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
Charleston, SC
11 jobs
$65,589 avg
Charlotte, NC
8 jobs
$51,338 avg
Raleigh, NC
7 jobs
$70,174 avg
San Antonio, TX
7 jobs
$51,218 avg
Alpharetta, GA
6 jobs
$68,468 avg
Phoenix, AZ
5 jobs
$57,975 avg
Atlanta, GA
5 jobs
$61,437 avg
Highlands Ranch, CO
5 jobs
$48,062 avg
Dallas, TX
5 jobs
$58,407 avg
Scottsdale, AZ
5 jobs
$66,495 avg
Keller, TX
5 jobs
$51,181 avg
Chicago, IL
5 jobs
$59,321 avg
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