How Much Do Dog Groomers Make? Pay by Role (Employee, Commission, Mobile, Salon Owner) and How to Earn More
How much dog groomers and pet groomers earn
In this article
Dog groomer income varies widely with location, experience, pay structure and business model. Employed groomers are often paid hourly or on commission (commonly a percentage of grooming fees) plus tips; experienced groomers with loyal clients, mobile groomers and salon owners can earn considerably more than entry-level bathers.
Pay structures
| Structure | How it works |
|---|---|
| Hourly | Fixed wage, common for bathers and beginners |
| Commission | Percentage of each groom (often substantial share) |
| Hourly + commission | Base plus incentive |
| Booth/chair rent | Pay salon rent, keep your fees |
| Self-employed/mobile | Keep revenue minus costs |
| Salon owner | Profit from team and services |
Factors affecting income
- Location and local pricing
- Experience and speed (dogs per day)
- Specialisation (doodles, show cuts, cats)
- Client retention and rebooking
- Tips
- Business model (employee vs owner)
How much does dog grooming cost customers?
Prices depend on size, breed, coat condition and service (bath, full groom, de-matting, add-ons) and location. Mobile grooming usually costs more for convenience.
How groomers earn more
- Build speed and quality
- Rebook every client at checkout
- Specialise in high-demand breeds
- Add services (teeth brushing, de-shedding, spa treatments)
- Go mobile or open a salon (see How to start a dog grooming business)
- Online booking and reminders to reduce no-shows (see How to make a booking website)
- Collect reviews and referrals
(Getting started: How to become a dog groomer.)
Frequently asked questions
How much do dog groomers make?
It varies by location, experience and pay model; experienced commission-based, mobile and self-employed groomers often earn more than entry-level hourly staff.
Do dog groomers get tips?
Yes, tips are common and can add meaningfully to income.
Do mobile groomers make more money?
Often they charge higher prices, but have van, fuel and equipment costs.
How much do pet groomers make per dog?
Commission groomers earn a percentage of each groom price; self-employed groomers keep the fee minus costs.
How much does dog grooming cost?
It depends on size, breed, coat condition, services and location.
How can a dog groomer increase income?
Rebook clients, specialise, add services, raise prices with demand and consider owning a business.
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Start a conversationWritten by Sachin Rawat
AI & automation engineer · websites, apps and motion design
I build AI agents, automations, websites, apps and motion design for businesses. These guides answer the questions people actually search, written from hands-on experience building them.
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