Pet Stylist Salary
Based on 119 live job postings on GroomerJob.com. Average salary range: $57,742 – $68,264 per year.
Avg Min
$57,742
Avg Max
$68,264
Range Low
$250
Range High
$130,000
Browse 119 active Pet Stylist jobs
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Pet Stylist Salary Overview
Pet Stylists are senior-level groomers specializing in breed-standard cuts, show grooming, and creative styling. Salaries run $57,742 to $68,264 — at the top of the grooming career ladder and well above entry bather/groomer roles. Ohio currently leads the country in Pet Stylist pay, averaging $80,520 – $83,986 across 3 active listings. Pet Stylist titles usually require 2+ years of grooming experience, certification from a major program (NDGAA, IPG), and a portfolio of breed-standard work. Best Friends Pet Care has the most open Pet Stylist positions right now with 28 active listings across 16 states.
Top-Paying States for Pet Stylists
| # | State | Jobs | Avg Min | Avg Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio | 3 | $80,520 | $83,986 | View jobs → |
| 2 | Iowa | 3 | $77,176 | $98,843 | View jobs → |
| 3 | Colorado | 12 | $76,973 | $98,899 | View jobs → |
| 4 | Florida | 12 | $66,241 | $87,691 | View jobs → |
| 5 | South Carolina | 3 | $62,927 | $66,394 | View jobs → |
| 6 | North Carolina | 4 | $61,865 | $65,505 | View jobs → |
| 7 | Virginia | 7 | $57,638 | $63,290 | View jobs → |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | 3 | $55,406 | $68,873 | View jobs → |
| 9 | California | 14 | $51,660 | $64,289 | View jobs → |
| 10 | Texas | 15 | $50,483 | $55,891 | View jobs → |
Top Employers Hiring Pet Stylists
| # | Employer | Open Jobs | States | Avg Min | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best Friends Pet Care | 28 | 16 | $40,874 | Open jobs → |
| 2 | Barkbus | 15 | 8 | $53,941 | Open jobs → |
| 3 | Pet Paradise | 7 | 3 | $47,711 | Open jobs → |
| 4 | Zoomin Groomin Fort Collins, CO | 5 | 1 | $92,758 | Open jobs → |
| 5 | Zoomin Groomin Centennial | 3 | 1 | $74,586 | Open jobs → |
| 6 | Zoomin Groomin Central Iowa | 3 | 1 | $77,176 | Open jobs → |
| 7 | Zoomin Groomin Naples FL | 2 | 1 | $65,000 | Open jobs → |
| 8 | Zoomin Groomin of the Palm Beaches | 2 | 1 | $80,232 | Open jobs → |
| 9 | Zoomin Groomin Colorado | 2 | 1 | $70,221 | Open jobs → |
| 10 | Zoomin Groomin Phoenix West Valley | 2 | 1 | $65,000 | Open jobs → |
By Employment Type
full time
71 jobs
$49,425 – $66,708
part time
3 jobs
$54,967 – $54,967
Hourly vs. Salaried
Yearly
119 jobs
$57,742 – $68,264
What Pet Stylists Do
- Execute precise breed-standard haircuts per AKC or UKC conformation guidelines.
- Creative and competition grooming: color work, stylized trims, show prep.
- Hand-stripping on terrier and spaniel coats that require carded work rather than clipping.
- Mentor junior groomers and set quality standards in the salon.
- Build a repeat high-end clientele who book by stylist rather than by shop.
- Often lead seminars, compete at grooming shows, or contribute to grooming publications.
How to Increase Your Pet Stylist 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 Ohio tops the list at $80,520 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 Pet Stylists
Phoenix, AZ
3 jobs
$57,086 avg
Fort Collins, CO
3 jobs
$90,416 avg
South Riding, VA
2 jobs
$43,575 avg
Glendale, AZ
2 jobs
$51,539 avg
Highlands Ranch, CO
2 jobs
$70,221 avg
Cincinnati, OH
2 jobs
$99,979 avg
Stuart, FL
2 jobs
$83,838 avg
Aurora, CO
2 jobs
$79,380 avg
Naples, FL
2 jobs
$78,148 avg
Charlotte, NC
2 jobs
$72,881 avg
Alpharetta, GA
2 jobs
$49,800 avg
Windsor, CO
2 jobs
$96,271 avg
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