Dog Groomer Salary
Based on 394 live job postings on GroomerJob.com. Average salary range: $48,538 – $55,604 per year.
Avg Min
$48,538
Avg Max
$55,604
Range Low
$250
Range High
$164,214
Browse 394 active Dog Groomer jobs
Create a free job alert and get new positions emailed to you the day they post.
Dog Groomer Salary Overview
Full-service dog groomers in the United States earn $48,538 to $55,604 per year, based on 394 live postings aggregated from franchise career pages and local salons. Washington currently leads the country in Dog Groomer pay, averaging $75,675 – $75,675 across 5 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. PetSmart has the most open Dog Groomer positions right now with 95 active listings across 35 states.
Top-Paying States for Dog Groomers
| # | State | Jobs | Avg Min | Avg Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 5 | $75,675 | $75,675 | View jobs → |
| 2 | Virginia | 12 | $73,437 | $75,650 | View jobs → |
| 3 | Oregon | 6 | $72,651 | $72,651 | View jobs → |
| 4 | Iowa | 4 | $61,161 | $109,911 | View jobs → |
| 5 | Tennessee | 3 | $57,663 | $64,597 | View jobs → |
| 6 | Utah | 4 | $56,793 | $56,793 | View jobs → |
| 7 | Nebraska | 3 | $56,624 | $56,624 | View jobs → |
| 8 | Michigan | 9 | $56,520 | $56,520 | View jobs → |
| 9 | Arizona | 10 | $51,910 | $61,946 | View jobs → |
| 10 | South Carolina | 6 | $50,867 | $65,600 | View jobs → |
Top Employers Hiring Dog Groomers
| # | Employer | Open Jobs | States | Avg Min | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PetSmart | 95 | 35 | $50,474 | Open jobs → |
| 2 | Tractor Supply Company | 34 | 5 | $39,442 | Open jobs → |
| 3 | PetSuites | 23 | 12 | $52,116 | Open jobs → |
| 4 | Barkbus | 15 | 7 | $51,627 | Open jobs → |
| 5 | Petco | 15 | 13 | $38,968 | Open jobs → |
| 6 | Destination Pet | 14 | 13 | $45,403 | Open jobs → |
| 7 | Digs Dog Care | 11 | 5 | $46,513 | Open jobs → |
| 8 | Zoomin Groomin Carver County MN | 6 | 1 | $21,833 | Open jobs → |
| 9 | CityVet | 4 | 2 | $63,154 | Open jobs → |
| 10 | Feeders Pet Supply | 4 | 4 | $34,137 | Open jobs → |
By Employment Type
full time
192 jobs
$49,254 – $61,380
part time
46 jobs
$44,579 – $52,160
Hourly vs. Salaried
Yearly
393 jobs
$48,538 – $55,604
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 $75,675 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
Loveland, OH
4 jobs
$77,403 avg
New Augusta, IN
3 jobs
$47,178 avg
Poughkeepsie, NY
3 jobs
$39,970 avg
Burke, VA
3 jobs
$117,549 avg
Lexington, KY
3 jobs
$49,587 avg
Wichita Falls, TX
2 jobs
$31,836 avg
Las Vegas, NV
2 jobs
$36,604 avg
Highland Heights, KY
2 jobs
$39,520 avg
Cascade, MI
2 jobs
$27,597 avg
Wheat Ridge, CO
2 jobs
$52,435 avg
Fort Collins, CO
2 jobs
$40,040 avg
Lauderdale, MN
2 jobs
$54,773 avg
Hiring Dog Groomers?
Post a job free and reach thousands of qualified groomers, bathers, and pet stylists.