Many people are turning to the pet care business for second professions, with many of them becoming dog groomers.
You might ask yourself how much dog groomers make if you are thinking about pivoting through this job as a second job or as a career.
It’s crucial to know the typical dog groomer income in the United States.
The chance to deal with animals daily is an apparent draw for a grooming vocation.
Working with animals isn’t always enough; it’s also necessary to be able to live comfortably.
Judging by the job that you need to be aware of dogs, you might expect higher payouts but not as high as to go to the six-figures.
According to Indeed, based on 2,046 ratings, only 40% of Dog Groomers are satisfied with their pay.
To find out Dog Groomers salary in actual numbers, keep reading!
Summary
| Guide | How Much Dog Groomers Make? |
|---|---|
| Average Income | $17,000 annually per year |
| Highest Income | $40,000 per year |
| Qualification | Not needed |
| Training | Not needed |
Who Are Dog Groomers?
A dog groomer makes a career by cleaning and also hygienically caring for dogs.
Regular grooming is an essential element of dog care and plays a significant role in maintaining a dog’s health.
By inspecting for swelling, wounds, heat, changes in attitude, parasites on the skin, and also thrush, dog groomers reduce the likelihood of dogs developing health problems.
Nail clipping, bathing, fur trimming, fur dyeing, and also nail painting are among the services they offer.
A dog groomer will try to make a dog as clean and tidy as possible, focusing on the dog’s ears, hair, and nails in particular.
Groomers frequently begin by inquiring about the client’s preferences for their dog’s grooming.
Once the groomer has a good sense of what the owner wants, they place the dog on a table and examine it more attentively before deciding what equipment and techniques to apply.
Read: Petco Hours
How Much Do Dog Groomers Make?
According to an independent analysis conducted by payscale.com, the average dog groomer income in the United States is $29,848.
We see that some dog groomers can earn more, but some could earn less. On the lower bracket, the entry-level groomers make around $17,000 annually.
These figures represent the typical dog groomer wage and do not include tips or incentives.
Tips may make up a large number of a dog groomer’s earnings. According to statistics, experienced groomers may earn up to $4.26 per hour in tips ($8,860.08 per year while working 40 hours per week).
There is also a system where you work on a commission basis rather than salary, but this practice has been getting out of reality for some time.
These companies give their dog groomers a commission for each dog they groom.
The commission is generally between 30 and 60 percent, with the average being about 50 percent.
1. How Much Do Dog Groomers Make in an Hour?
Dog Groomers make a minimum of $8.68 an hour and a maximum of $37.61 an hour.
2. How Much Do Dog Groomers Make in a Month?
Dog Groomers make a minimum of $1,505 a month and a maximum of $6,520 a month.
3. How Much Do Dog Groomers Make in a Year?
Dog Groomers make a minimum of $18,055 a year and a maximum of $78,236 a year.
Highest Salary Of Dog Groomers In 2023
Even though it depends on what you can earn as a dog groomer, the salaries recorded to authorities and certain job advertisements websites are precise.
However, as we have mentioned, these might not be accurate 100% of the time as you will get tips or commissions, at the very least. The highest salary of dog groomers is around $40,000 annually.
Not even double the medium salary of dog groomers but still higher than you would expect. Doing this as a primary job might not be the best option.
Is Being A Dog Groomer Good Or Bad?
If you like dogs and spending time with them while also cleaning them and helping them out with their problems, being a dog groomer is definitely fun and is a good fit for you.
But, the pay is meager and might not be enough for you to live on your own with it.
If you are doing it as a second job and you like dogs and spending time with them, be a dog groomer because it most certainly is good for you.
Pros and Cons of Being A Dog Groomer
Pros
- You get to be around dogs
- Good demand
- You can open your own business
- You will get to learn a lot
- Flexibility
Cons
- Physically demanding
- Some dogs are tough to work with
- Bites & injuries are common
What is it Like to Become a Dog Groomer?
How To Become A Dog Groomer?
Here’s how you can become a Dog Groomer:
- So there are no set qualifications or set paths to becoming a dog groomer. However, if you want to separate from the throng, take a grooming, styling, or animal welfare course.
- Now attend a dog grooming school to get practical experience in dog grooming.
- You can take an on-the-job training initially if you want to gain more experience. And once you do, you can start working as a dog groomer.
Things to Know Before You Become a Dog Groomer
How Many Hours Does Dog Groomer Work?
On average, dog groomers work for six hours, six days a week.
However, the timings depend upon whether you are working independently or under someone. You may work more or less as per your choice if you work independently.
What is the Starting Pay of Dog Groomer?
The starting pay of a Dog Groomer is $8.68 an hour or $18,055 a year. With more experience, groomers can make as much as $37.61 an hour or $78,236 a year.
Dog Groomer Training Programs
There are no official training programs accredited by governmental authorities as you do not need permission from a governmental authority to work as a dog groomer.
However, dog grooming schools will prepare you for the job and what the employers mostly look for when hiring a dog groomer.
Attending a dog grooming school is ideal if you want to become a dog groomer.
This gives you the ultimate opportunity to acquire extensive, hands-on training as well as a credential that is recognized in your field.
Most hands-on institutions also assist with job placement and have an established network of employers that hire their graduates.
Conclusion
To finish it off, being a dog groomer is a fun job because you get to spend a lot of time with dogs, treat them well and enjoy your time with them daily.
However, the pay is not really good or good enough to give you a good life, and it needs some skills, soft skills, in order for you to be successful in the job as it could be really demanding to deal with dogs all day.
FAQ
How much do dog groomers make when they first start off?
They start from the lowest salary possible if they are working on a salary basis, which means it is lower than the average salary.
How much do dog groomers make when they groom more than other dog groomers in the clinic?
If you are not working on a commission basis and you have a set salary, it does not matter if you groom one dog or ten as you will get a set salary without any additional commission.
How much do dog groomers make when they have their own clinic?
When you have your own clinic, you can not limit your earnings because the higher number of dogs you have, the higher income you will have.
Shefali Jain is a Content Writer & Editor at USWorkforce.org
After completing her graduation in hospitality, Shefali decided to follow her passion and started writing. Shefali has been writing for two years now and contributes to our website as a skilled editor and content writer with strong research skills. Writing product and service reviews, biographies, and book reviews are some of her key areas, among many others in which she specializes. In her time at the organization, she has written and edited content on a range of topics, including employment law, human resources, and business management.
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