The job of a dog groomer in Indiana can be a successful one and it’s one that almost anyone can have access to.
Read on to find out what education you need and some of the possible workplaces!
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Dog Groomer Job Description and Duties in Indiana
Of course, you can’t know if you want to have a job you don’t really know what entails.
These are the main services you’ll have to provide:
- Cutting, clipping, and styling a dog’s coat
- Bathing dogs
- Clipping a dog’s nails
- Interacting with dog owners
- Knowing the hygienic care for each dog breed
- Teeth brushing
- Knowing how to restrain animals
- Calming the dogs
- Identify problem areas
You’ll also be responsible for the following tasks:
- Cleaning and maintenance of your workplace
- Cleaning and maintaining your tools
- Knowing which tools to use for what task
- Safely operating the tools
- Staying updated with styling trends
- Staying informed on the industry changes
Depending on where you work, you may be assigned other duties as well.
Dog Groomer Job Requirements in Indiana
Since each job has an ideal candidate, you need to know what kind of employees most of the facilities seek.
A person who loves animals and, in particular dogs, is the main trait that doesn’t even need to be mentioned.
Since you’ll interact a lot with pet owners as well as co-workers, having good communication skills is vital in this field.
Empathy and patience are also very important because some animals may be more fearful while at times, it’s the owners who don’t feel comfortable with parting with the pets.
These two traits will also help you stay calm and thus be able to better control an otherwise nervous or skittish pet.
You’ll often have to lift larger or heavier dogs, so make sure you can do that.
The ability to stand for a couple of hours at a time is important as well.
You might have to get an antirabies vaccine as well or prove you’re completely healthy.
Make sure this is something you’re willing to do too.
Dog Groomers’ Education and Certification in Indiana
One of the best aspects about being a pet stylist in Indiana is that you don’t even need to have a high school diploma or a GED to get hired for the position.
Showing some diplomas proving your education will definitely make you a more valuable candidate when applying for a position.
Degrees are needed only by those who want to transition into the animal healthcare field.
Dog Groomers’ Education
Most dog groomers in Indiana enroll in training courses that have a duration of about two months.
The programs can be attended both in-person and online, depending on the provider.
You will have to find a program with enough hands-on practice hours, as this is the basis of the job.
Most of the programs follow this structure:
- Introduction to Pet Grooming
- Introduction to Dogs and Cats
- Pre-Grooming Procedures
- Dog Grooming, Part 1
- Dog Grooming, Part 2
- Dog Grooming, Part 3
- Dog Personalities and Behavior
- Cat Grooming
- Business Practices
Keep in mind that most pet salons offer services to cats as well, thus knowing how to groom cats is important.
Dog Groomers’ Certification
It is normal to have to take an exam once the training is over.
Those who pass the exams, obtain diplomas.
Dog groomers can further get certified by participating in special intensive classes and workshops.
All these documents can make their future career more worthwhile.
Keep in mind that if you want to run a pet salon, you’ll need a business license.
Usually, this license is obtained after passing the jurisprudence exam, but you need to ask your local authorities for more details.
Dog Groomers’ Employment and Salary in Indiana
These are the main places where you can work as a dog groomer:
- Dog rescues
- Veterinary clinics
- Pet grooming salons
- Pet shops
- Dog daycare centers
Besides these options, you can still find other venues where your skills can be useful or even other employers that are less common to see.
As you can imagine, these employers, their location, and even the number of hours you work will come with a different salary.
If you work as self-employed in this field, your salary could be lower.
Regardless, this table will show you the average salary in 10 major cities in Indiana.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Dog Groomers in Indiana
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Indianapolis | $34,901 |
| Fort Wayne | $33,501 |
| Evansville | $33,901 |
| South Bend | $33,801 |
| Gary | $36,101 |
| Hammond | $36,101 |
| Bloomington | $33,001 |
| Muncie | $33,101 |
| Anderson | $33,201 |
| Terre Haute | $32,901 |
Regional Salary in Indiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IN | 120 | $30,350 | $14.59 | $42,540 | $21,590 |
| Columbus, IN | 60 | $26,360 | $12.68 | $35,800 | $19,130 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | 100 | $28,120 | $13.52 | $37,420 | $22,430 |
| Evansville, IN-KY | 340 | $28,280 | $13.59 | $42,280 | $18,630 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 320 | $28,470 | $13.69 | $36,650 | $21,570 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN | 2,430 | $29,760 | $14.31 | $41,990 | $21,870 |
| Kokomo, IN | 40 | $32,090 | $15.43 | $46,190 | $21,830 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | 230 | $28,880 | $13.89 | $41,960 | $21,310 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | 90 | $28,080 | $13.5 | $44,050 | $20,910 |
| Muncie, IN | 170 | $28,330 | $13.62 | $37,290 | $21,830 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | 140 | $31,440 | $15.11 | $45,660 | $21,670 |
| Terre Haute, IN | 120 | $26,240 | $12.62 | $37,700 | $17,620 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Dog Groomers in Indiana
We presented you with the steps to become a pet stylist, but you may want to read industry-related news.
The following organizations can help you in that regard:
- Indiana Dog Grooming Directory
- Indiana Dog Resources
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
- National Dog Groomers Association of America
Through these associations, you can also find more job opportunities as well as further ways to improve your skills.
