How to Become a Dog Groomer in California

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How to Become a Dog Groomer in California

Few occupations allow you to spend as much time with animals as you’d like.

One of them is that of a dog groomer.

After reading this guide, you’ll know what you have to do to become a pet groomer in California.

Requirements

Being an animal lover is already an indicator for you to consider a dog groomer career.

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You should also like to take care of animals or hair styling in general.

These are some further traits that qualify you for this position:

  • Good communication skills
  • Stamina, to be able to control animals and to stand for extended periods
  • Being calm
  • Having compassion
  • Being detail-oriented

Just like hair stylists, pet groomers also need to perfect their skills.

As a dog groomer, you should be willing to improve and stay updated with the latest trends, methods, and technologies implemented in the field.

You can do all of this by participating in various workshops, reading magazines, and checking out the work of other groomers.

Job Description and Duties

Some dog groomers specialize in taking care of certain dog breeds, though the majority of groomers will work with all dogs and even with cats.

These professionals play an important role in the animals’ health, as they don’t only wash and style their coats.

The animal’s health is maintained by making sure that:

  • No water or styling products get in the animal’s ears, eyes or mouth while bathing or styling
  • The knotted hair is carefully removed
  • The animal doesn’t get injured while being sheared
  • Appropriate techniques for the type of animal are being used
  • The nails are cut without injuring the animal

Accidents can happen during a grooming session, and the person in charge should know what they must do to stop bleeding and prevent infections.

As a pet groomer, you’ll also be responsible for cleaning the tools and the area you used, making sure the tools are always sharp and in a good functioning state.

Education and Licensing

California doesn’t require professional pet groomers to get special education.

Most employers in this state will however look for someone who obtained a high school diploma or GED.

It is best for dog groomers to get trained as they’ll learn more about:

  • Dog grooming
  • Cat grooming
  • Basic knowledge about cats and dogs
  • Pre-grooming procedures
  • Dog personality based on their breed
  • The code of conduct for these professionals

Most of the curriculum focuses on dogs.

During the programs, you’re expected to complete your written assignments and pass your skill assessments.

There are some programs offered online and some that last as little as two months.

Those enrolling in some of the programs available may even receive nail clippers and a pair of shearing scissors.

Salary Information

You should probably start searching for a job with one of these companies while still training:

  • A humane society,
  • Vet clinics,
  • Pet stores
  • Dog kennels

Currently in California dog groomers earn on average $38,758 per year.

You can earn more than the state average income in cities like San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland.

Annual Salary Range:
$25K
$38K
$57K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
Location Avg. Annual Salary
Los Angeles $39,060
San Diego $37,306
San Jose $43,546
San Francisco $43,477
Fresno $34,767
Sacramento $37,505
Long Beach $38,688
Oakland $41,117
Bakersfield $37,266
Anaheim $38,775

Regional Salary in California

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Bakersfield, CA300$36,210$17.41$43,420$32,240
Chico, CA170$36,180$17.39$44,500$32,240
El Centro, CA40$36,620$17.61$45,210$32,790
Fresno, CA530$37,260$17.91$41,370$32,240
Hanford-Corcoran, CA50$36,980$17.78$47,080$32,240
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA8,440$38,400$18.46$46,150$32,640
Madera, CA90$37,080$17.83$44,270$34,770
Merced, CA70$37,830$18.19$44,950$32,240
Modesto, CA290$37,980$18.26$46,070$32,840
Napa, CA130$41,600$20$48,380$34,670
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA580$39,770$19.12$46,450$32,250
Redding, CA150$35,380$17.01$43,180$32,240
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA2,140$37,620$18.09$45,120$32,240
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA1,500$38,750$18.63$48,370$33,530
Salinas, CA230$41,730$20.06$53,190$34,340
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA2,830$39,590$19.04$49,980$33,870
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA3,450$44,100$21.2$56,410$36,970
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA1,030$45,410$21.83$56,430$37,790
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA320$37,810$18.18$44,590$32,240
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA200$39,650$19.06$48,940$33,250
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA400$38,960$18.73$48,060$33,820
Santa Rosa, CA540$41,510$19.96$49,920$35,070
Stockton-Lodi, CA250$37,700$18.12$47,080$32,990
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA220$39,610$19.04$48,190$32,670
Visalia-Porterville, CA160$43,040$20.69$53,680$32,240
Yuba City, CA60$41,260$19.84$51,190$33,240
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Animal Caretakers, OCC Code 39-2021, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Dog Grooming Schools in California

School Name Address
West Coast Grooming Academy 155 E. Foothill Blvd. Arcadia, CA, 91006
San Diego Grooming Academy & SD Grooming Co 3805 Utah Street San Diego, CA 92104
AMERICAN GROOMING ACADEMY 31285 Temecula Parkway, Suite 190 Temecula, CA 92592
DOG LOVERS 5700 SO. CRENSHAW BLVD. LOS ANGELES, CA 90043
P. J. Noah PetSchool 27762 Antonio Pkwy L1 – 622 Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
Amber's Academy of Pet Styling 9022 Pulsar Court, Suite E. Corona, CA 92883
Animal Behavior College 27509 Avenue Hopkins, First Floor, Valencia CA 91355-3910
California Pet Grooming School Dog & Cat Professional Grooming 6052 Lincoln Ave Cypress, CA 90630
Wag My Tail 8457 Foothill Blvd, Tujunga,CA 91040
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA GROOMING ACADEMY 1777 HILLSDALE AVE, SAN JOSE CA 95124
Broadway Grooming Clinic & School 1004 Jefferson St, Oakland, CA 94607
Royal Dog Academy 239 S Robertson Blvd suite #1, Beverly Hills, CA, 90211
Los Angeles Groomer Training Los Angeles
School of Dog Grooming 1512 Barton Road Redlands, CA 92373
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Earn your accredited, affordable Pet and Dog Grooming Certificate online with Penn Foster in as little as 2 months!

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Additional Information

You’ll encounter many people who are grooming dogs as a part-time, second job.

This occupation can also turn into a career or a stand-alone business.

USA Dog Grooming by State


2 Comments
  1. Avatar for Sheyla Sheyla

    Where is the address to the school near to 91356 I want to take clases … teaming in person .. please

  2. Avatar for Thomas Thomas

    Thanks for this information. I’m thinking about going into the industry and it has given me some ideas about some places where I can volunteer to get started learning even. Before my formal training.

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Earn your accredited, affordable Pet and Dog Grooming Certificate online with Penn Foster in as little as 2 months!

See more details >>Sponsored