Dog Groomer Salary
Based on 1040 live job postings on GroomerJob.com. Average salary range: $48,528 – $50,294 per year.
Avg Min
$48,528
Avg Max
$50,294
Range Low
$520
Range High
$199,754
Browse 1,040 active Dog Groomer jobs
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Dog Groomer Salary Overview
Full-service dog groomers in the United States earn $48,528 to $50,294 per year, based on 1040 live postings aggregated from franchise career pages and local salons. Washington currently leads the country in Dog Groomer pay, averaging $71,254 – $75,254 across 9 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 147 active listings across 32 states.
Top-Paying States for Dog Groomers
| # | State | Jobs | Avg Min | Avg Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 9 | $71,254 | $75,254 | View jobs → |
| 2 | South Carolina | 33 | $64,722 | $65,038 | View jobs → |
| 3 | Maryland | 17 | $59,918 | $60,389 | View jobs → |
| 4 | Georgia | 54 | $56,780 | $60,482 | View jobs → |
| 5 | Colorado | 24 | $56,425 | $58,071 | View jobs → |
| 6 | Illinois | 24 | $56,334 | $59,080 | View jobs → |
| 7 | Michigan | 33 | $53,803 | $61,681 | View jobs → |
| 8 | Alabama | 9 | $53,702 | $53,702 | View jobs → |
| 9 | California | 84 | $51,358 | $54,726 | View jobs → |
| 10 | Ohio | 23 | $51,197 | $51,197 | View jobs → |
Top Employers Hiring Dog Groomers
| # | Employer | Open Jobs | States | Avg Min | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Petco Animal Supplies Stores | 147 | 32 | $37,321 | Open jobs → |
| 2 | PETCO Animal Supplies Stores, Inc. | 87 | 28 | $34,985 | Open jobs → |
| 3 | PetSmart | 84 | 17 | $46,693 | Open jobs → |
| 4 | Petco | 51 | 22 | $45,533 | Open jobs → |
| 5 | Barkbus | 27 | 7 | $44,333 | Open jobs → |
| 6 | Destination Pet | 17 | 11 | $41,952 | Open jobs → |
| 7 | PetSuites | 14 | 10 | $45,200 | Open jobs → |
| 8 | Feeders Pet Supply | 14 | 4 | $29,906 | Open jobs → |
| 9 | Sparkle Grooming Co. | 13 | 8 | $54,725 | Open jobs → |
| 10 | Chow Hound | 8 | 1 | $27,889 | Open jobs → |
By Employment Type
full time
293 jobs
$43,033 – $47,468
part time
130 jobs
$50,644 – $52,912
Hourly vs. Salaried
Yearly
1,040 jobs
$48,528 – $50,294
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 $71,254 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
$70,515 avg
Denver, CO
9 jobs
$56,899 avg
Dallas, TX
8 jobs
$58,904 avg
Los Angeles, CA
8 jobs
$51,243 avg
Austin, TX
8 jobs
$48,616 avg
Atlanta, GA
7 jobs
$38,827 avg
Alpharetta, GA
6 jobs
$40,785 avg
Tampa, FL
6 jobs
$56,376 avg
South Brunswick, NC
6 jobs
$41,576 avg
Charlotte, NC
6 jobs
$57,348 avg
Fairfield, CT
5 jobs
$39,610 avg
Mckinney, TX
5 jobs
$43,716 avg
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