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Dog Grooming Trainee information

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$29

$40

How much do dog grooming trainee jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for dog grooming trainee in the United States is $29.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.04 and $34.86 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Dog Grooming Trainees?

Dog Grooming Trainees are individuals who are learning the skills necessary to professionally groom dogs. They typically work under the supervision of experienced groomers, assisting with bathing, brushing, nail trimming, and other grooming tasks while receiving hands-on training. This role helps trainees develop expertise in animal handling, grooming techniques, and safety procedures. Over time, Dog Grooming Trainees may become certified groomers and take on more responsibilities. The position is ideal for those who love animals and are interested in a career in pet care.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Dog Grooming Trainee, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Dog Grooming Trainee, you need basic animal handling skills, attention to detail, and a genuine interest in animal care, with a high school diploma often required. Familiarity with grooming tools such as clippers, shears, and dryers, along with safety protocols, is typically taught on the job, though certification from grooming schools can be beneficial. Patience, strong communication, and a calm demeanor are important soft skills for building trust with pets and interacting with pet owners. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring animal safety, delivering quality grooming services, and creating positive customer experiences.

What are some common challenges faced by dog grooming trainees, and how can they be overcome?

Dog grooming trainees often face challenges such as handling anxious or uncooperative dogs, mastering grooming tools, and learning breed-specific grooming standards. It's important to remain patient, observant, and gentle with each animal to build trust and ensure safety. Seeking feedback from experienced groomers, enrolling in hands-on training programs, and practicing regularly can help trainees develop the necessary skills and confidence to overcome these initial obstacles.

What is the difference between Dog Grooming Trainee vs Dog Groomer?

AspectDog Grooming TraineeDog Groomer
CertificationsOften in training, may have beginner certificationsCertified or experienced professional
Work ExperienceOn-the-job training, limited experienceExperienced with grooming techniques
Work EnvironmentSupervised grooming salons, training settingsIndependent grooming salons, pet stores
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting, learning grooming skillsPerforming grooming services independently

The main difference between a Dog Grooming Trainee and a Dog Groomer is experience and responsibility level. Trainees are in training, assisting with grooming tasks, while groomers are fully qualified professionals performing grooming services independently.

More about Dog Grooming Trainee jobs
What cities are hiring for Dog Grooming Trainee jobs? Cities with the most Dog Grooming Trainee job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Dog Grooming jobs? The most popular types of Dog Grooming jobs are:
What states have the most Dog Grooming Trainee jobs? States with the most job openings for Dog Grooming Trainee jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Dog Grooming Trainee jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Dog Grooming Trainee jobs are:
Dog Grooming Trainee jobs near you
Infographic showing various Dog Grooming Trainee job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,079 per year, or $29.4 per hour.

Dog Grooming Trainee

Bark & Mane of Greater Memphis and West TN

Memphis, TN • On-site

$800 - $1.1K/wk

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Benefits:
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Training & development
  • Vision insurance
  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Bonus based on performance
  • Dental insurance

Paid Training | 4 Day Work Week | Work with Dogs
Love dogs but stuck in a job that doesn’t feel like a career?
At Bark & Mane of Greater Memphis, formerly Aussie Pet Mobile, we train motivated people to become professional pet groomers. No grooming experience is required. If you are reliable, coachable, comfortable with dogs, and ready to learn a hands-on skill, this could be a great career path.
Many of our groomers came from customer service, restaurants, retail, daycare, veterinary clinics, and other jobs before building successful grooming careers with us.
Why People Like This Role

• Paid training to become a professional pet groomer
• 4 day work week once training is complete
• Work independently during the day with support from our office team
• Tips and performance based bonus opportunities
• Health, dental, vision, PTO, paid holidays, and 401k with company match
• A career skill that can provide strong long term earning potential
What You Will Do

After training, you will travel to clients’ homes in a company grooming vehicle and groom dogs one on one. Our dispatch team handles scheduling, route planning, and customer support so you can focus on the pets, the clients, and the quality of your work.
This is an active job. You will stand, bend, lift, clean, drive between appointments, communicate with clients, and safely handle dogs of different sizes and temperaments.
What To Expect

Training is paid, and training schedules may differ from the regular groomer schedule. Once you are trained and running appointments, groomers generally work 4 days per week, including Saturdays.
After training, compensation is commission based with tips and bonus opportunities. Established full time groomers on our team commonly earn approximately $60,000 to $90,000 per year including tips, depending on performance, availability, speed, and the client base they build. Individual earnings are not guaranteed.
We provide a professional starter grooming tool kit, with repayment handled over time during the first several months. Full details are reviewed during the hiring process.
This Job Is A Good Fit For Someone Who

• Loves dogs and wants to work with animals every day
• Is reliable and shows up consistently
• Communicates well with clients and teammates
• Can work independently without being micromanaged
• Is comfortable driving a company vehicle
• Wants feedback, training, and a long term career path
• Understands that grooming is physical, detailed, hands on work
If you want to learn a skilled trade, work with dogs, and build a stable career with strong earning potential, apply today to become a Dog Grooming Trainee.