experience, certification, location, and whether the role is commission-based, hourly, or salaried.
Which state pays Dog Groomers the most?
Nebraska currently leads with average Dog Groomer pay of $82,887 – $158,720 across 6 active listings. See the full top-10 states table above.
Is Dog Groomer pay hourly or salaried?
Both are common. Entry-level and franchise roles are typically hourly (often with commission on top of base hourly); senior, manager, and multi-location roles are more often salaried. Many groomers earn a mix: hourly base + commission on each groom + tips.
Do Dog Groomers get tips?
Yes — tips are a significant and underappreciated part of groomer pay. Typical tip rates run 10–20% of the groom price, and high-volume groomers often take home $150–$400+ per week in tips alone in addition to base pay.
How do I find a Dog Groomer job near me?
Browse all live Dog Groomer positions using the CTAs on this page, or search by city and state on our <a href="/" class="text-primary hover:underline">home page</a>. You can also create a free job alert to get emailed when new Dog Groomer jobs post in your area.