Pet Stylist Salary
Based on 150 live job postings on GroomerJob.com. Average salary range: $53,671 – $82,324 per year.
Avg Min
$53,671
Avg Max
$82,324
Range Low
$200
Range High
$156,000
Browse 150 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 $53,671 to $82,324 — at the top of the grooming career ladder and well above entry bather/groomer roles. Idaho currently leads the country in Pet Stylist pay, averaging $72,263 – $75,730 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 29 active listings across 17 states.
Top-Paying States for Pet Stylists
| # | State | Jobs | Avg Min | Avg Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho | 3 | $72,263 | $75,730 | View jobs → |
| 2 | Georgia | 7 | $62,251 | $78,965 | View jobs → |
| 3 | New York | 4 | $61,642 | $110,392 | View jobs → |
| 4 | Iowa | 5 | $60,189 | $112,189 | View jobs → |
| 5 | Florida | 15 | $59,363 | $90,094 | View jobs → |
| 6 | South Carolina | 8 | $58,649 | $76,199 | View jobs → |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 9 | $55,965 | $103,787 | View jobs → |
| 8 | North Carolina | 5 | $55,214 | $70,294 | View jobs → |
| 9 | Michigan | 4 | $53,300 | $91,000 | View jobs → |
| 10 | Ohio | 4 | $53,300 | $91,000 | View jobs → |
Top Employers Hiring Pet Stylists
| # | Employer | Open Jobs | States | Avg Min | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best Friends Pet Care | 29 | 17 | $40,376 | Open jobs → |
| 2 | Pet Paradise | 24 | 7 | $50,297 | Open jobs → |
| 3 | Barkbus | 13 | 5 | $52,480 | Open jobs → |
| 4 | Zoomin Groomin Central Iowa | 4 | 1 | $65,000 | Open jobs → |
| 5 | Zoomin Groomin of Montco West PA | 3 | 1 | $65,000 | Open jobs → |
| 6 | Zoomin Groomin Lake Conroe TX | 3 | 1 | $65,000 | Open jobs → |
| 7 | Zoomin Groomin North Dallas | 3 | 1 | $65,000 | Open jobs → |
| 8 | Zoomin Groomin of the Palm Beaches | 3 | 1 | $65,000 | Open jobs → |
| 9 | Zoomin Groomin Main Line PA | 3 | 1 | $65,000 | Open jobs → |
| 10 | Zoomin Groomin N. Central San Antonio | 3 | 1 | $65,000 | Open jobs → |
By Employment Type
full time
114 jobs
$55,062 – $92,593
part time
9 jobs
$52,674 – $53,830
Hourly vs. Salaried
Yearly
150 jobs
$53,671 – $82,324
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 Idaho tops the list at $72,263 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
$67,255 avg
West Palm Beach, FL
2 jobs
$58,500 avg
Solano County, CA
2 jobs
$58,240 avg
Philadelphia, PA
2 jobs
$65,000 avg
San Jose, CA
2 jobs
$40,400 avg
Indian Land, SC
2 jobs
$55,497 avg
Castleton, IN
2 jobs
$41,600 avg
Glendale, AZ
2 jobs
$47,337 avg
Greenville, SC
2 jobs
$58,056 avg
Ankeny, IA
2 jobs
$52,973 avg
Scottsdale, AZ
2 jobs
$250 avg
Garland, TX
2 jobs
$65,000 avg
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