How much do dog groomers make?
Updated
Dog groomers in the U.S. typically earn roughly $35,000 to $60,000 a year as employees, while self employed and mobile groomers who own their client book often earn more, commonly $60,000 to $100,000+, depending on location, appointment volume, and pricing. Income is driven far more by how many dogs you groom and what you charge than by job title.
Employed groomers are usually paid an hourly wage or a commission split (often somewhere around 40 to 60 percent of the service price), sometimes with a base guarantee. That structure puts most salon employees in the midfive figure range, with top earners pushing higher through tips, add on services, and speed. Benefits and a steady client flow are the tradeoff for the lower ceiling.
Self employed and mobile groomers keep the full service price but cover their own expenses, supplies, insurance, software, and a van if they are mobile. The ceiling is much higher because there is no split, and mobile groomers in particular command premium prices for the convenience. The realistic range for an established independent is roughly $60,000 to over $100,000, scaling with how many appointments fit in a day and how prices are set.
The two levers you actually control are volume and price. Reducing no shows, adding profitable upsells like nail or teeth services, and raising rates without losing clients each move income more than switching employers. The income and commission calculators below let you model your own numbers, and the salary guide breaks the figures down by region and experience.
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More answers
How much does pet grooming software cost?
Dog grooming software costs between $9 and $239 per month in 2026. Groomer specific tools: GroomBoard $9 to $39 per month with 100 to 600 texts included, Groomsoft $29.95 to $39.90 with 100 free texts then prepaid packs, MoeGo $49 to $239 per van or location with texts capped by tier. Facility platforms such as Gingr run $109 to $179 plus setup fees. The monthly total is usually higher than the sticker price once text packs and setup fees are added.
Does dog grooming software work with Square?
Some grooming software integrates with Square and GroomBoard does not. GroomBoard has no Square connection: it does not read Square transactions, push appointments into Square, or settle payments through a Square account. Most groomers who use both keep Square at the counter for card payments and run bookings, pet records, and reminder texts in GroomBoard. Square Appointments on its own is $0, $49, or $149 per location per month and has no pet profiles.
Is there free dog grooming software?
Yes. As of October 2026, ShakeYourTail, Tuft, Doxford and Square Appointments each have a free plan that never expires, and Koalendar works as a free generic scheduler. Every one of them drops SMS reminders or caps your client list, and two tools that show up in "free grooming software" lists, GrooMore and Cuddles, only offer a trial. GroomBoard is not free: Starter is $9 a month with 100 texts included, after a 7 day trial with no card.
What software do dog groomers use?
Dog groomers use grooming specific business software to handle online booking, calendar scheduling, client and pet records, and automated SMS reminders. Common options include GroomBoard, MoeGo, Gingr, DaySmart Pet, and Groomsoft, and independent or mobile groomers often choose a lighter, flat priced tool like GroomBoard from $9/month.