Introduction
Dog groomers are professionals who provide grooming and hygiene services for dogs. Their main role is to maintain dogs’ physical health and appearance by bathing, brushing, clipping nails, cleaning ears, trimming fur, and styling dogs’ hair. Dog grooming is an essential part of keeping dogs clean and preventing health issues like skin conditions or parasites. Professional dog groomers require specialized skills, knowledge of dog behavior, and the proper tools and techniques to safely work with the various breeds of dogs.
Average Hourly Wages
According to data from ZipRecruiter, the average hourly pay for a dog groomer in the United States as of December 2023 is $22.91 per hour (https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/DOG-Groomer-Salary-per-Hour). While ZipRecruiter has seen hourly wages for this role as high as $34.62 per hour, the typical national hourly rate falls between $9.86 and $34.62 (https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/DOG-Groomer-Salary).
According to data from Salary.com, the median hourly wage for a dog groomer across the United States is $18 per hour as of November 2023. The typical hourly salary range for this role falls between $15 and $22 nationally (https://www.salary.com/research/salary/alternate/dog-groomer-hourly-wages).
Salary Range
According to ZipRecruiter, the average hourly pay for a dog groomer in the US as of December 2023 is $22.91[1]. However, there is a wide range in hourly wages depending on factors like location and experience level.
Entry level dog groomers can expect to earn $9.86 – $15 per hour starting out[2]. Those with 1-4 years of experience tend to make $15 – $22 per hour. Mid-career dog groomers with 5-9 years under their belt earn $18 – $28 per hour on average.
The most experienced dog groomers with 10 or more years in the industry command the highest hourly rates of $25 – $35 per hour[3]. According to Indeed data, the top 10% of earners make $34.62 or more per hour.
Factors Affecting Pay
There are several key factors that impact how much a dog groomer gets paid per hour:
Experience Level
According to https://petgroomer.com/groomer-wages/, beginner dog groomers often start around $10 per hour, while more experienced groomers can make $25-30 per hour or more. The more skills, training, and experience a groomer has, the higher their earning potential.
Location
A dog groomer’s hourly pay can vary significantly based on where they work. Higher-cost metro areas like Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco tend to have higher wages for groomers compared to rural areas or smaller cities, based on cost of living.
Full Time vs Part Time
Full time dog groomers who work 40 hours per week or more will naturally make more money overall compared to part time groomers. However, hourly pay rates are often similar for full and part time positions.
Type of Employer
The type of establishment a dog groomer works for can impact pay as well. Large pet stores may offer lower hourly wages but more job security, while independent grooming salons often pay commission resulting in higher potential earnings.
Metro Area Variation
Dog groomer pay can vary significantly depending on the metropolitan area. According to ZipRecruiter data, here are the top 5 highest paying metro areas for dog groomers in the United States as of 2023:
1. Denver, CO – Average Hourly Pay: $29.49 (Source)
2. Houston, TX – Average Hourly Pay: $26.73 (Source)
3. Los Angeles, CA – Average Hourly Pay: $26.36 (Source)
4. New York, NY – Average Hourly Pay: $25.94 (Source)
5. San Francisco, CA – Average Hourly Pay: $25.60 (Source)
Dog groomers in major metropolitan areas, especially those with a high cost of living, tend to earn higher wages compared to less populated areas of the country.
Benefits
Most professional dog groomers receive standard benefits from their employers or businesses, similar to other service industry jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 66% of animal care workers have access to medical insurance through their job, though the coverage may vary. Additionally, 54% are offered paid time off or vacation days, and 45% receive retirement benefits such as a 401(k) plan.
The specific benefits available can differ based on factors like whether you work for a larger grooming company or chain vs. a small local business, your employment status (full time, part time, contractor), and years of experience. But in general, common benefits include:
- Health insurance
- Dental and vision plans
- Retirement savings plans
- Paid vacation and sick days
- Pet care discounts
- Professional development and continuing education
While the average pay for dog groomers is relatively low, the availability of benefits can enhance the overall compensation package. For those considering a long-term career, access to insurance, time off, and retirement savings is an important factor when evaluating job opportunities.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for dog groomers is strong. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of animal care and service workers, including dog groomers, is projected to grow 22 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. This is due to the increasing number of households that own pets as well as high turnover in grooming positions.
There is strong demand for professional groomers, especially those with formal training, as grooming is increasingly considered a specialty skill. The rise of mobile grooming services and niche pet stores has also created new job opportunities for qualified groomers. Overall, the job outlook is very favorable for groomers due to rising pet ownership and the need for properly trained grooming professionals.
Career Advancement
There are several opportunities for dog groomers to advance their careers and increase their earnings potential over time. Some common career advancement paths include:
Becoming a salon manager – Experienced groomers may take on additional responsibilities managing all operations of a grooming salon, including hiring and training staff, scheduling appointments, purchasing supplies, and marketing services. Salon managers typically earn a higher salary than staff groomers.
Opening a private grooming business – Many groomers open their own dog grooming shops or mobile grooming businesses after gaining experience working for an established salon. Operating their own business allows groomers to set their own prices and schedules.
Becoming a grooming instructor – Seasoned groomers may have opportunities to work as instructors for grooming schools, teaching classes on grooming techniques and best practices. Instructors can make $25-$35 per hour or more.
Pursuing vet assistant or other animal care roles – Some groomers leverage their skills to transition into higher-paying roles as veterinary technicians or assistants. This requires some additional education and training.
With dedication and strong skills, dog groomers have many potential avenues to increase their pay and take on new challenges during their careers. Key opportunities include managing a salon, owning a business, teaching, and exploring vet medicine.
Pros and Cons
Being a dog groomer has many advantages, but there are also some challenges and drawbacks to the career.
On the positive side, groomers get to work hands-on with dogs every day, which many find rewarding. There is also a lot of variety, as no two dogs are the same. Groomers enjoy learning new techniques and being creative in their work. Additionally, experienced groomers can earn a good living, with the top 10% making over $37,000 annually according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics [1].
However, grooming can be physically demanding, requiring standing for long periods and repetitively using scissors and clippers. Groomers risk bites or scratches from scared or difficult pets. The work also involves dealing with barking dogs, fur allergies, and picking up after animals. There is some risk of wrist, hand, and back injuries over time. Work hours may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays to accommodate pet owner schedules.
Overall, dog grooming is rewarding for animal lovers, but requires physical stamina, patience, and an acceptance of the messier aspects of working with pets. Weighing the advantages and disadvantages can help determine if this is the right career path for an individual.
Conclusion
In summary, dog groomers can earn a competitive hourly wage ranging from around $10 to over $20 per hour on average, depending on factors like location, experience, skill level, and the type of employer. While the wages may start lower for entry-level positions, dog groomers have excellent opportunities to advance in their careers and increase their earning potential over time through experience, specialized skills, and business ownership. The job outlook also appears strong for the profession. Overall, dog grooming can be a rewarding career choice for animal lovers seeking decent pay with flexible scheduling options. Just be sure to develop expert-level skills and knowledge to maximize your hourly pay rate and career success.