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Grooming Trainee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Barkbus

Pet Bather/Pet Groomer Trainee

Irvine, CA · On-site

$20 - $26/hr

About Us Barkbus is the nation's premier mobile grooming service, passionately committed to the ... As a Pet Stylist Trainee , you'll start in our training salon, refining your bathing skills and ...

Groombuggy Inc.

Pet Bather/Pet Groomer Trainee

Irvine, CA · On-site

$20 - $26/hr

About Us Barkbus is the nation's premier mobile grooming service, passionately committed to the ... As a Pet Stylist Trainee , you'll start in our training salon, refining your bathing skills and ...

Bark & Mane of Westoplex

Pet Groomer Trainee

Fort Worth, TX · On-site

$1.3K - $1.6K/wk

Enjoy the independence of grooming in your own van while having a solid team supporting everything from scheduling to van maintenance. We're focused on building for the long-term by doing things the ...

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Grooming Trainee information

See salary details

$25.5K

$43.5K

$63.5K

How much do grooming trainee jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for grooming trainee in the United States is $43,530.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33,000.00 and $51,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Grooming Trainee, you need basic knowledge of animal care, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn, typically supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with grooming tools such as clippers, shears, brushes, and pet bathing systems is important, and some employers may require completion of a grooming apprenticeship or certification course. Patience, strong communication, and a gentle approach with animals are key soft skills that help trainees build trust with pets and clients. These abilities ensure safety, quality grooming results, and positive customer experiences in a service-oriented environment.

What is the difference between Grooming Trainee vs Grooming Technician?

AspectGrooming TraineeGrooming Technician
CertificationsBasic grooming courses, on-the-job trainingAdvanced grooming certifications, experience
Work EnvironmentTraining salons, supervised settingsEstablished salons, independent work
Employer & Industry UsageEntry-level, grooming industry beginnersProfessional grooming services, industry standard

The main difference is that a Grooming Trainee is in training, gaining foundational skills under supervision, while a Grooming Technician is a certified professional with more experience and independence in grooming pets. Trainees focus on learning, whereas technicians perform grooming services independently.

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

As a Grooming Trainee, one common challenge is getting comfortable handling nervous or uncooperative animals while ensuring their safety and comfort. Building trust with pets takes patience, gentle handling, and clear communication with pet owners about the animal's temperament. Another challenge is mastering the variety of grooming tasks, such as bathing, brushing, nail trimming, and using grooming equipment safely. Consistent practice, asking for feedback from experienced groomers, and staying up-to-date on best practices can help trainees overcome these hurdles and grow in their role.

What is a grooming trainee?

Grooming trainees are individuals who are learning the skills and techniques required to professionally groom animals, typically pets like dogs and cats. They work under the supervision of experienced groomers to gain hands-on experience in tasks such as bathing, brushing, trimming fur, cleaning ears, and clipping nails. Grooming trainees often participate in formal training programs or apprenticeships and gradually take on more responsibilities as they develop their skills and confidence. Their goal is to become certified or fully qualified pet groomers, able to provide safe and high-quality care for animals.
What cities are hiring for Grooming Trainee jobs? Cities with the most Grooming Trainee job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Grooming jobs? The most popular types of Grooming jobs are:
What states have the most Grooming Trainee jobs? States with the most job openings for Grooming Trainee jobs include:
Grooming Trainee jobs near you
Infographic showing various Grooming Trainee job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 59% Full Time, 39% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,530 per year, or $20.9 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 23 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.