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Dog groomers work surrounded by animals and people, so if this is something that interests you read on!
Through this guide, you’ll learn more about the job itself as well as what you need to do to enter this field.
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Dog Groomer Job Requirements
It’s relatively easy to become a dog groomer as there are almost no legal requirements for you to meet.
It’s the employers who will look mostly for qualified personnel because these candidates passed an exam and thus they proved they can do the job.
Earn your accredited, affordable Pet and Dog Grooming Certificate online with Penn Foster in as little as 2 months!
It’s mostly your personality traits and certain abilities that will determine if you’re a good candidate for the position or not.
A patient and compassionate person will generally be calmer, and this helps the animal to stay calm for a longer period.
Such a person can generally communicate better with the owners of the pets visiting the grooming salon as well.
Communication is important as you’ll need to know what the owner wants for their companion.
You’ll find yourself standing quite a lot of time as a pet groomer, so make sure you’re ready for that.
Dog Groomer Job Duties and Responsibilities
Dog groomers make the life of pet owners easier as they perform a task that not many people manage to complete: that of cleaning the animal.
These professionals can also help with maintaining the well being of the pet, as during the session they can discover some early signs of serious health problems.
The caretaker of the animal needs to be alerted whenever this happens.
Cleaning a pet doesn’t only involve washing and drying it.
You need to also style its coat, make sure it stays calm through all the procedures, regardless of the tools you use.
Furthermore, it is also important to clean the ears, eyes, and sometimes teeth of the animals visiting you.
Doing all these actions is challenging especially when you try not to injure the animal or avoid getting yourself injured.
Dog Groomer Training and Certification In Pennsylvania
To become a dog groomer, it’s best to first enroll in a training school or an apprenticeship program.
Depending on where you’ll enroll, the duration of the program will differ.
The topics most of them will cover are:
- Grooming dogs
- Grooming cats
- Most commonly used tools
- Preparation methods
- Running a pet grooming salon
Keep in mind that to enroll, you’ll have to meet certain criteria, depending on the school.
Some schools might ask for:
- High school diploma or GED
- At least 17 years old, with parental consent
Once the training is completed you’ll have to show what you learned by passing an exam.
Most of those who pass the exam obtain the Diploma for Professional Dog Stylists as certification.
Salary Information
Grooming pets is an occupation that can be performed either as a full-time or part-time job.
This aspect alone will have a major impact on how much you’ll earn.
Experience and location are other factors that will decide your salary.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $37,324 |
| Pittsburgh | $34,225 |
| Allentown | $34,642 |
| Erie | $32,095 |
| Reading | $34,465 |
| Upper Darby | $37,324 |
| Scranton | $32,071 |
| Bensalem | $39,240 |
| Lancaster | $34,041 |
| Abington | $37,297 |
Regional Salary in Pennsylvania
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 660 | $30,400 | $14.61 | $38,230 | $21,330 |
| Altoona, PA | 70 | $25,110 | $12.07 | $28,970 | $18,050 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA | 70 | $29,730 | $14.29 | $36,130 | $21,490 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA | 100 | $27,490 | $13.22 | $37,950 | $18,720 |
| East Stroudsburg, PA | 100 | $29,860 | $14.36 | $43,330 | $21,650 |
| Erie, PA | 210 | $28,000 | $13.46 | $35,560 | $18,640 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 60 | $30,470 | $14.65 | $37,720 | $21,880 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 530 | $30,220 | $14.53 | $39,160 | $21,150 |
| Lancaster, PA | 430 | $31,030 | $14.92 | $39,140 | $22,360 |
| Lebanon, PA | 70 | $28,930 | $13.91 | $37,420 | $21,110 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 5,650 | $33,410 | $16.06 | $44,580 | $24,770 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 2,440 | $29,740 | $14.3 | $41,530 | $21,870 |
| Reading, PA | 300 | $29,020 | $13.95 | $36,270 | $21,520 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 320 | $28,970 | $13.93 | $36,490 | $20,980 |
| State College, PA | 100 | $29,040 | $13.96 | $41,690 | $21,290 |
| Williamsport, PA | 50 | $25,430 | $12.23 | $35,950 | $19,560 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 350 | $28,850 | $13.87 | $35,760 | $21,540 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Dog Grooming Schools in Pennsylvania
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Personal Touch Pet Care Salon & Mobile Grooming | 517 Kimberton Road Phoenixville, PA 19460 |
| Groomer Training Center | 807 E Main St, Annville, PA 17003 |
| Just Four Paws Academy of Pet Styling | 1530 W 26th St #1, Erie, PA 16508 |
| Dog Grooming School of Pennsylvania | 21 E Afton Ave, Yardley, PA 19067 |
| Cindy's Canine Companions Salon & School | 12 Chestnut St, Bethel, PA 19507 |
| The Pampered Pet School of Dog Grooming | 109 Dewalt Ave # 101, Pittsburgh, PA 15227 |
| Golden Paws Pet Styling Academy | 2101 Greentree Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15220, |
| Penn Foster Career School | 925 Oak Street Scranton, PA 18515 |
Earn your accredited, affordable Pet and Dog Grooming Certificate online with Penn Foster in as little as 2 months!
Additional Information
Humane societies in your state have more resources regarding training and even finding a job.
They might be willing to hire you or refer you to:
- A vet clinic
- A pet store
- A kennel
Read the full guide: How to Become a Dog / Pet Groomer
Dog Grooming by State
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