Pet grooming is a growing business that is expected to generate an annual revenue of about $2.5 billion by 2032.
Nearly 85% of pet owners groom their dogs at least once yearly, with owners averaging a trip to the groomer five times a year.
Turning a passion for caring for pets into a pet grooming business allows groomers to earn a paycheck in a growing industry.
The most important step towards owning a pet grooming business is gaining knowledge about the profession.
Learning the skills required for pet groomers, knowing licensing requirements, and learning about local and state laws for people who own a pet grooming business can help people pursue their passion in a $1.3 billion industry.
The Business of Pet Grooming
Do you dream of the day when you can own your own pet grooming business?
Do your pet parent’s friends and family members come to you to groom their pet instead of going to the groomers across town?
Perhaps you believe that pet grooming is not a profitable business.
The truth about pet grooming is revealed in the latest statistics.
Dogster indicates that globally, pet owners spend an estimated $300 billion on their pets, which includes the cost of pet grooming services.
Two-thirds of the households in the U.S. have at least one pet.
One-third of U.S. households have multiple pets.
The increase in pet ownership is a primary reason that the pet grooming industry has seen a lot of growth in recent years.
Statistics show that nearly 85% of pet owners have their pets groomed at least once a year.
Most pet owners take their pets to a groomer several times a year.
People who want to turn their passion for grooming animals into a business should not be discouraged by the fact that there are currently more than 300,000 pet groomers in the U.S.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that there is much faster than average job growth in the animal care and service worker profession, which includes pet groomers.
The bureau indicates that there will be an average of 84,500 new jobs added each year, through 2033.
The job growth is likely to open doors for people who want to turn their dream of owning a pet care business into reality.
Pet Groomer License Requirements
The thought of having to get a license to become a pet groomer may lead to the fear of having to go through an extensive process that costs a lot of money (it’s not).
The fact is that most states do not require pet groomers to have a license.
The idea that the states generally do not require pet groomers to be licensed may seem confusing to people who want to own a pet grooming business.
Perhaps you have seen a license prominently displayed on the wall at a professional pet groomer’s business.
It is the business itself that needs the license, not the pet groomer.
Examples of how the pet grooming business, not the pet groomers themselves, need to have a license can be found in the laws of various states across the country.
Connecticut’s Chapter 435, Section 22-344. 3(c) states that “No person shall engage in the business of grooming or maintaining a grooming facility until such person has obtained from the commissioner a license to maintain such facility.”
The statute also indicates that pet groomers must pay the required fee for their pet grooming business.
Iowa requires that pet groomers pay the fee for the required pet grooming license.
Pet grooming businesses may be subject to inspection.
Pet groomers who let their license expire, and who continue to operate pay a civil penalty of $1,000 per day, in addition to criminal penalties.
The Colorado Revised Statutes Title 35, Article 80 governs the required need to have a license to operate a pet grooming business.
The state license statutes govern both permanent and mobile pet grooming establishments.
Colorado, like other states, provides easy-to-understand information about how to obtain a license to own and operate a pet grooming business.
The license fees are listed on each state’s website.
People who want to start a pet grooming business need to know the fees for the state where they plan to open their business.
Certificate vs. Certification: What Is the Difference?
Earning a certificate for completing a pet grooming program is not the same thing as earning a pet grooming certification.
Some online and traditional pet grooming schools provide students who complete the program with a certificate of completion.
The certificate shows that the student completed the program.
It does not provide the student with any type of certification.
Certification gives students the credentials and recognition that are needed to certify them as professional pet groomers.
The National Dog Groomers Association of America explains that their National Certified Master Groomer certification is awarded to groomers who have completed rigorous testing, consisting of both written exams and practical skills exams.
The association indicates that people who earn the certification have several benefits, including higher earnings potential, career advancement, and professional validation.
Some other organizations that offer pet groomer certification include The Academy of Pet Careers and the National Cat Groomers Institute.
Pet Groomer Salary
The need for pet groomers is increasing across the U.S. Some sources indicate that people of higher income brackets are more likely to take their pets to a professional groomer and to get their pets groomed several times a year.
The salary for pet groomers is also increasing across the U.S.
The 2023 median salary for pet groomers was $31,830.
The site salary.com indicates that the median salary for pet groomers, as of February 1, 2025, is $38,302.
Pet groomers often earn a higher salary, with many pet groomers earning close to $55,000.
Turning the dream of owning a pet grooming business into reality provides pet groomers with higher earnings when they gain experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do states require a license for pet grooming businesses?
The states have regulations that govern pet grooming facilities, boarding facilities, and kennels.
They inspect these facilities and require that owners maintain their facilities in a manner that complies with state laws.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Pet Groomer?
The time that it takes for a person to become a pet groomer depends on several things, including how long it takes them to get a license, the length of their pet grooming program, and passing exams to earn a certificate or certification.
How Can I Increase My Earnings as a Pet Groomer?
Pet groomers earn a higher salary based on things like their experience, their education, and their location.
One example is that the median salary for pet groomers in California is $42,202, while it is $36,402 in Florida.
The city where pet groomers own a business can affect their earnings.
Pet groomers in Los Angeles, California earn an average of $42,602, while pet groomers in Santee, California earn an average salary of $36,601.
Gaining experience increases the earnings of pet groomers.
Some pet groomers start their careers by working at pet stores or nationwide chains that offer pet grooming services.