Dog Groomer Salary
Based on 894 live job postings on GroomerJob.com. Average salary range: $55,259 – $59,236 per year.
Avg Min
$55,259
Avg Max
$59,236
Range Low
$27
Range High
$182,000
Browse 894 active Dog Groomer jobs
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Dog Groomer Salary Overview
Full-service dog groomers in the United States earn $55,259 to $59,236 per year, based on 894 live postings aggregated from franchise career pages and local salons. Nebraska currently leads the country in Dog Groomer pay, averaging $83,184 – $159,017 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 188 active listings across 41 states.
Top-Paying States for Dog Groomers
| # | State | Jobs | Avg Min | Avg Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nebraska | 6 | $83,184 | $159,017 | View jobs → |
| 2 | Colorado | 44 | $78,949 | $88,995 | View jobs → |
| 3 | Washington | 21 | $72,507 | $78,726 | View jobs → |
| 4 | Georgia | 45 | $65,556 | $68,480 | View jobs → |
| 5 | Arizona | 34 | $58,704 | $61,204 | View jobs → |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 13 | $58,348 | $59,948 | View jobs → |
| 7 | Virginia | 40 | $57,836 | $61,606 | View jobs → |
| 8 | New Jersey | 22 | $57,733 | $67,803 | View jobs → |
| 9 | North Carolina | 46 | $57,118 | $58,059 | View jobs → |
| 10 | Alabama | 11 | $56,364 | $56,364 | View jobs → |
Top Employers Hiring Dog Groomers
| # | Employer | Open Jobs | States | Avg Min | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Petco | 188 | 41 | $44,352 | Open jobs → |
| 2 | PetSmart | 71 | 25 | $51,316 | Open jobs → |
| 3 | US Retail | 29 | 12 | $48,523 | Open jobs → |
| 4 | PetSuites | 28 | 11 | $49,625 | Open jobs → |
| 5 | Barkbus | 18 | 9 | $61,141 | Open jobs → |
| 6 | Destination Pet | 17 | 10 | $48,502 | Open jobs → |
| 7 | Zoomin Groomin Colorado | 16 | 1 | $100,741 | Open jobs → |
| 8 | Sparkle Grooming Co. | 12 | 5 | $50,611 | Open jobs → |
| 9 | Zoomin Groomin Forsyth/Gwinnett County GA | 9 | 1 | $114,598 | Open jobs → |
| 10 | Feeders Pet Supply | 7 | 3 | $31,415 | Open jobs → |
By Employment Type
full time
385 jobs
$52,892 – $61,054
part time
104 jobs
$48,928 – $52,543
Hourly vs. Salaried
Yearly
887 jobs
$55,321 – $59,236
Hourly
1 job
$27 – $0
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 $83,184 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
$62,007 avg
Denver, CO
8 jobs
$81,473 avg
Charlotte, NC
7 jobs
$58,086 avg
Highlands Ranch, CO
7 jobs
$70,391 avg
Wallingford, CT
7 jobs
$34,162 avg
Dallas, TX
7 jobs
$50,762 avg
Boulder, CO
6 jobs
$58,911 avg
San Antonio, TX
6 jobs
$61,230 avg
Round Rock, TX
6 jobs
$57,284 avg
Atlanta, GA
6 jobs
$55,675 avg
Centennial, CO
5 jobs
$128,333 avg
Omaha, NE
5 jobs
$91,000 avg
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