Groomer: Career Information

Groomer Job Description: 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.

Employment Facts for Groomers: Nonfarm animal caretakers, a job category that includes groomers as well as other workers, held about 108,130 jobs in 2006.

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

Other Requirements for Groomers: 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.

Advancement Opportunities for Groomers: 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.

Job Outlook for Groomers: Those working as animal care and service workers, including groomers, should see faster than average job growth through 2014, due to an increase in the companion pet population.

Earnings of Groomers: Nonfarm animal caretakers, including groomers, earned median hourly wages of $8.72 in 2006.

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

A Day in a Groomer's Life: 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;

This is the most recent year for which this information is available.

Information courtesy of Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Animal Care and Service Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos168.htm (visited August 3, 2007) and Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2006, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes392021.htm (visited on August 2, 2007).