How Much Do Dog Groomers Make? Salary Guide for 2026
Dog groomers in the United States earn between $39,000 and $55,000 per year on average in 2026, with top earners making $65,000 or more. Self-employed groomers who set their own rates and manage their own bookings typically earn more than salaried employees. Here is a detailed breakdown by state, experience level, and business model.
Average Groomer Salary in 2026
Based on data from ZipRecruiter, Salary.com, Glassdoor, and PayScale:
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (0-2 years) | $25,000 - $35,000 | $13 - $17/hr |
| Mid-career (3-5 years) | $35,000 - $45,000 | $17 - $22/hr |
| Experienced (5-8 years) | $42,000 - $55,000 | $20 - $26/hr |
| Senior/specialist (8+ years) | $50,000 - $65,000+ | $24 - $32/hr |
These figures reflect salaried and commission-based employee groomers. Self-employed groomers often earn significantly more, as detailed below.
Groomer Salary by State (Top 10 Highest-Paying)
Location has a major impact on groomer earnings. Here are the states where groomers earn the most, based on aggregated salary data:
| State | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | vs National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $48,000 - $62,000 | $23 - $30 | +20-25% |
| New York | $46,000 - $60,000 | $22 - $29 | +18-22% |
| Massachusetts | $45,000 - $58,000 | $22 - $28 | +15-20% |
| Washington | $44,000 - $57,000 | $21 - $27 | +13-18% |
| New Jersey | $43,000 - $56,000 | $21 - $27 | +12-16% |
| Connecticut | $43,000 - $55,000 | $21 - $26 | +10-15% |
| Colorado | $42,000 - $54,000 | $20 - $26 | +8-12% |
| Oregon | $41,000 - $53,000 | $20 - $25 | +7-10% |
| Illinois | $40,000 - $52,000 | $19 - $25 | +5-8% |
| Virginia | $39,000 - $51,000 | $19 - $24 | +3-6% |
Note: Higher salaries in these states often correspond to higher cost of living. A groomer earning $48,000 in California may have a comparable lifestyle to one earning $38,000 in a lower-cost state. Consider net purchasing power, not just gross salary.
Employed vs Self-Employed: Where the Money Really Is
The salary data above mostly reflects employed groomers. Self-employed groomers have a very different income picture.
Commission Model (Working for a Salon)
Most salon groomers earn 40-60% commission on each groom. Here is the math:
| Metric | 40% Commission | 50% Commission | 60% Commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dogs per day | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Average groom price | $75 | $75 | $75 |
| Daily gross | $375 | $375 | $375 |
| Your daily take-home | $150 | $187.50 | $225 |
| Annual (250 days) | $37,500 | $46,875 | $56,250 |
The salon provides the space, equipment, and often the client acquisition. You provide the skill and labor. This is a reasonable trade when starting out, but limits your earning potential long-term.
Independent Model (Running Your Own Business)
Independent groomers keep 100% of revenue after expenses. Same 5 dogs per day at $75:
| Income/Expense | Home-Based | Renting a Chair | Own Salon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross revenue (5 dogs/day, 250 days) | $93,750 | $93,750 | $93,750 |
| Rent/space | $0-2,400/yr | $6,000-12,000/yr | $12,000-36,000/yr |
| Supplies | $3,000-5,000/yr | $3,000-5,000/yr | $4,000-7,000/yr |
| Software (GroomBoard) | $228/yr | $228/yr | $468/yr |
| Insurance | $300-500/yr | $300-500/yr | $500-1,500/yr |
| Other (utilities, marketing, etc.) | $1,000-3,000/yr | $500-1,500/yr | $3,000-8,000/yr |
| Estimated net income | $83,000-89,000 | $74,000-84,000 | $42,000-74,000 |
That is significantly more than the commission model at every level, which is why more groomers are going independent every year. A home-based independent groomer doing the same volume as a salon employee can earn $25,000-50,000 more per year.
Career Path Progression
Here is a typical career trajectory for dog groomers, with realistic income expectations at each stage:
Stage 1: Apprentice / Bather (Year 1)
Income: $20,000-30,000/year
You start by learning the basics — bathing, brushing, drying, nail trimming. Many groomers begin as bathers at a salon and learn grooming skills on the job. Pay is usually hourly ($12-15/hr) or a small commission.
Stage 2: Junior Groomer (Years 1-3)
Income: $28,000-40,000/year
You are grooming independently but still building speed and breed knowledge. Commission rates are typically 40-50%. You can groom 3-4 dogs per day.
Stage 3: Experienced Employee Groomer (Years 3-7)
Income: $38,000-55,000/year
You are fast, skilled, and in demand. Commission rates reach 50-60%. You groom 5-6 dogs per day and may have a following of clients who request you specifically. This is where many groomers start thinking about going independent.
Stage 4: Independent Groomer (Years 3+)
Income: $55,000-95,000/year
You set your own rates, keep your own revenue, and control your schedule. The income jump from employee to independent is the single biggest earning lever in the grooming industry. Read our guide to starting a grooming business for the full roadmap.
Stage 5: Salon Owner / Team Leader (Years 5+)
Income: $80,000-150,000+/year
You hire 1-4 additional groomers and earn revenue from their work in addition to your own grooming. This requires management skills and higher overhead but dramatically increases income potential. Not every groomer wants this path — many prefer the simplicity and quality of life of solo grooming.
5 Strategies to Increase Your Income as a Groomer
- Go independent — Keep 100% of your revenue instead of 40-60% commission. Even accounting for expenses, most independent groomers earn 30-50% more than employees doing the same volume. The transition is easier than most groomers think — read our startup guide.
- Raise your prices — If you are fully booked more than a week out, your prices are too low. Raise by $5-10 per service and see if demand changes. Most groomers find clients accept increases without complaint. Check our pricing guide and pricing calculator for market rates in your area.
- Reduce no-shows — Every no-show is a complete loss of that time slot's revenue. Automated SMS reminders cut no-show rates significantly. At $75 per groom, preventing just 2 no-shows per week saves $7,800/year. Calculate your losses to see the impact on your specific business.
- Add premium services — Teeth brushing ($10-15 add-on), nail painting ($15-25), de-shedding packages ($20-40 premium), blueberry facials ($10-15), and spa add-ons increase your average ticket by $15-30 without adding much time. If you add $20 to half your grooms, that is $12,500+/year in extra revenue.
- Streamline scheduling — Online booking reduces gaps between appointments. A visual calendar prevents double-booking and lets you see your entire week at a glance. Even saving 30 minutes per day in scheduling efficiency adds up to 125+ hours per year — time you could spend grooming and earning. Use our Profit Audit tool to find where you are leaving money on the table.
Factors That Affect Groomer Income
- Location — Northeast and West Coast groomers earn 15-30% more, but cost of living is higher
- Experience — Specializations like hand-stripping, creative grooming, and show grooming command premium rates
- Business model — Commission vs independent vs mobile (mobile groomers can charge 10-20% premiums for convenience). See our mobile grooming guide.
- Efficiency — Groomers who use booking software to minimize gaps and reduce no-shows earn more per hour
- Pricing — Many groomers undercharge. Our Pricing Calculator shows what groomers in your area actually charge.
- Client retention — Repeat clients mean consistent revenue. SMS reminders, quality work, and a professional booking experience keep clients coming back.
If you are thinking about going independent, read our complete guide to starting a dog grooming business. For software comparisons, see the best affordable grooming software or our Gingr vs MoeGo vs GroomBoard comparison.