Dog Groomer Salary
Based on 908 live job postings on GroomerJob.com. Average salary range: $47,668 – $51,049 per year.
Avg Min
$47,668
Avg Max
$51,049
Range Low
$11,700
Range High
$182,000
Browse 908 active Dog Groomer jobs
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Dog Groomer Salary Overview
Full-service dog groomers in the United States earn $47,668 to $51,049 per year, based on 908 live postings aggregated from franchise career pages and local salons. Washington currently leads the country in Dog Groomer pay, averaging $66,392 – $69,859 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 Animal Supplies Stores has the most open Dog Groomer positions right now with 219 active listings across 46 states.
Top-Paying States for Dog Groomers
| # | State | Jobs | Avg Min | Avg Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 6 | $66,392 | $69,859 | View jobs → |
| 2 | New Jersey | 27 | $62,518 | $67,516 | View jobs → |
| 3 | New York | 22 | $55,687 | $59,898 | View jobs → |
| 4 | Colorado | 20 | $54,694 | $66,926 | View jobs → |
| 5 | Georgia | 51 | $53,127 | $53,569 | View jobs → |
| 6 | South Carolina | 30 | $52,585 | $52,585 | View jobs → |
| 7 | New Hampshire | 6 | $52,122 | $54,895 | View jobs → |
| 8 | Nebraska | 4 | $51,694 | $74,444 | View jobs → |
| 9 | California | 73 | $51,428 | $56,802 | View jobs → |
| 10 | Connecticut | 15 | $51,258 | $54,858 | View jobs → |
Top Employers Hiring Dog Groomers
| # | Employer | Open Jobs | States | Avg Min | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Petco Animal Supplies Stores | 219 | 46 | $36,222 | Open jobs → |
| 2 | PetSmart | 78 | 18 | $46,660 | Open jobs → |
| 3 | PetSuites | 34 | 11 | $41,522 | Open jobs → |
| 4 | Barkbus | 29 | 7 | $60,453 | Open jobs → |
| 5 | Feeders Pet Supply | 20 | 4 | $30,001 | Open jobs → |
| 6 | Destination Pet | 14 | 7 | $43,566 | Open jobs → |
| 7 | Sparkle Grooming Co. | 13 | 6 | $50,600 | Open jobs → |
| 8 | PETCO Animal Supplies Stores, Inc. | 12 | 6 | $36,093 | Open jobs → |
| 9 | Smoochie Pooch Mobile Pet Spa LLC | 9 | 2 | $50,201 | Open jobs → |
| 10 | CityVet | 9 | 3 | $59,466 | Open jobs → |
By Employment Type
full time
377 jobs
$43,614 – $49,914
part time
101 jobs
$42,425 – $45,327
Hourly vs. Salaried
Yearly
908 jobs
$47,668 – $51,049
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 Washington tops the list at $66,392 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
Los Angeles, CA
10 jobs
$47,948 avg
Charleston, SC
10 jobs
$66,027 avg
Chicago, IL
7 jobs
$49,784 avg
Houston, TX
6 jobs
$50,937 avg
Alpharetta, GA
6 jobs
$52,708 avg
Denver, CO
6 jobs
$52,221 avg
Atlanta, GA
6 jobs
$43,016 avg
Portland, OR
5 jobs
$57,488 avg
Allen, TX
5 jobs
$48,125 avg
Mansfield, TX
5 jobs
$76,175 avg
Lockwood, MT
5 jobs
$43,494 avg
Peachtree Corners, GA
5 jobs
$39,961 avg
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