On a global scale, 2020 was arguably the worst year we’ve lived through in decades. But now that a new year has begun, there’s hope that the next twelve months will be more forgiving, more positive, and filled with more opportunities for growth. If one of your goals for 2021 is to start your dream job as a professional dog groomer, you’re likely excited but also wondering, “What sort of salary can I expect to make?”
Before We Begin…
It’s important that we make this very clear: the projected average salaries we’re going to discuss are in no way set in stone. If we learned nothing else last year, it’s that life can be extremely unpredictable. Unfortunately, we cannot know for certain whether these numbers will prove to hold up, be less, or even be more than predicted. Only time will tell!
Secondly, it’s important to remember is that a dog groomer’s salary is very fluid and based on a number of factors. Even two groomers living within the same town can make two vastly different incomes! In a profession such as this, there are a lot of things that YOU can do to directly impact your dog groomer salary, increase your earnings, and better your bottom line.
But we’ll talk more about that later!
Global Predictions for the Dog Groomer Salary in 2021
We should probably point out that your dog groomer salary over the course of 2021 will obviously be affected by the hours you work. Logically, part-time groomers will make less than full-time ones.
The following projections are based on recent data, the salaries of individuals living within that specific demographic, income made last year, and other influencing variables. With that in mind, these are the anticipated average hourly wages for dog groomers in 2021, based on country:
- United States: An average of approx. $16.48 USD/hour
- Canada: An average of approx. $14 CAD/hour
- United Kingdom: Approx. £10.66 GBP/hour
- New Zealand: $20.41 NZD/hour
- Australia: $28.29 AUD/hour
Keep in Mind…
The above projections aren’t a one-size-fits-all sort of deal. There are LOTS of dog groomers who will make more than this in 2021. This is because, as I mentioned above, there are a number of influencing elements that also need to be taken into consideration.
So, let’s look at a few of them, shall we?
3 Factors that Can Impact Your Dog Groomer Salary
1. Your Location
Where you live can play a direct role in how much you make. For instance, groomers living in a major city will likely have countless competitors. As such, the going rate will often be a bit higher. In this sort of case, a dog groomer could potentially wind up making a higher salary than a groomer living in the boonies.
That being said, there can also be perks to working within a small town. If your area needs groomers, but there aren’t many options to choose from, you can definitely profit by offering your services in a less competitive market. Since your clients will have fewer (to no) alternatives, you’ll not only have dibs on the client base – you might even be able to charge a little more for your services, since you’ll be considered a rare commodity!
At the end of the day, your location will always come with its own set of pros and cons. The key is how you use your situation to your advantage!
2. Your Qualifications
If a client has to pick between a dog groomer who’s been properly trained and certified, versus someone who has not, they will ALWAYS choose the person with the stronger qualifications. After all, why shouldn’t they? They love their dog. It only makes sense that they’d want to make sure whoever looks after them will keep them safe and treat them right.
If the only experience on your resume is that you’ve groomed your own dog at home, that isn’t going to be enough. I guarantee that you will make a substantially smaller salary than a dog groomer with an impressive resume, stacked with reputable certifications.
Remember: a hobby is not the same as a career – and a career comes with the necessary training. Only then can you truly be great at what you do and provide your clientele with peace of mind that they’ve chosen the best of the best!
3. Your Services
Whether you work within an established salon or start your own business, the number of grooming services you can offer will impact the number of jobs you can take on – which ultimately means a higher dog groomer salary for you. Additionally, if you know that you have a special talent for certain services, don’t be afraid to go above and beyond to showcase those specific skills.
The best kind of dog groomer is one who is not only a Jack of all trades, but an actual master of them, too!
Note: With that in mind, know where to draw the line. Never offer a service that you know you’re weak in. For instance, if you know you’re not great at grooming Poodles, don’t accept bookings to groom Poodles. It’s better to be upfront and honest to a client than it is to accept their money and give them bad results.
3 Ways to Increase Your Dog Groomer Salary in 2021
1. Adapt to the Pandemic!
What if grooming salons have to close down, or the pandemic is severely limiting your bookings?
Take your business mobile!
These days, mobile dog grooming is a popular option for pet owners looking for a convenient way to have their dogs groomed, without having to physically travel to the groomer. As a mobile dog groomer, you’ll go to them!
Not only can this option allow you to continue operating and booking appointments fairly regularly – you’ll likely be able to charge more for your mobile services, too, since they’ll be considered a hotter commodity!
Want to learn about some of the pros and cons to being a mobile groomer? Keep reading here!
2. Strengthen Your Online Presence!
Most of us were already spending a lot of time online, even before the pandemic. But since COVID-19 began, the world is living online now more than ever. So, make sure you’re getting seen!
Work on your social media channels by regularly posting unique content that best reflects your brand, mission, business goals, and most importantly, who you are. Build an official website for your business, or polish the website you already have so everything is current and accurate. Go over your online portfolio and make sure the images representing your work are of the best quality.
The better your online presence is, the more exposure you can get for your business. This, in turn, can wind up attracting all sorts of new clients, which will positively impact your dog groomer salary.
3. Get Professionally Certified!
As I discussed earlier, you’re guaranteed to book more clients and increase your profits if you have reputable training and qualifications to your name. A proper education is always going to be a sound investment that will pay back its worth tenfold, for the rest of your career! Take your training one step further by adding a First Aid certification to your resume, too.
This way, you’ll truly be a dog grooming expert and your client will never have any doubts that their dog is truly in the right hands!
Pro Tip: Thinking of pursuing your professional training online, rather than in-person? Here are 5 reasons why online schooling is the way to go!
Here’s to 2021 and the promise of better things to come. With the right mindset, the right preparation, and the right strategies, you can pursue the career of your dreams this year and earn a great dog groomer salary to boot!
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