Also called: Dog Groomer, Certified Master Groomer
Bathes, brushes, trims and styles dogs and cats at grooming salons, pet stores or mobile vans, and also clips nails and cleans ears.
Grooms 6-8 dogs a day in a salon: de-matting a shaggy sheepdog, giving a schnauzer its classic cut, trimming nails, and cleaning ears. Creative groomers compete in national contests.
Estimate based on BLS animal caretakers (median about $32,000, May 2024). Tips add significantly.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 0 years after high school. Grooming school (a few months) or apprenticeship; certification optional.
Ways in: Trade school, Apprenticeship, Certification. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Pet Grooming (certificate).
Growing much faster than average (about 11% over 10 years). Much faster than average.
Low risk for 10 years. No machine can de-mat a sheepdog or style a schnauzer; booking and reminders get automated, the grooming doesn't.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply for bather or groomer-in-training jobs at PetSmart, Petco or a local salon; they train you
Classes: Art, Biology, Business, Vet-science CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 39-2021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.