Dog Groomer
Also advertised as: Dog Groomer, Grooming Assistant, Mobile Dog Groomer, Pet Groomer, Salon Groomer, Trainee Dog Groomer
Bathes, clips and styles dogs, and spots health problems on the coat and skin.
What the job involves
Dog groomers combine animal handling with a practical craft. You wash, clip and style to breed standards, manage nervous dogs safely and advise owners on coat care. Many groomers become self-employed or run a mobile van within a few years.
Typical responsibilities
- Bathe, dry, clip and style dogs
- Handle nervous or reactive dogs safely
- Check for skin, ear and parasite problems
- Advise owners on coat maintenance
- Manage bookings, pricing and equipment
Common employers
- Grooming salons
- Pet retail chains
- Veterinary practices
- Self-employed and mobile
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£19,000 – £23,000 a year
With experience
£25,000 – £35,000 a year
Typical hours
Salon hours including Saturdays
Working environment
Grooming salon or mobile van
Remote working
on_site
Demand for this work
steady
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Grooming technique
- Animal handling
- Customer service
- Business basics
- Patience
Transferable skills you may already have
- Hairdressing or barbering
- Customer bookings
- Animal experience
Requirements employers ask for
- Grooming technique
- Animal handling
- Customer service
- Business basics
- Patience
- No formal qualification required
- Business insurance and licence in some council areas
Useful but not essential
- Hairdressing or barbering
- Customer bookings
- Animal experience
- Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming
- City & Guilds grooming qualifications
Helpful qualifications
- Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming
- City & Guilds grooming qualifications
Licences and checks
- Business insurance and licence in some council areas
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Dog Groomer (Level 3)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Animal care
Where this career can lead
next
Salon Owner
next
Mobile Grooming Business
next
Grooming Trainer
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Fast route to self-employment
- Creative practical craft
- Strong repeat customer base
What people find hard
- Physically demanding on hands and back
- Risk of bites and scratches
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a dog groomer?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. not_required
- How much does a dog groomer earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £19,000 to £23,000 a year, rising towards £35,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Hairdressing or barbering, Customer bookings, Animal experience.
Related careers
Veterinary Nurse
Provides nursing care to animals, assists in surgery and supports owners.
Animal Care Worker
Feeds, cleans, exercises and monitors animals in kennels, rescues, zoos or farms.
Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
Read how our career data is built and reviewed, or tell us if something here is wrong.