Being a dog groomer in Washington means you have a rewarding occupation.
This job is for someone who likes working with their hands and also loves animals.
Read this guide to learn more about being a pet stylist and what do you have to become one!
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Dog Groomer Job Description and Duties in Washington
So, what is the job of a dog stylist all about?
To start, he’s in charge of two types of activities:
- Directly involving animals
- Administrative tasks
Here are the activities that are directly related to the animals visiting the salon:
- 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
These tasks relate to the administrative aspect of the job:
- Cleaning and maintenance of the 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
Like with most other occupations and jobs, you might have to take care of other tasks not mentioned above.
Dog Groomer Job Requirements in Washington
Naturally, you’ll also have to meet some requirements when applying for a pet grooming position.
Here are the most commonly seen requirements:
- Being over 18 years of age
- Having a high school diploma or GED
- Having some experience in working with animals
- Clean criminal record
- Getting the vaccine against rabies
One of the most important aspects to note is that you don’t a degree.
Your personality is more important, therefore, you need to be a person with:
- Patience
- Kindness
- Empathy
- Calm
- Attention to details
- Good communication skills
- Physically strong
- Self-control
Some pet owners are more difficult and at times their companions can be difficult.
All the traits above will help you handle all these various situations.
Dog Groomers’ Education and Certification in Washington
As already mentioned, you don’t need a degree to work in Washington as a pet stylist.
Additionally, a certificate is also not needed, but it will help you tremendously.
Dog Groomers’ Education
Not everyone knows how to style an animal, and a training course is very helpful to learn the correct techniques.
When searching for a program, look for these two aspects:
- Accreditation from the National Dog Groomers Association of America
- Plenty of practice hours
The accredited classes are recognized across the nation, therefore those are the best to attend.
You’ll graduate in about two months, thus you can start working quite fast.
The tuition is not high, but if you can pay it in full, you may receive a discount.
Most training programs have 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
Dog Groomers’ Certification
It’s natural to have to pass a test before earning the certification.
You need to check with the institution that issued your diploma on its renewal aspect.
This could be done yearly, or every other year, you’ll need to request it and pay a fee.
Keep in mind that you can even continue your education and earn more diplomas which are good for your career.
Those who want to run a pet grooming salon will need a business license and possibly a permit to sell goods as well.
Dog Groomers’ Employment and Salary in Washington
The following establishments are the ones needing dog groomers the most:
- Dog rescues
- Veterinary clinics
- Pet grooming salons
- Pet shops
- Dog daycare centers
What you may not be aware of is that there are many types of employment for this job.
This aspect will have a great impact on how much you’ll earn, as well as your experience will.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Dog Groomers in Washington
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Seattle | $39,201 |
| Spokane | $34,601 |
| Tacoma | $38,001 |
| Vancouver | $37,101 |
| Bellevue | $39,201 |
| Everett | $38,401 |
| Federal Way | $38,001 |
| Kent | $37,901 |
| Yakima | $35,501 |
| Bellingham | $36,601 |
Regional Salary in Washington
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | 220 | $36,230 | $17.42 | $48,370 | $30,140 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale, WA | 240 | $37,320 | $17.94 | $48,560 | $31,160 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 160 | $39,000 | $18.75 | $50,360 | $30,630 |
| Longview, WA | 60 | $36,470 | $17.53 | $47,310 | $30,140 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 130 | $38,330 | $18.43 | $50,860 | $30,140 |
| Olympia-Tumwater, WA | 260 | $38,020 | $18.28 | $49,450 | $30,710 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 4,250 | $41,150 | $19.79 | $54,610 | $33,010 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 450 | $35,960 | $17.29 | $47,640 | $30,140 |
| Walla Walla, WA | 30 | $36,120 | $17.36 | $52,190 | $30,180 |
| Wenatchee, WA | 60 | $35,050 | $16.85 | $46,130 | $30,140 |
| Yakima, WA | 80 | $36,770 | $17.68 | $47,260 | $30,160 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Dog Groomers in Washington
These places have resources when it comes to both extra classes and finding a job:
- National Dog Groomers Association of America
- Pet Groomer Washington
- International Professional Groomers
- The National Association of Professional Creative Groomers
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
NDGAA requires you to become a member if you take their exam.
