If you are considering a grooming career, already grooming and wondering if you are being paid fairly, or a salon owner trying to set competitive wages, this guide covers real groomer salary data for 2026.
New groomers — whether fresh from grooming school or apprenticing under an experienced groomer — typically start in this range. At entry level, you are still building speed, learning breed-specific cuts, and developing the handling skills that come with experience. Most entry-level positions are hourly ($12-$17/hour) rather than commission, because new groomers cannot yet maintain the pace needed to earn well on commission.
This is where most career groomers land. With several years of experience, you are efficient, you know breed standards, clients request you by name, and you can handle 6-8 dogs per day comfortably. On commission (40-50%), this translates to $150-$250/day before tips. Tips add $20-$60/day on average. Total compensation including tips: $45,000-$65,000/year in most markets.
Senior groomers with a loyal client following, breed specialty skills, and the ability to train others are the most valuable employees in a grooming salon. Many negotiate higher commission rates (50-55%), salary-plus-commission packages, or management roles that include additional compensation. In high-cost-of-living areas, top groomers can earn $70,000-$80,000/year.
Mobile grooming commands a 30-50% premium over salon prices because you bring the service to the client. A mobile groomer doing 5-6 dogs per day at $80-$120 average can gross $400-$720/day. However, expenses are significant: van payment ($500-$800/month), gas ($300-$500/month), insurance ($150-$300/month), equipment maintenance, and self-employment taxes (15.3%). Net income after expenses and taxes is typically $50,000-$80,000/year for a well-run mobile operation.
Salon owners earn based on business profitability, not just their own grooming output. A well-run salon with 3-5 groomers, low overhead, and strong client retention can generate $60,000-$150,000+/year in owner income. The range is wide because it depends on location, pricing, overhead, staffing, and whether the owner is still grooming or purely managing.
$25,000-$65,000/year depending on experience, location, and employment type. Entry-level: $25,000-$35,000. Experienced: $40,000-$55,000. Mobile/owners: $60,000-$100,000+.
Yes. Growing demand, portable skills, creative expression, and earning potential of $50,000-$80,000+ for experienced groomers. Physical demands are real but manageable.
$50,000-$80,000/year net after expenses. Higher gross rates than salon work but significant vehicle and operating costs.
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