Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a good dog groomer?
There are a lot of qualifications, but the most important one is to be an animal lover.
If you’re not a dog person, you won’t be comfortable working with them much.
And dogs require special care from loving and patient hands.
Delaware is in constant search of new and talented dog groomers.
So if you’re from this state, you may want to continue reading, especially if you’re searching for a new career path.
It’s a fun career that brings about many benefits to you.
Here’s what you need to know about this popular career.
Table of Contents
Daily Duties of a Dog Groomer
Deciding to be a dog groomer isn’t boring, as if you’re stuck in the office.
It’s a flexible career that takes serious work commitment.
You may have to cater to pet owners’ demands from time to time, but your priority is the dog.
To make them clean, healthy, and most of all, fabulous!
So here’s what you’re usually going to be doing every day:
- Cutting dog’s coat
- Style them
- Bathe them
- Clip their nails
- Clean their ears
Note, however, that some dogs sometimes get hyperactive or anxious.
So having a repertoire of calming techniques is handy to help you make them relaxed.
Now that you have a general idea of what a groomer does, let’s see how you can become one.
Education and Licensing
Delaware has many programs to offer aspiring dog groomers.
Enrolling in these programs not only trains you to become skilled and knowledgeable but also boosts your chances for higher pay.
Aside from that, although not mandatory, owning a license or certification can benefit you career-wise.
The National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA) has certification programs available.
You may choose either a:
- Certified Dog Groomer program
- Master Dog Groomer program
Here you’ll gain further knowledge and insights on:
- Dog breeds, personalities, and behavior
- Grooming techniques and their proper usage
- Industry news and trends
For example, calming an anxious dog.
They’ll teach you how to manage and to calm them, making them understand who’s in charge.
To graduate, you have to:
- Attend and complete the training workshop
- Pass the practical application tests and certification exam
Afterward, you’ll be a recognized professional in the grooming industry.
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Did you know that Delaware is a fertile ground for the grooming business?
This is why aspiring dog groomers won’t have any problems finding a job in this state.
There are plenty of places you work at, like:
- Pet clinics
- Pet stores
- Humane societies
- Animal shelters
- Private businesses
Not every groomer wants to work for the pay.
Some simply prefer to help dogs in need because it’s their calling—their advocacy.
So volunteering in animal shelters and clinics suits them.
And this is the beauty of this career—it’s very rewarding.
You just need to figure out where you feel most comfortable.
Plus, no one’s saying you need to stick with one place forever.
Explore the job market, see where you fit in the most.
At the end of the day, the only important thing is providing care to dogs.
Potential Pay in Delaware
According to Salary.com, the average annual salary in Delaware is $37,401 as of December 2021.
Salaries vary from town to town, usually ranging from $30,601 to $46,701 a year.
The table below shows how much money you’ll receive if you belong to a certain percentile.
| Percentile | Salary |
| 10% | $24,410 |
| 25% | $30,601 |
| 50% | $37,401 |
| 75% | $46,701 |
| 90% | $55,168 |
Do note that your salary will depend on:
- Skills and qualifications
- Education
- Industry experience
So, with some basic grooming training, you can earn a pretty good income.
It will be much more if you’ve upgraded your skillset and have extensive experience.
Below, we provided you with the potential annual salary you’re going to earn in Delaware.
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Bear, DE | $35,913 |
| Bethany Beach, DE | $35,987 |
| Bethel, DE | $35,147 |
| Bridgeville, DE | $35,887 |
| Camden Wyoming, DE | $35,842 |
| Cheswold, DE | $35,824 |
| Claymont, DE | $35,954 |
| Clayton, DE | $35,811 |
| Dagsboro, DE | $35,987 |
| Delaware City, DE | $35,927 |
| Delmar, DE | $35,147 |
| Dover, DE | $35,836 |
| Dover Afb, DE | $35,848 |
| Ellendale, DE | $35,887 |
| Felton, DE | $35,887 |
| Fenwick Island, DE | $35,987 |
| Frankford, DE | $35,987 |
| Federica, DE | $35,887 |
| Georgetown, DE | $35,887 |
| Greenwood, DE | $35,887 |
| Haberson, DE | $35,887 |
| Harrington, DE | $35,887 |
| Hartly, DE | $35,728 |
| Hockessin, DE | $35,954 |
| Houston, DE | $35,887 |
| Kenton, DE | $35,811 |
| Kirkwood, DE | $35,927 |
| Laurel, DE | $35,147 |
| Lewes, DE | $35,887 |
| Lincoln, DE | $35,887 |
| Little Creek, DE | $35,838 |
| Magnolia, DE | $35,860 |
| Marydel, DE | $35,819 |
| Middletown. DE | $35,809 |
| Milford, DE | $35,887 |
| Millsboro, DE | $35,887 |
| Millville, DE | $35,987 |
| Milton, DE | $35,887 |
| Montchanin, DE | $35,954 |
| Nassau, DE | $35,887 |
| New Castle, DE | $35,954 |
| Newark, DE | $35,927 |
| Ocean View, DE | $35,987 |
| Odessa, DE | $35,855 |
| Port Penn, DE | $35,833 |
| Rehoboth Beach, DE | $35,987 |
| Rockland, DE | $35,954 |
| Saint Georges, DE | $35,927 |
| Seaford, DE | $35,147 |
| Selbyville, DE | $35,987 |
| Smyrna, DE | $35,814 |
| Townsend, DE | $35,809 |
| Viola, DE | $35,860 |
| Wilmington, DE | $35,954 |
| Winterthur, DE | $35,954 |
| Woodside, DE | $35,854 |
| Yorklyn, DE | $35,954 |
Regional Salary in Delaware
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, DE | 140 | $30,920 | $14.87 | $38,030 | $24,440 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Helpful Resources
Learning doesn’t stop after completing a grooming program.
In this industry, new trends are born every day.
So it’s best to keep yourself up to date with the latest news and trends.
Most especially ones involving skills improvement.
After all, you don’t want to be that groomer who’s unable to deliver a client’s demands for a special cut.
That’s why investing in knowledge is your smartest choice.
It can help open a lot of opportunities and possibilities for you.
And with Delaware being a dog-loving community, a fresh face like you will be most welcomed.
Here are some websites you can visit from time to time:
- NDGAA for training workshops and educational and career resources
- Delaware Humane Association for volunteer work
- Dog Groomers.com – Delaware Chapter for community support
Final Words
No matter what others tell you, dog grooming is a serious business.
Yes, dog clients are adorable, and the job tends to be more relaxing than others.
But never forget the fact that you have a lot of responsibilities on your hands.
From taking good care of tail-wagging customers to managing appointments and schedules.
And Delaware’s a good place to start a dog grooming career with its dog-friendly environment.
Just ask your friends and you’ll know it’s true!
How to Become a Dog/Pet Groomer by State