ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Dog Bather Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Dogtopia

Dog Bather

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$15 - $18.43/hr

Dogtopia, the industry leader in dog daycare, boarding, and spa services has an immediate opening for an energetic and organized individual to be the star of our playroom as a Dog Bather. Extensive ...

Dogtopia

Dog Bather

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$15 - $18.43/hr

Dogtopia, the industry leader in dog daycare, boarding, and spa services has an immediate opening for an energetic and organized individual to be the star of our playroom as a Dog Bather. Extensive ...

PetSuites

Professional Pet Bather

Manassas Park, VA · On-site

$13 - $14/hr

Professional Pet Bather | Pet Spa Team Are you dependable, detail-oriented, and committed to safe ... Handle dogs of all sizes safely * Work around water, cleaning chemicals, and pet messes Benefits ...

Scenthound

Dog Bather & Groomer in Training

Henrico, VA · On-site

$17 - $25/hr

As a Dog Bather, you will be responsible for delivering quick, efficient hygiene services that meet Scenthound standards. This physically active role requires the strength to lift up to 70 pounds ...

Hope Springs Veterinary

Pet Bather

Chesapeake, VA · On-site

$11.25 - $13.75/hr

Bathing both dogs and cats * Nail trims and ear cleaning * Handling pets with a variety of coat types, sizes, and breeds * Recognizing and supporting coat and skin health needs * Providing a positive ...

Crate Escape Pet Resort

Dog Groomer

Henrico, VA · On-site

$50 - $300/day (+ commission)

Handle general grooming tasks and care such as bathing, de-matts, breed specific cuts, and other ... Comfortable working with dogs of all ages, sizes, and temperaments * Flexibility: our Resort is ...

Crate Escape Pet Resort

Dog Groomer

Henrico, VA · On-site

$50 - $300/day (+ commission)

Handle general grooming tasks and care such as bathing, de-matts, breed specific cuts, and other ... Comfortable working with dogs of all ages, sizes, and temperaments * Flexibility: our Resort is ...

Ruff House at Greenbrier

Dog daycare attendant

Chesapeake, VA · On-site

$11.25 - $14.25/hr

Do you love dogs and dream of spending your days surrounded by wagging tails and happy paws? Ruff ... Assisting with bathing and other pet services as required. What We're Looking For No prior ...

Holiday Barn Pet Resorts

Pet Bather/Brusher

Glen Allen, VA · On-site

$11.50 - $14/hr

Do you love giving dogs and cats soothing baths or helping them feel better with shed treatments ... Our grooming departments bathe and de-matt, provide anti-shedding treatments, anal gland ...

Holiday Barn Pet Resorts

Pet Bather/Brusher

Glen Allen, VA · On-site

$11.50 - $14/hr

Do you love giving dogs and cats soothing baths or helping them feel better with shed treatments ... Our grooming departments bathe and de-matt, provide anti-shedding treatments, anal gland ...

Holiday Barn Pet Resorts

Pet Bather/Brusher

Glen Allen, VA · On-site

$11.50 - $14/hr

Do you love giving dogs and cats soothing baths or helping them feel better with shed treatments ... Our grooming departments bathe and de-matt, provide anti-shedding treatments, anal gland ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsDog Bather JobsDog Bather Jobs in Virginia

Dog Bather information

See Virginia salary details

$8

$14

$18

How much do dog bather jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for dog bather in Virginia is $14.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.40 and $15.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a dog bather do?

As a dog bather, your duties focus on washing dogs in a pet grooming facility, animal spa, or boarding venue. In this job, you wash dogs using pet cleaning products, blow dry and then brush their fur, and provide care until their owner picks them up. Some bathers groom dogs themselves, while others focus on washing services and leave other professionals to post-bath grooming tasks. Depending on where you work, you may have additional responsibilities, such as offering nail trim services or tooth cleaning. In addition to pet facilities, dog bathers can work in pet stores or boarding kennels.

What does a dog bather do?

A dog bather is responsible for cleaning and grooming dogs, including bathing them with appropriate shampoos, brushing their fur to remove tangles, drying them with towels or dryers, and sometimes trimming nails or cleaning ears. They often work in pet grooming salons, veterinary offices, or pet boarding facilities. Dog bathers help maintain dogs' hygiene and can spot signs of skin conditions or parasites. Their work ensures pets are clean, comfortable, and healthy, and they often prepare dogs for further grooming performed by professional groomers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a dog bather, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Dog Bather, you need basic animal handling knowledge, attention to detail, and physical stamina, often supported by on-the-job training or experience in pet care. Familiarity with grooming tools, pet-safe cleaning products, and scheduling or point-of-sale systems is commonly required. Patience, strong communication, and a gentle temperament are essential soft skills for building trust with both pets and their owners. These skills ensure the safety, comfort, and satisfaction of pets and clients, contributing to a positive grooming experience and repeat business.

What are the typical challenges faced by a dog bather when handling different dog breeds?

Dog Bathers often encounter a range of challenges based on breed-specific behaviors, coat types, and temperaments. Some breeds may be anxious or fearful around water, requiring patience and gentle handling, while others may have thick or double coats that need extra attention during washing and drying. Additionally, managing large or strong dogs can be physically demanding, and understanding how to calm nervous pets is essential for both safety and efficiency. Teamwork with groomers and clear communication with pet owners also play a key role in addressing each dog's unique needs.

What is the difference between Dog Bather vs Pet Groomer?

AspectDog BatherPet Groomer
CertificationsNone required, some may have pet grooming or bathing certificationsOften requires grooming certifications or training programs
Work EnvironmentDog grooming salons, pet spas, kennelsPet salons, grooming shops, veterinary clinics
Job ResponsibilitiesBathing, drying, basic grooming prepFull grooming services including haircuts, styling, bathing
Industry UsageCommonly used for initial bathing tasksBroader grooming services, including styling

While both roles involve caring for pets' hygiene, a Dog Bather primarily focuses on bathing and drying dogs, often as a preparatory step. A Pet Groomer offers comprehensive grooming services, including haircuts and styling. The roles overlap in environments and some skills but differ in scope and certifications.

What skills are needed to be a dog bather?

A dog bather needs good animal handling skills, attention to detail, and familiarity with grooming tools and techniques. Physical stamina and the ability to work in a noisy environment are also important, along with basic knowledge of dog behavior and safety procedures.
More about Dog Bather jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Dog Bather jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Dog Bather jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Dog Bather jobs in Virginia?

For Dog Bather jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Dog Bather jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Dog Bather jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Dog Bather jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Dog Bather job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Dog Bather jobs in VA?

For Dog Bather jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Dog Bather jobs near you
Infographic showing various Dog Bather job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, and 23% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $30,077 per year, or $14.5 per hour.

Dog Bather

Dogtopia

Alexandria, VA • On-site

$15 - $18.43/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

Dogtopia rating

4.8

Company rating: 4.8 out of 10

Based on 167 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

36th of 44 rated pet care providers

Job description

Dogtopia, the industry leader in dog daycare, boarding, and spa services has an immediate opening for an energetic and organized individual to be the star of our playroom as a Dog Bather. Extensive training is provided for this position and we have both full-time and part-time positions available. If you LOVE dogs and caring for them, then this IS the role for you!!

Requirements

ABOUT YOU:

  • You love dogs and would love to care for them all day, every day!
  • You produce high quality work and want to know exactly what is expected of you.
  • You're the kind of person who takes your job seriously.
  • You're focused on achieving goals consistently and efficiently.
  • You're careful not to make mistakes and can be counted on to keep all the dogs in your care safe and well cared for!
  • You are cooperative, helpful and careful.
  • You enjoy working in a collaborative harmonious teamwork environment.

*If you are seeing yourself in these words, we'd love to talk to you about our Dog Bather role.

ABOUT US:

We're Dogtopia and we are a unique breed! We love and care for our Pet Parents' pups like they are our own. A big part of our success is that we hire great people, who love dogs, and we treat them exceptionally well and reward them for their excellence. We provide you with the industry best training in dog behavior and animal care, and we equip you with the skills to make every day the Most Exciting Day Ever for every dog in your care. This is why Dogtopia is the industry leader and wins customer driven awards and recognition year after year!

We are also proud to be deeply invested in giving back to our communities through our Dogtopia Foundation's Fetch It Forward initiatives with a mission that Enables Dogs to Positively Change Our World.

ABOUT THE Dog Bather ROLE:

  • The focus of the Dog Bather is to create a safe, fun, and clean environment for each pup.
  • You interact with dogs of all sizes and breeds, and you are always on stage. All rooms are equipped with cameras so Pet Parents can stay engaged with their dogs and watch the fantastic experience you create for their pup.
  • You care for all furry friends as if they were a part of your family.
  • You take your jobs seriously while having fun creating the Most Exciting Day Ever for the pups.
  • This can be a dirty (yet very rewarding) role that requires you to be active and on your feet for your shift.

As a DOGTOPIAN, you'll live and love life like a dog while making a tangible difference in the lives of dogs and our communities:

  • WeLOVElife unconditionally like a dog.
  • WeSTAYloyal to our pack.
  • WeCHASEthe absolute highest standards of safety.
  • WePLAYto our fullest potential.
  • WeTREATevery day like It's the Most Exciting Day Ever!

At Dogtopia, we're passionate about dogs and believe in safe socialization, exercise and education for our furry friends. At daycare, dogs can play getting plenty of exercise in our climate-controlled open-play playrooms and even learn a new command or two under the watchful eyes of trained Canine Coaches. Paired with dogs of similar size and personality, dogs enjoy endless socialization with their BFFFs (Best Furry Friends Forever) making it the most exciting day ever! Pet parents can join in on the fun from work or home by watching their pups on the webcams. We stop at nothing to make sure dogs are happy, safe and fulfilled so their pet parent picks up a happy dog who will be begging them to bring them back for my daycare.
Dogtopia offers award-winning dog daycare, boarding and spa services (with some offering grooming and training), our core service is daycare for dogs. We love and care for all dogs like they're our own and are dedicated to helping them become a well-balanced pup.

Education:no requirementsEmployment Type: PART_TIME

What Dogtopia employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply