Groomer: Career Information

Groomers maintain pets' appearances. They usually work with dogs and cats. Groomers work in pet shops, animal shelters, veterinary clinics and for grooming services. Many own their own businesses and often operate mobile grooming services that make house calls.

Nonfarm animal caretakers, a job category that includes groomers as well as other workers, held about 118,760 jobs in 2006.

While most groomers get their training through apprenticeships with experienced groomers, others attend two to 18 week grooming programs at state-licensed schools.

Groomers can receive certification from the National Dog Groomers Association of America. Those interested in becoming certified can take an exam that has both a written and a practical component.

Entry-level groomers usually have one task, for example bathing or drying pets. As one becomes more experienced he or she will take on all grooming tasks.

Those working as animal care and service workers, including groomers, should see faster than average job growth through 2016, due to an increase in the companion pet population.

Nonfarm animal caretakers, including groomers, earned median hourly wages of $9.08 and median annual wages of $18,890 in 2007.

Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much groomers currently earn in your city.

On a typical day a groomer will:

• brush out and clip pets' fur;
• cut pets' nails;
• clean pets' ears;
• bath and blow dry pets' fur;

Groomers may also:

• answer phones and schedule appointments;
• discuss a pet's grooming needs with its owner;
• record information about a pet's disposition;

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Animal Care and Service Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos168.htm and Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2007, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes392021.htm (visited on August 4, 2008).

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