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Dog groomer and animal caretaker: pay, job outlook and how to get started

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$35,360median pay per year, or $17.00 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $27,250lowest 10% earn less
  2. $29,82025th percentile
  3. $35,360median
  4. $40,05075th percentile
  5. $50,060top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

O*NET lists dog groomer as a job title within animal caretakers, and the median pay for this group was $35,360 a year in May 2025[1][2]. Employment is projected to grow 12.1% from 2025 to 2035[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+12.1%[3]
Openings per year
62,800[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[7]

How much do dog groomers and animal caretakers make?

BLS does not publish a separate figure for dog groomers. Dog groomer is one of the job titles workers report inside the official category Animal Caretakers[2]. The numbers below are for that whole category.

The median pay was $35,360 a year, or $17.00 an hour[1]. Half of the workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $37,300 a year, or $17.94 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[5], so animal caretakers earned less than that middle point.

BLS does not publish a starting salary[9]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $27,250 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $29,820[4][9].

Level Annual Hourly
10th percentile[4][10] $27,250 $13.10
25th percentile[4][10] $29,820 $14.34
Median[1] $35,360 $17.00
75th percentile[4][10] $40,050 $19.26
90th percentile[4][10] $50,060 $24.07

These wages cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include benefits[11]. This matters here, because 24.8% of animal caretakers were self-employed in 2025[12].

Pay by state and city

Among states with published data, the District of Columbia was listed first with a median of $44,210, followed by Washington at $40,570 and Hawaii at $40,130[13]. Massachusetts ($39,650) and California ($38,700) came next[13]. Mississippi was listed last at $26,970[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs[14], San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA was listed first at $44,070[14]. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA followed at $44,060, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $43,640[14].

The most jobs were in California (25,710), Texas (20,450) and Florida (17,210)[15]. Among metro areas, New York-Newark-Jersey City had the most jobs at 11,430, with a median of $37,900[16]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim followed with 9,000 jobs and a median of $38,520[16].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[13]$44,210460
Washington$40,5706,620
Hawaii$40,130570
Massachusetts$39,6506,900
California$38,70025,710
Arizona$38,1806,330
New York$37,84012,470
Colorado$37,4306,290
Connecticut$37,3103,000
Maine$37,2301,430
Rhode Island$37,1201,020
Maryland$36,7805,570
Alaska$36,640550
Oregon$36,5803,470
Minnesota$36,4304,250
Vermont$36,090430
New Jersey$35,8505,890
Illinois$35,57011,070
New Hampshire$34,7901,810
Utah$34,7502,350
Virginia$34,38010,070
Montana$34,2101,200
Florida$34,15017,210
North Dakota$34,040770
Delaware$33,9101,230
New Mexico$33,5701,710
Texas$32,73020,450
Idaho$32,1701,760
Nebraska$31,6802,100
Pennsylvania$31,3609,910
South Carolina$31,2804,090
Missouri$31,2305,820
North Carolina$30,8709,730
Kentucky$30,7206,140
Tennessee$30,5506,110
South Dakota$30,3901,110
Michigan$30,3206,290
Nevada$30,3202,470
Ohio$30,3109,350
Arkansas$30,2302,040
Wisconsin$30,1605,720
Iowa$30,0803,480
Indiana$29,9906,420
Georgia$29,8609,110
Kansas$29,8303,000
Wyoming$29,080460
Oklahoma$28,9403,170
West Virginia$28,5501,160
Alabama$28,3304,100
Louisiana$27,9102,660
Mississippi$26,9701,900

How to become a dog groomer or animal caretaker

The path is short. The details about training come from a BLS profile that covers animal caretakers together with related occupations, so they describe a wider group[17].

Certification is not required, but it can help workers show their skills. The profile gives certification for dog trainers as an example[23].

In an ONET survey of 36 workers, 64% said a high school diploma or equivalent was the education required[24]. Another 14% named an associate's degree, 13% a bachelor's degree and 10% less than high school[24]. ONET places this work in a group where some jobs need little or no previous experience and others need several months to a year[25].

What dog groomers and animal caretakers do

Animal caretakers look after animals kept as pets or in zoos and similar places, such as dogs, cats and ornamental fish[26]. O*NET lists these tasks, with the most important first[27]:

Grooming and bathing are named in the O*NET description of the job[26]. Dog groomer, pet groomer and dog bather are among the titles workers report[2].

Where they work

This section also draws on the wider BLS profile[17]. Many animal care workers are at kennels. Other workplaces include zoos, stables, shelters, pet shops, vet clinics and aquariums[28]. In 2025, other personal services was the largest employer group, at 40%[29].

Much of the work is physical, such as moving and cleaning cages, lifting food bags and exercising animals[30]. BLS lists animal caretakers among the occupations with the highest injury and illness rates. Bites, scratches and kicks can happen when animals are scared or aggressive[31]. Shelter work can also be upsetting, for example when workers see abused or sick animals[32].

Part-time work is common, and schedules can include evenings, weekends and holidays. Places that run around the clock, such as kennels, shelters and stables, may need care at all hours[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of animal caretakers to grow 12.1% from 2025 to 2035[3]. That is about 44,100 more jobs, from about 365,300 to 409,400[3]. For all occupations, the projected growth is 3.5%[34]. The projection counts include self-employed workers[3].

BLS expects about 62,800 openings a year on average[6]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 5.7% of workers leave the labor force and 9.4% move to a different occupation[35].

The May 2025 wage survey counted about 266,910 wage and salary jobs[36]. That figure leaves out the self-employed, while the projection counts include them[36][3].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with a low barrier to entry. It asks for a high school diploma or equivalent and short-term on-the-job training[7]. Pay is below the all-occupation median, with a median of $35,360 against $50,980[1][5]. Projected growth is well above the all-occupation rate[3][34]. The work is physical and carries a high injury rate[30][31]. Schedules can vary, and part-time work is common[33]. These facts cannot tell you what training will cost or how much a self-employed groomer earns.

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a dog groomer make an hour?
BLS publishes no separate figure for dog groomers. For the animal caretaker category, the median was $17.00 an hour and the average was $17.94 in May 2025[1][8][2].
What education do you need to be a dog groomer?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education for animal caretakers[7]. Groomers can learn from an experienced groomer or attend a grooming school[20][21].
How long does it take to become an animal caretaker?
BLS lists short-term on-the-job training and no related work experience[7]. The facts do not give a length for grooming school.
Is animal caretaking in demand?
BLS projects 12.1% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 62,800 openings a year[3][34][6].
What is the highest paying state for animal caretakers?
The District of Columbia was listed first at a median of $44,210[13]. Washington ($40,570) and Hawaii ($40,130) followed[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Animal Caretakers in the US was $35,360 per year and $17.00 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. O*NET 39-2021.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Animal Care Giver (ACG), Aquarist, Dog Bather, Dog Groomer, Groomer, Kennel Attendant, Kennel Technician (Kennel Tech), Pet Groomer. O*NET OnLine
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Animal Caretakers is projected to grow 12.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 365,300 to 409,400 jobs (a change of +44,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Animal Caretakers: 10th percentile $27,250, 25th percentile $29,820, 75th percentile $40,050, 90th percentile $50,060. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 62,800 openings for Animal Caretakers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Animal Caretakers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Animal Caretakers was $37,300 per year and $17.94 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Animal Caretakers: 10th percentile $13.10, 25th percentile $14.34, 75th percentile $19.26, 90th percentile $24.07. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS Employment Projections: 24.8% of Animal Caretakers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  13. Median annual wage for Animal Caretakers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Animal Caretakers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,070; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $44,060; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $43,640; Barnstable Town, MA $43,540; Burlington-South Burlington, VT $41,330; Amherst Town-Northampton, MA $39,870; Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $39,870; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $39,850. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Animal Caretakers jobs: California 25,710; Texas 20,450; Florida 17,210; New York 12,470; Illinois 11,070. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Animal Caretakers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 11,430 (median $37,900); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 9,000 (median $38,520); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 8,510 (median $36,110); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 6,590 (median $37,710); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 6,110 (median $34,310); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 6,010 (median $30,090). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Animal Care and Service Workers" covers Animal Caretakers together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET 39-2021.00 survey of workers (36 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 64%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 14%, Bachelor's Degree 13%, Less than a High School Diploma 10% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET 39-2021.00: Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET description of Animal Caretakers. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET task list for Animal Caretakers. O*NET OnLine
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of animal care and service workers in 2025: Other personal services 40%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Animal Caretakers: 5.7% of workers leave the labor force each year and 9.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 266,910 people were employed as Animal Caretakers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.