Dog Groomer Salary by StateBLS figures for animal caretakers (includes groomers), all industries; BLS has no groomer-only figure
BLS OEWS May 2025 · Broader BLS occupation: SOC 39-2021 Animal Caretakers
BLS publishes no dog groomer-only wage.
Animal caretakers (includes groomers, SOC 39-2021), the occupation BLS counts dog groomers in, earned a national median $35,360 a year ($17.00 an hour) across all industries in May 2025.
The middle half of that group earned between $29,820 and $40,050.
In other personal services (NAICS 812900), the BLS industry that contains pet care services such as grooming, boarding and daycare, the median for animal caretakers was $35,190 a year ($16.92 an hour); 55% of the occupation's payroll jobs are in that industry.
BLS has no groomer-only code.
This is animal caretakers (39-2021), which includes groomers along with kennel, daycare and shelter staff, walkers and sitters, all industries.
It counts payroll employees only, so self-employed groomers are not in it.
The same BLS figure covers dog bathers, kennel attendants, dog daycare attendants, dog walkers, pet sitters, animal care attendants, so their salary pages show this number too, labelled the same way.
This page carries the full tables and the state pages for the group.
Annual figures are BLS hourly wages × 2,080 hours. OEWS covers wage-and-salary workers only and leaves out the self-employed, overtime pay and most bonuses. BLS publishes no dog groomer-only wage.
How pay spreads across animal caretakers
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,250 | $13.10 |
| 25th | $29,820 | $14.34 |
| 50th (median) | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| 75th | $40,050 | $19.26 |
| 90th | $50,060 | $24.07 |
| Mean (average) | $37,300 | $17.94 |
SOC 39-2021 Animal Caretakers: animal caretakers (includes groomers), not dog groomer pay alone, national, all industries: 266,910 wage-and-salary jobs, BLS OEWS May 2025.
What the figure means for dog groomers
O*NET's sample of reported job titles for animal caretakers includes Dog Groomer, Groomer, Pet Groomer and Pet Stylist, which is why BLS counts groomers in this occupation.
BLS says groomers may work in or operate a grooming salon, kennel, veterinary clinic, pet supply store or mobile grooming service.
In 2025, 25% of animal caretaker jobs were held by self-employed workers, who are not in the OEWS wage figures.
Some employers add a share of grooming sales to base pay: PetSmart's groomer postings say pay is the greater of the base hourly rate or "groom pay", a set percentage of the groomer's grooming sales.
BLS does not report that split, and this page shows no commission figure.
The Department of Labor recognized Pet Groomer as an apprenticeable occupation (O*NET-SOC 39-2021.00) on January 16, 2026.
Pay for animal caretakers by State
Median annual wage for SOC 39-2021 Animal Caretakers in each state, BLS OEWS May 2025, alphabetical: animal caretakers (includes groomers), not dog groomer pay alone.
BLS state figures cover every employer of the occupation in the state. "vs. U.S." compares the state median with the national median of $35,360; it is not adjusted for living costs.
| State | Median | Hourly | 10th–90th | Jobs | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $28,330 | $13.62 | $21,740–$45,860 | 4,100 | −20% |
| Alaska | $36,640 | $17.61 | $27,030–$58,400 | 550 | +4% |
| Arizona | $38,180 | $18.35 | $33,320–$68,090 | 6,330 | +8% |
| Arkansas | $30,230 | $14.54 | $27,290–$47,990 | 2,040 | −15% |
| California | $38,700 | $18.60 | $35,640–$56,270 | 25,710 | +9% |
| Colorado | $37,430 | $18.00 | $32,070–$55,300 | 6,290 | +6% |
| Connecticut | $37,310 | $17.94 | $35,150–$62,540 | 3,000 | +6% |
| Delaware | $33,910 | $16.30 | $31,200–$42,500 | 1,230 | −4% |
| District of Columbia | $44,210 | $21.25 | $37,840–$64,300 | 460 | +25% |
| Florida | $34,150 | $16.42 | $28,950–$50,140 | 17,210 | −3% |
| Georgia | $29,860 | $14.36 | $21,370–$47,260 | 9,110 | −16% |
| Hawaii | $40,130 | $19.29 | $31,100–$66,200 | 570 | +13% |
| Idaho | $32,170 | $15.47 | $22,000–$46,990 | 1,760 | −9% |
| Illinois | $35,570 | $17.10 | $31,200–$50,160 | 11,070 | +1% |
| Indiana | $29,990 | $14.42 | $22,440–$43,270 | 6,420 | −15% |
| Iowa | $30,080 | $14.46 | $22,450–$45,610 | 3,480 | −15% |
| Kansas | $29,830 | $14.34 | $21,720–$49,450 | 3,000 | −16% |
| Kentucky | $30,720 | $14.77 | $22,600–$47,290 | 6,140 | −13% |
| Louisiana | $27,910 | $13.42 | $21,600–$40,000 | 2,660 | −21% |
| Maine | $37,230 | $17.90 | $31,360–$48,530 | 1,430 | +5% |
| Maryland | $36,780 | $17.68 | $31,500–$56,730 | 5,570 | +4% |
| Massachusetts | $39,650 | $19.06 | $32,910–$64,060 | 6,900 | +12% |
| Michigan | $30,320 | $14.58 | $27,770–$45,480 | 6,290 | −14% |
| Minnesota | $36,430 | $17.51 | $29,440–$48,050 | 4,250 | +3% |
| Mississippi | $26,970 | $12.97 | $21,160–$36,970 | 1,900 | −24% |
| Missouri | $31,230 | $15.02 | $28,600–$44,930 | 5,820 | −12% |
| Montana | $34,210 | $16.45 | $26,170–$49,080 | 1,200 | −3% |
| Nebraska | $31,680 | $15.23 | $28,080–$52,010 | 2,100 | −10% |
| Nevada | $30,320 | $14.58 | $27,280–$51,040 | 2,470 | −14% |
| New Hampshire | $34,790 | $16.73 | $27,830–$51,040 | 1,810 | −2% |
| New Jersey | $35,850 | $17.24 | $32,220–$49,620 | 5,890 | +1% |
| New Mexico | $33,570 | $16.14 | $27,980–$44,020 | 1,710 | −5% |
| New York | $37,840 | $18.19 | $33,800–$48,740 | 12,470 | +7% |
| North Carolina | $30,870 | $14.84 | $23,210–$46,120 | 9,730 | −13% |
| North Dakota | $34,040 | $16.37 | $29,960–$62,170 | 770 | −4% |
| Ohio | $30,310 | $14.57 | $24,130–$49,450 | 9,350 | −14% |
| Oklahoma | $28,940 | $13.92 | $21,320–$43,880 | 3,170 | −18% |
| Oregon | $36,580 | $17.59 | $33,510–$54,510 | 3,470 | +3% |
| Pennsylvania | $31,360 | $15.08 | $23,430–$47,960 | 9,910 | −11% |
| Rhode Island | $37,120 | $17.85 | $31,510–$63,120 | 1,020 | +5% |
| South Carolina | $31,280 | $15.04 | $22,880–$46,160 | 4,090 | −12% |
| South Dakota | $30,390 | $14.61 | $27,260–$44,960 | 1,110 | −14% |
| Tennessee | $30,550 | $14.69 | $23,980–$47,020 | 6,110 | −14% |
| Texas | $32,730 | $15.74 | $23,260–$49,660 | 20,450 | −7% |
| Utah | $34,750 | $16.71 | $26,310–$56,730 | 2,350 | −2% |
| Vermont | $36,090 | $17.35 | $31,990–$47,360 | 430 | +2% |
| Virginia | $34,380 | $16.53 | $28,050–$46,180 | 10,070 | −3% |
| Washington | $40,570 | $19.51 | $36,100–$64,580 | 6,620 | +15% |
| West Virginia | $28,550 | $13.73 | $22,050–$44,810 | 1,160 | −19% |
| Wisconsin | $30,160 | $14.50 | $23,920–$47,700 | 5,720 | −15% |
| Wyoming | $29,080 | $13.98 | $21,330–$50,290 | 460 | −18% |
Pay by employer
National figures for animal caretakers (includes groomers, SOC 39-2021): every employer, then other personal services, veterinary services and other miscellaneous retailers, BLS OEWS May 2025.
BLS publishes no figure for dog groomers alone; these rows are for the whole occupation, the broader occupation that includes this role.
BLS publishes no wage figures for pet care services (NAICS 812910) or pet and pet supplies stores (459910) on their own, so no salon-only or pet-store-only figure exists.
Other personal services (812900) contains pet care services such as grooming, boarding and daycare, but also unrelated businesses such as parking lots and photofinishing.
Other miscellaneous retailers (459900) includes pet stores along with other retailers.
BLS industry estimates are national only.
| Employer | Median | Mean | Hourly median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All industries (every employer) | $35,360 | $37,300 | $17.00 | 266,910 |
| Other personal services (NAICS 812900, includes pet care services) | $35,190 | $36,600 | $16.92 | 146,190 |
| Veterinary services (NAICS 541940) | $32,150 | $33,610 | $15.46 | 33,720 |
| Other miscellaneous retailers (NAICS 459900, includes pet stores) | $35,280 | $39,270 | $16.96 | 32,480 |
Job outlook for animal caretakers
BLS projects employment of animal caretakers (includes groomers) to grow 12.1%, from about 365,300 in 2025 to 409,400 in 2035, with about 62,800 openings a year (BLS Employment Projections 2025–35).
BLS projects no separate figure for dog groomers.
The projection counts every employer and includes the self-employed (24.8% of 2025 employment).
OEWS wage data count payroll jobs only (266,910 in May 2025), so the two job counts are different measures and are not directly comparable.
Pay by pet care role
BLS publishes wages by occupation, not job title.
Dog trainers have a BLS occupation of their own, animal trainers (39-2011), which also covers horse and other animal trainers.
Groomers, bathers, kennel and daycare attendants, shelter attendants, pet sitters and dog walkers are all counted as animal caretakers (39-2021), so their rows show the same figure, labelled.
For dog walkers it is only the closest available figure, because most walkers are self-employed and not counted.
| Role | Median, all industries | Median, other personal services (includes pet care) | What the number is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog Groomer | $35,360 | $35,190 | Broader BLS occupation: animal caretakers (includes groomers), SOC 39-2021 |
| Dog Bather | $35,360 | $35,190 | Broader BLS occupation: animal caretakers (includes groomers), SOC 39-2021 |
| Kennel Attendant | $35,360 | $35,190 | Broader BLS occupation: animal caretakers (includes groomers), SOC 39-2021 |
| Dog Daycare Attendant | $35,360 | $35,190 | Broader BLS occupation: animal caretakers (includes groomers), SOC 39-2021 |
| Dog Trainer | $39,990 | $39,990 | BLS occupation: animal trainers (includes dog trainers), SOC 39-2011 |
| Dog Walker | $35,360 | $35,190 | Closest available occupation: animal caretakers (includes groomers), SOC 39-2021 |
| Pet Sitter | $35,360 | $35,190 | Broader BLS occupation: animal caretakers (includes groomers), SOC 39-2021 |
| Animal Care Attendant | $35,360 | $35,190 | Broader BLS occupation: animal caretakers (includes groomers), SOC 39-2021 |
Dog Groomer salary questions
01How much do dog groomers make a year?
BLS publishes no dog groomer-only wage.
The national median annual wage for animal caretakers (includes groomers, SOC 39-2021), the occupation BLS counts dog groomers in, across all industries was $35,360 in May 2025 (BLS OEWS).
The 10th percentile was $27,250 and the 90th percentile $50,060.
02How much do dog groomers make an hour?
The national median hourly wage for animal caretakers (includes groomers) was $17.00 in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $13.10 and the 90th at $24.07.
BLS converts between hourly and annual figures at 2,080 hours a year, so these are the same figures per hour, before overtime.
03Which state pays dog groomers the most?
For animal caretakers (includes groomers), counting every employer in the state, the District of Columbia had the highest median in May 2025 at $44,210.
Mississippi had the lowest at $26,970.
These are not adjusted for living costs; the state table above lists every state BLS published.
04What is the average dog groomer salary?
The mean (average) annual wage for animal caretakers (includes groomers) across all industries was $37,300 in May 2025, against a $35,360 median.
The median is the better guide to a typical salary, because a smaller number of high earners pull the average up.
05What do pet care businesses, vet clinics and pet stores pay dog groomers?
BLS publishes no figure for pet care businesses alone.
In other personal services (NAICS 812900), the industry that contains pet care services, the median for animal caretakers (includes groomers) was $35,190 in May 2025, against $35,360 across all industries.
In veterinary services (541940) it was $32,150.
In other miscellaneous retailers (459900), which includes pet stores, it was $35,280.
06Is demand for dog groomers growing?
BLS projects employment of animal caretakers (includes groomers) to grow 12.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 365,300 to 409,400 jobs, with about 62,800 openings a year (BLS Employment Projections 2025–35).
Those projection counts include the self-employed (24.8% of 2025 employment), while OEWS wage data count payroll jobs only (266,910), so the two job counts are not the same measure.
07Does BLS publish a dog groomer salary?
No. BLS has no groomer-only occupation.
It counts groomers as animal caretakers (SOC 39-2021), together with bathers, kennel and daycare attendants, shelter attendants, pet sitters and dog walkers, so every figure on this page covers that whole group.
08Do these figures include self-employed groomers?
No. BLS OEWS wage data count payroll employees only, so self-employed groomers, including owner-operators of mobile vans and salons, are not in these pay figures.
BLS Employment Projections put the self-employed share at 24.8% of 2025 employment.
More on dog groomer pay
All salary pages: pet care salaries by role.