Some people choose the route of becoming a dog groomer, and one common question is – how much do dog groomers make? Pet grooming is becoming a very prominent side hustle, and many of these hustlers are taking to dog grooming. One of the biggest reasons behind the growth of this industry is the opportunity to spend time with animals. A dog grooming career could be perfect for you if you cherish an immense passion for animals.
Although happiness and peace matter a lot in job satisfaction, they don’t clear the bills. Suppose you’re on the fence regarding changing your career and heading over to the pet grooming industry. In that case, it is vital to familiarize yourself with the potential income of dog groomers in the United States. In this article, you’ll be able to get enough information about dog grooming careers to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
Before scrolling down this article “How Much Do Dog Groomers Make,” you can check out our other dog grooming-related guides: How Long Does Dog Grooming Take and Dog Grooming Advice.
How Much Do Dog Groomers Make?
According to recent statistics, the average salary of a dog groomer in the United States is $29,848 per year. However, this can’t be viewed as the ultimate benchmark because there are many factors that this depends on. At the same time, some make more than this average and others less. New groomers roughly make around $17,000, and experienced groomers make close to $50,000 per year.
Do note that these figures refer to the average salary where tips and bonuses are not included. However, it’s been observed that tips make up a substantial amount of a dog groomer’s income. Statistics indicate, experienced groomers easily make an extra $4.26 per hour, which rounds up to $8,860.08 per year, in tips alone. Of course, this is assuming they are working for 40 hours every week.
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Average Dog Groomers Salaries
If you’re considering becoming a dog groomer, you’ll need to make few critical decisions at the beginning of your career. It could be deciding if you want to work in an animal shelter or a pet store. Many people are inclined to open their salons, and few others want to do it freelance without a fixed schedule.
Hence a choice of lifestyle is a massive determinant in a dog groomer’s salary. Another factor is experience. While a fresher dog groomer’s salary might be significantly lower, once you gain sufficient experience, you’ll find a lot of well-paying employment opportunities. Now, let’s look at the average wages in the dog grooming industry based on employment modes and experience.
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1. Retail Dog Groomer
In an entry-level position, a retail dog groomer makes an average of about $10 per hour. With experience, a groomer can make around $14 per hour in a retail setting. A retail dog groomer works at places like dog boarding facilities, local pet stores, or any big pet store that provides grooming services. By working at these places, you can be assured of a constant stream of clients who regularly need their dogs and pets groomed. It also means that you will have a secure job and a steady source of income. As you gain experience, you will be able to earn a higher salary.
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2. Freelance Dog Groomer
Industry averages suggest that freelancer dog groomers are likely to earn close to the national average of around $28,000 per year. A freelancer can charge according to their will, and hence they have an added advantage of leveraging their local market. They can set prices according to their local income levels and charge more depending on the location.
For example, a groomer in a large city like New York has the advantage of earning a high income. But they will face more competition than those working in rural areas like a farming community in Ohio. Hence it’s clear that the location makes a difference in the demand and the earnings of dog groomers.
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Conclusion For “How Much Do Dog Groomers Make”
Do keep in mind that you’ll need to find clients on your own initially for your new business as a freelance dog groomer. However, once you gain a reputation as a dog groomer, you can start earning new work from previous clients’ referrals. And with the help of those clients and other contacts, you can take your business to new unseen heights.
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Andy is a full-time animal rescuer and owner of a toy doodle. When he’s not saving dogs, Andy is one of our core writers and editors. He has been writing about dogs for over a decade. Andy joined our team because he believes that words are powerful tools that can change a dog’s life for the better.
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