Dog Groomer Pay: How Much Do Professional Groomers Really Earn?

When you think of a dog groomer, a trained professional who cleans, trims, and styles dogs for health and appearance. Also known as a pet groomer, it's more than just a bath and brush—it’s a skilled job that requires patience, physical stamina, and animal handling expertise. But how much do they actually make? It’s not just about the $70 haircut you pay. The dog groomer pay you see on a receipt is just the tip of the iceberg. Behind that number is hours of work, equipment costs, and often, no benefits. Many groomers work freelance, in shops, or on apps like Rover and Wag, and their income varies wildly depending on where they are, how many dogs they can handle, and whether clients tip.

Let’s talk about what really drives the pay. A professional dog groomer, someone who earns income by grooming dogs as their main job in a busy urban area might groom 8 to 10 dogs a day. But each session can take 2 to 4 hours, especially with long-haired breeds or anxious pets. That means even if they charge $70 per dog, they’re not making $700 a day—after accounting for supplies, rent, and downtime. In contrast, a groomer working from home or in a small town might only do 3 or 4 dogs a day but keep most of the earnings. Then there’s the dog grooming salary, the annual income earned by full-time groomers. Most fall between $25,000 and $45,000, but top earners with loyal clients and strong reputations can hit $60,000 or more. Tips help, but they’re not guaranteed. A $15 tip on a $70 job is nice, but not every client leaves one.

And it’s not just about the money. The job is physically tough—standing all day, lifting dogs, dealing with matted fur and biting nerves. Burnout is common. That’s why many groomers also offer add-ons: teeth brushing, de-shedding treatments, or even basic training. These bump up the price and the value. Some groomers even run their own businesses, buying their own equipment, setting their own hours, and hiring assistants. That’s where the real income potential kicks in. But it also means they’re responsible for taxes, insurance, and marketing.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real stories and numbers from people who do this job every day. You’ll see how many dogs a groomer can realistically handle in a day, what a fair tip looks like for a $55 or $70 service, and how apps like Rover and Wag compare when it comes to pay and flexibility. You’ll also learn why some groomers charge more, and what factors actually make a difference in their earnings. No fluff. Just facts from the grooming floor.