How to Build Your Dog Grooming Price List

Setting your dog grooming price list is one of the most consequential business decisions you'll make — and one of the ones groomers get most wrong. Price too low and you're grinding through dogs all day without making real money. Price too high without the clientele or reputation to back it up and your phone stops ringing. And if your pricing is all over the place — charging different clients different amounts for the same service — you're creating confusion and inconsistency that undermines your professionalism.

This guide walks you through how to build a grooming price list that reflects your actual costs, your market, and the value of your work — with real price ranges for 2026 and a framework you can use starting today.

Why Most Groomers Undercharge (And How to Stop)

The undercharging problem in grooming is well-documented and persistent. A few reasons it happens:

Starting prices never get raised. A groomer who launched in 2018 at $55 for a full groom on a medium dog may have raised prices once since then. In 2026, that price doesn't reflect the cost of supplies, the increase in minimum wages (for shops with employees), or the simple fact that experience commands more money.

Fear of losing clients. The instinct when raising prices is to assume clients will leave. In practice, well-established clients rarely leave over a $5–10 price increase, especially when service quality remains high. The ones who do leave were often the most difficult clients anyway.

Comparing to competitors without understanding context. If the groomer down the street charges $65 for a full groom on a Goldendoodle and you charge $60, you might think you're close. But if they're fully booked three weeks out and you have open slots, the market is telling you something.

Not accounting for time. Price per dog is meaningless without time-per-dog. A $90 full groom on a well-maintained Miniature Poodle that takes 90 minutes is far more profitable than an $80 full groom on a severely matted Bernedoodle that takes 3.5 hours.

The Right Way to Set Your Prices

Pricing should start with your numbers, not your competition's prices.

Step 1: Know your hourly revenue target. What do you need to net per hour of grooming to meet your income goals? Work backwards from your monthly income target, your expenses, and your available grooming hours. If you need $6,000/month net and have 160 hours of grooming time available, you need to net about $37.50/hour. If your expenses run 30% of gross revenue, your gross revenue target per hour is closer to $54.

Step 2: Estimate time by service and breed. A nail trim takes 10–15 minutes. A bath and brush on a Beagle takes 45 minutes. A full groom on a Goldendoodle takes 2–3 hours. Build your pricing so that the per-hour rate on each service type gets you to your target.

Step 3: Check your market. Once you know your floor price (the minimum you need to charge to meet your income goals), see where your competitors are relative to that floor. If the market rate for a full groom on a Standard Poodle in your area is $90–120 and your floor is $85, you have pricing room to work with. If the market rate is $65 and your floor is $85, you either need to find a different market position, reduce expenses, or increase efficiency.

Step 4: Price for the hard dogs. Many groomers have a flat rate for large dogs that doesn't account for coat type, condition, or temperament. A reactive Great Dane with a double coat takes far longer and requires more expertise than a smooth-coated Boxer. Build breed-specific complexity and coat condition into your pricing.

2026 Grooming Price Ranges by Service

These are realistic market ranges for professional grooming in mid-to-large U.S. markets in 2026. Rural areas and small markets may run 20–30% lower; high-cost metros (NYC, LA, Seattle, etc.) may run 20–40% higher.

Full Groom (Bath, Dry, Haircut, Nails, Ear Cleaning)

Bath & Brush (No Haircut)

À La Carte Services

How to Price Breed-Specific Work

Generic size-based pricing breaks down quickly when you're grooming double-coated breeds, high-maintenance doodles, or breed-specific show cuts. Here's how to think about breed complexity:

Double-coated breeds (Huskies, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Corgis) require longer drying times and more brushing. Charge 15–25% more than a single-coated dog of the same size.

Doodle breeds (Goldendoodles, Bernedoodles, Labradoodles) are among the most time-intensive and warrant your highest prices in the medium-to-large size categories. A standard Goldendoodle full groom in the $120–165 range is well within market expectations in most areas.

Breed-specific show cuts (Poodles, Bichons, Cocker Spaniels, Schnauzers) require training and skill. If you offer breed-standard cuts, price them at a premium over a standard "puppy cut" on the same breed.

Long-haired breeds requiring detail work (Shih Tzus, Yorkies, Maltese) can be deceiving — small dogs, high complexity. Don't underprice them just because they weigh 8 pounds.

Add-On Pricing Strategy

Add-ons are where a lot of grooming revenue hides. The client is already at your salon, the dog is already in the tub — offering an add-on at check-in or at the point of handoff is a low-friction upsell.

Effective add-on strategy looks like this:

• At booking: "Would you like to add teeth brushing or a blueberry facial to [dog's name]'s appointment?" Build these options into your booking confirmation text or online booking flow.
• At check-in: "I noticed [dog's name] had some tear staining last time — we can add a blueberry facial today for $14."
• At handoff: "She had a beautiful groom today. Would you like to add the nail grind to today's service?"

Even a $12–15 add-on on 30% of appointments adds $450–600/month to a full grooming schedule. That's $5,400–7,200/year in additional revenue from the same number of appointments.

Handling Difficult Pricing Situations

Matting and Coat Condition Fees

A severely matted dog requires significantly more time, skill, and physical effort than a well-maintained coat. Charge for it. Most groomers use a dematting surcharge of $15–40+ depending on severity, or charge by the additional time required. Be upfront about this with clients at booking and at drop-off, and document it in your service agreements.

For examples of how to structure your intake process and coat-condition disclosures, see:
Dog Grooming Intake Form Template & Best Practices

The "It's Just a Trim" Client

Some clients dramatically underestimate what their dog needs. A Goldendoodle who "just needs a trim" has probably been growing a coat for six months and is going to take 2.5 hours to groom properly. Quote the actual service and price when they drop off (after you've assessed the dog), not just based on the phone call.

Raising Prices on Existing Clients

The cleanest approach: announce a price increase 4–6 weeks in advance, explain that your prices haven't changed in [X] time and you're bringing them in line with current costs, and hold firm. A brief, professional notice sent by text or email converts most clients. Some will grumble; almost none will actually leave a groomer they trust over a $5–10 increase.

If you're on grooming software like Teddy, you can track each client's pricing history and send a blanket price increase notification to your entire client base at once via mass text — no manual outreach required.

For additional platform comparisons and feature breakdowns, check out:
Top Pet Grooming Software Compared: Expert Rankings

Sample Price List Template

Here's a simple price list format you can customize and post in your salon, on your website, or in your booking system:

[SALON NAME] — Service Menu & Pricing

Full Groom (bath, blow dry, breed cut or style, nails, ear cleaning, bandana)

• Extra Small (under 10 lbs): starting at $65
• Small (10–25 lbs): starting at $75
• Medium (25–50 lbs): starting at $90
• Large (50–80 lbs): starting at $115
• Extra Large (80+ lbs): starting at $145

Doodle breeds, double coats, and breeds requiring breed-specific cuts are subject to additional charges. Pricing is based on well-maintained coats; matted coats and long intervals between grooms may incur surcharges.

Bath & Brush (bath, blow dry, nails, ear cleaning, bandana, no haircut)

• Pricing varies by size: starting at $45

À La Carte

• Nail Trim: $18
• Nail Grind: $25
• Ear Cleaning: $12
• Teeth Brushing: $12
• Blueberry Facial: $14
• De-shedding Treatment: starts at $25

All prices are subject to change based on coat condition, temperament, and time required. Final pricing is confirmed at drop-off.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I charge for a full groom on a Goldendoodle?

In most U.S. markets in 2026, a full groom on a standard-size Goldendoodle runs $110–165. Standard Goldendoodles are large, high-maintenance dogs with complex coats that take 2–3 hours for an experienced groomer. Price accordingly.

Should I charge more for difficult dogs?

Yes. A dog that requires muzzling, significant handling, or extended time due to behavioral challenges costs you more to groom. A behavioral surcharge of $15–30 is standard practice among professional groomers. Disclose it upfront.

How often should I update my grooming price list?

Review your prices at least once a year and adjust for supply cost increases, labor changes, and market movement. Small incremental raises (5–10%) annually are far less disruptive than large jumps every few years.

Can I charge different prices for different clients for the same service?

You can set variable pricing based on coat condition, behavior, or complexity — but having different base prices for different clients for identical services creates consistency problems and can damage client relationships if they compare notes. A transparent price list with clear surcharge policies is a better approach.

Where should I post my grooming price list?

On your website (a dedicated pricing page), in your Google Business Profile, in your booking confirmation messages, and posted visibly in your salon. Transparency in pricing reduces check-in surprises and builds trust.