How Many Hours Does a Pet Groomer Work? (Solved & Explained!)

When working for a commercial business such as Petco or PetSmart, you’ll likely work full or part time, which will amount to 35 hours for full time and 15-25 hours for part time. Working for yourself with a grooming business, expect a minimum of 40 hours a week getting started, though over 50 hours a week is much more likely.

It takes time to build up your business and a reliable pool of returning customers, so expect to work quite a bit more if you are operating on your own.

For the remainder of this article, we’re going to answer popular questions on the subject of dog grooming. What makes a good groomer? How long is the training? Find out the answers to these and other questions trending this week by reading on!

How long do dog groomers work a day?

On average, dog groomers will be working 6 hours a day, 6 days a week, but that will depend on whether you are running your own business or working for someone else. Part time work is certainly available, as well as opportunities that will allow you to work 40 hours or more.

Ultimately it will depend on what your manager needs and what you accede to.

Is dog grooming a stressful job?

Dog grooming can be very stressful. It requires that you are on your feet all day, going from station to station for bathing, drying, and other grooming requirements. You also need to be able to crouch down for long periods of time for brushing and trimming.

It’s also safe to say that not all pets will be friendly, so you will occasionally need to restrain an animal and work with them while they are wiggling and trying other not-so-friendly tactics to get you to stop.

That said, if you love working with animals, you’ll definitely have some amazing days – but not every one is going to be that way!

Can you make good money as a dog groomer?

Yes, you can definitely make good money as a dog groomer, but expect to put in a lot of time to get established first. If you are working through a company such as PetSmart, you can expect an average of $14 per hour up to as much as $50 per hour, depending on location and demand for your specific services.

If you are running your own business, some of the more successful pet salons report earnings up to $75,000 to $100,00 per year. It’s all about location, advertising, skills, and a solid base of happy and returning customers.

What are the disadvantages of being a dog groomer?

Disadvantages cited from former dog groomers include long hours on your feet, the occasional angry or frightened dogs, working weekends, and keeping up with certifications. Said certifications are actually optional, but still a good idea, as there is really no cookie-cutter path to becoming a professional dog groomer.

Having licenses and certifications, even if you have to renew them yearly, helps to show current and potential clients that you are serious enough about grooming that you’re willing to put in the time to keep your training current. It’s a rewarding job, but it’s definitely not an easy one.

Is pet grooming a good career?

Pet grooming is a good career choice for someone who loves animals and has a good work ethic, as well as a flair for style. Like skilled hairdressers for people, a good dog groomer can make a good living making pets look their best once the word gets around about their skills.

If you’re willing to work hard, build up a good client base, and love spending time with animals then it might just be the perfect career for you.

How many dogs can you groom in a day?

While there are exceptions, of course, expect that you should be able to groom about 6 to 8 dogs per day. This number will vary, of course, based on expertise, organization, and the efficiency of the stations which you have set up, but 6 to 8 is the average number of dogs you’ll be able to groom daily.

How long does it take to be a dog groomer?

That will be up to you, but we recommend that you take the time to earn what certifications you can and that you go with a reputable source for your official training.

Professional training takes about 4 weeks on average, but there are a lot of options, so your own training could take anywhere from 2 weeks to 18 weeks.  Apprenticeships are available too, and they come with hands-on experience.

You can find these at places such as Petco and PetSmart and these take around 6 to 10 weeks for the apprenticeship, but they also come with free professional training. Not a bad deal at all!

How much do PetSmart pet groomers make?

On average, PetSmart pet groomers will make around $14.34 per hour, though you also get commissions and tips are allowed. Some PetSmart groomers make more, though it is less common, with reported hourly rates being as high as $50 per hour in rare cases.

How much does it cost for dog grooming school?

This depends on the education path that you choose for yourself. For instance, with a PetSmart or Petco apprenticeship, pro training will cost you nothing, and you’ll be paid during your apprenticeship while you learn the ropes through hands-on experience.

For physical and online grooming schools, you can expect to pay an average of around $1200, though higher-end schools such as Animal Behavior College might cost you $3000 – $6000.

That’s not without perks, however, as ABC and some other courses can also get you hands on experience through a network of businesses spanning across the 50 states.

What makes a good dog groomer?

The most important part of being a pet groomer is an affinity and understanding of the animals that you will be working with. Without this, no matter your talent, you’re not going to do well as a groomer. You can take courses to learn the required skills, but if you don’t like or understand the animals then this is not the career for you.

You also need to have a strong work ethic – this is a rewarding job and one you’ll love, but it’s certainly not easy!

Kevin "Ken" Davies

My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.