How Much Do Dog Groomers Make? Salary Guide 2026

The honest answer to “how much do dog groomers make” depends almost entirely on how you work: employed at a chain, on commission at an independent salon, running a mobile rig, or owning your own salon.

Some groomers clear $35,000 a year. Others clear $150,000+.

This guide walks through real 2026 income ranges across every model — and more importantly, the operational levers that separate low earners from high earners.

The Short Answer

In 2026, dog groomers in the U.S. make roughly:

• Hourly employee (chain or salon): $14–$22/hour or $28,000–$45,000/year
• Commission groomer: $45,000–$80,000/year
• Mobile groomer (employee): $50,000–$85,000/year
• Independent mobile groomer (own van): $70,000–$130,000+ before van costs
• Solo salon owner: $80,000–$150,000/year net
• Multi-groomer salon owner: $100,000–$300,000+/year

These ranges come from blended industry data (BLS, APPA, grooming industry reports) and groomer-reported earnings.

Income by Model: A Closer Look

Hourly Employee at a Chain or Big Box

Working at a Petco or PetSmart typically pays $14–$22/hour.

Realistic annual income:

• $28,000–$45,000/year full-time including tips

Pros:

• Stable paycheck
• Benefits
• No client acquisition

Cons:

• Low ceiling
• Back-to-back scheduling pressure
• Limited pricing control

Commission Groomer at an Independent Salon

Most salons pay 50–60% commission.

Example:

• 6 dogs/day × $85 average = $510/day
• At 55% commission = $280/day
• Annualized = ~$58,000–$80,000/year

Tips can add $5,000–$15,000/year depending on client relationships.

Mobile Groomer (Employee)

Mobile companies typically pay 45–55% commission with higher ticket prices ($110–$160).

Annual range:

• $50,000–$85,000/year

Higher pay offsets travel time and route demands.

Independent Mobile Groomer (Own Van)

This is one of the highest earning models in grooming.

Example math:

• 5 dogs/day × $150 average × 4 days/week × 48 weeks
• Gross: ~$144,000/year
• Expenses (fuel, maintenance, insurance): $15,000–$25,000
• Net: $110,000–$130,000

Startup cost is the tradeoff ($30K–$80K van build), but ROI is strong with a full route.

Solo Salon Owner

Solo salon owners typically generate:

• Gross revenue: $130,000–$200,000
• Net income: $80,000–$150,000

Example:

• 6 dogs/day × $95 × 5 days/week × 48 weeks = ~$136,800 gross

Expenses:

• Rent: $1,500–$3,000/month
• Supplies: $300–$500/month
• Software + insurance + misc overhead

This model scales well with efficiency improvements and pricing discipline.

For a deeper breakdown of setup costs and structure, see:
How to Start a Dog Grooming Business

Multi-Groomer Salon Owner

With 2–4 groomers, owners shift from grooming to management.

Typical owner income:

• $100,000–$300,000+/year

This depends heavily on:

• Staff retention
• Pricing structure
• Appointment flow
• No-show control

The Levers That Move Your Income

1. Average Ticket

A $10 increase per groom across 1,000 grooms/year = $10,000 extra revenue.

Most groomers undercharge by 15–25%.

2. Rebook Rate

A 6-week client cycle = ~8.5 grooms/year
A “whenever” client = 3–4 grooms/year

Rebooking alone can double lifetime client value.

3. No-Show Rate

No-shows quietly destroy income.

A typical 6% no-show rate can cost:

• $5,000–$8,000/year for a solo groomer

Here’s a full breakdown of how to fix it:
How to Handle Grooming No-Shows Effectively

4. Add-On Conversion

Add-ons like teeth cleaning, de-shed, and paw treatments add:

• $10–$30 per appointment

High performers convert 40–60% of clients
Low performers convert under 15%

5. Operational Efficiency

Software directly impacts earnings by reducing:

• No-shows
• Missed bookings
• Admin time
• Slow communication

Platforms like Teddy, MoeGo, DaySmart Pet, and Gingr improve efficiency. Teddy is especially strong for groomers who rely heavily on texting since it includes unlimited two-way SMS.

How Long It Takes to Hit Full Income

Typical progression:

• Year 1: $25,000–$50,000 (building speed + client base)
• Year 2: $45,000–$75,000 (fuller schedule, better pricing)
• Year 3+: $60,000–$130,000+ (optimized book + retention)

Speed, pricing, and rebooking consistency determine how fast you move up.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do dog groomers make per dog?

• Commission groomer (55%): ~$45–$60 per dog
• Salon owner: ~$80–$90 minus supplies
• Mobile groomer: $60–$110 net per dog

Can dog groomers make six figures?

Yes. Most six-figure groomers are either:

• Independent mobile groomers
• Solo salon owners with strong pricing
• Multi-groomer salon owners

Employees rarely hit six figures without overtime or management roles.

What’s the highest-paying grooming model?

Multi-groomer salon ownership has the highest ceiling ($300K+), but independent mobile grooming often has the best solo income-to-effort ratio.

How much do mobile dog groomers make?

• Employees: $50,000–$85,000
• Independent owners: $90,000–$140,000 net

Mobile groomers earn more per appointment but do fewer per day due to travel.

Why do some groomers earn much more than others?

It usually comes down to:

• Pricing discipline
• Rebooking consistency
• No-show control
• Add-on conversion
• Software and systems

Even with identical skill levels, these factors create massive income gaps between groomers.