How to Become a Dog Groomer in Illinois

a groomed dog is a happy dog

A dog groomer has a unique job description with rewarding aspects.

This career is on rising demand in recent years, and it won’t change anytime soon.

But why is it so?

Well, our dog friends need proper grooming to maintain their good health status.

Grooming isn’t a luxury; it’s a need that can’t be ignored.

So if you want to be a dog groomer in Illinois, then here’s how you can get started.

What Does a Dog Groomer Do?

Don’t be fooled by the fact dog grooming is something everyone could do.

It’s still a serious career with lots of responsibilities and tasks.

We can divide the groomer’s duties into three categories:

  • Technical tasks
  • Social tasks
  • Grooming process

Technical Tasks

Under technical tasks are those that you need to do before and after tending to a dog.

This involves preparing, cleaning, and sanitizing the workstation and tools and equipment used.

Social Tasks

Social tasks are those where your communication skills come to shine.

It can be equated to “customer service” where you need to make a good connection with clients.

That is, it involves:

  • Talking to and advising clients
  • Scheduling appointments

Grooming Process

Hygienic care is another important component of a dog groomer’s job description.

Before bathing and clipping, you must make sure the dog doesn’t have any skin conditions or infections.

If you notice something wrong, notify the owner immediately.

This way, you can prevent serious problems that may occur on the dog’s skin, coat, ear, eyes, and nails.

Speaking of nails, it’s important to clip them since overgrown nails are painful to dogs.

As a beginner, this process may appear overwhelming, but with time, you can master it.

How to calm a dog, tend to one, and make both the owner and the dog happy will be a piece of cake in no time.

Grooming Techniques

In the course of dog grooming, you’ll use techniques to properly groom dogs, including:

  • Clipping
  • Cutting
  • Bathing
  • Drying
  • Styling

These are basic and essential grooming methods, but there are special and advanced ones as well.

Two of them are hand-stripping and hand-scissoring.

For example, in hand-scissoring, you’ll remove some of the dog’s coat and give it depth and layers.

Both methods are useful and painless ways to make a dog look fresh and healthy.

Also, unique styling methods are used when a dog owner demands a more distinctive look for their tail-wagging friend.

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Education and Training in Illinois

learning to be a dog groomer in illinois

It doesn’t matter if you’re a young adult or a mature individual.

It doesn’t even matter if you got a high school diploma or a GED equivalent.

People of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to enroll in any dog grooming school in Illinois.

Every school expects you to behave accordingly and professionality.

That is, you must complete the required coursework and hands-on practices as per their curriculum.

Afterward, you can take their exam to become a certified professional.

Job Opportunities in Illinois

When it comes to dog grooming, finding a job and keeping it won’t be a problem.

That’s because Illinois offers plenty of job opportunities for future dog groomers.

In fact, the market in bigger cities like Chicago is quite diverse.

The equation is simple: big city + dog groomer = many job openings and a better paycheck.

You can apply for a job in any of these facilities:

  • Dog kennels
  • Animal shelters
  • Pet stores
  • Vet clinics
  • Grooming salons
  • Private businesses

It’s up to you to choose where you see yourself working in the future.

Many dog groomers find joy in working with sheltered dogs.

Others prefer to start their career by establishing a personal business.

Either way, you’re good as long as you’re helping dogs and feeling great about yourself.

Potential Salary in Illinois

Your salary as a dog groomer in Illinois depends on:

  • Education
  • Level of experience
  • Place you’re working at

Big city dog groomers earn a bigger annual salary than their colleagues in smaller communities.

According to Salary.com, you can expect to earn an average of $36,701 annually as of February 2022.

And if you’re a well-established dog groomer, you can earn somewhere between $30,001 and $45,801.

Here’s the salary percentile for your reference.

Percentile Salary
10% $23,901
25% $30,001
50% $36,701
75% $45,801
90% $54,086

If you want to know the salary in your city or area, then feel free to check the salary table below.

Average Annual Salary by Location

Location Avg. Annual Salary
Abingdon, IL $31,880
Adair, IL $32,436
Addieville, IL $32,894
Addison, IL $35,757
Akin, IL $31,499
Albany, IL $31,110
Albers, IL $32,894
Albion, IL $30,868
Alden, IL $33,330
Aledo, IL $31,116
Alexander, IL $30,926
Alexis, IL $31,094
Algonquin, IL $34,414
Alhambra, IL $32,894
Allendale, IL $30,463
Allerton, IL $31,295
Alma, IL $31,611
Alpha, IL $31,118
Alsey, IL $30,886
Alsip, IL $35,811
Altamont, IL $30,844
Alto Pass, IL $32,894
Alton, IL $33,002
Altona, IL $31,296
Alvin, IL $31,439
Amboy, IL $33,619
Anchor, IL $31,439
Ancona, IL $32,436
Andalusia, IL $31,122
Andover, IL $31,002
Anna, IL $31,479
Annapolis, IL $30,566
Annawan, IL $31,085
Antioch, IL $33,160
Apple River, IL $33,246
Arcola, IL $31,405
Arenzville, IL $30,886
Argenta, IL $31,343
Arlington, IL $33,027
Arlington Heights, IL $34,954
Armington, IL $31,971
Armstrong, IL $31,452
Aroma Park, IL $33,345
Arrowsmith, IL $31,439
Arthur, IL $31,439
Ashkum, IL $32,392
Ashland, IL $30,967
Ashley, IL $32,894
Ashmore, IL $30,951
Ashton, IL $33,619
Assumption, IL $30,886
Astoria, IL $30,886
Athens, IL $31,061
Atkinson, IL $31,094
Atlanta, IL $31,780
Atwood, IL $31,439
Auburn, IL $30,994
Augusta, IL $31,661
Aurora, IL $35,554
Ava, IL $32,894
Aviston, IL $32,894
Avon, IL $32,436
Baileyville, IL $33,619
Baldwin, IL $32,436
Bardolph, IL $32,436
Barnhill, IL $31,499
Barrington, IL $34,736
Barry, IL $30,886
Barstow, IL $31,096
Bartelso, IL $32,894
Bartlett, IL $35,677
Basco, IL $31,329
Batavia, IL $35,677
Batchtown, IL $32,894
Bath, IL $31,375
Baylis, IL $30,886
Beardstown, IL $30,886
Beason, IL $31,403
Beaverville, IL $33,345
Beckemeyer, IL $32,894
Bedford Park, IL $35,865
Beecher, IL $34,081
Beecher City, IL $30,886
Belknap, IL $30,772
Belle Rive, IL $31,499
Belleville, IL $33,109
Bellflower, IL $31,493
Bellmont, IL $30,852
Bellwood, IL $35,852
Belvidere, IL $33,754
Bement, IL $31,479
Benld, IL $32,894
Bensenville, IL $35,798
Benson, IL $32,436
Benton, IL $31,499
Berkeley, IL $35,825
Berwick, IL $31,213
Berwyn, IL $35,879
Bethalto, IL $32,984
Bethany, IL $31,439
Big Rock, IL $34,854
Biggsville, IL $31,009
Bingham, IL $30,886
Bishop Hill, IL $31,214
Bismarck, IL $31,439
Blackstone, IL $32,436
Blandinsville, IL $31,440
Bloomingdale, IL $35,335
Bloomington, IL $32,173
Blue Island, IL $35,798
Blue Mound, IL $30,886
Bluff Springs, IL $30,886
Bluffs, IL $30,886
Bluford, IL $30,914
Boles, IL $30,772
Bolingbrook, IL $34,964
Bondville, IL $31,641
Bone Gap, IL $30,743
Bonfield, IL $33,345
Bonnie, IL $32,197
Boody, IL $30,915
Bourbonnais, IL $33,345
Bowen, IL $31,661
Braceville, IL $34,511
Bradford, IL $32,345
Bradley, IL $33,345
Braidwood, IL $34,511
Breese, IL $32,894
Bridgeport, IL $30,490
Bridgeview, IL $35,838
Brighton, IL $32,894
Brimfield, IL $32,530
Bristol, IL $35,677
Broadlands, IL $31,506
Broadview, IL $35,865
Brocton, IL $31,080
Brookfield, IL $35,865
Brookport, IL $30,044
Broughton, IL $31,499
Browning, IL $30,886
Browns, IL $30,877
Brownstown, IL $31,890
Brussels, IL $32,894
Bryant, IL $32,436
Buckingham, IL $33,345
Buckley, IL $31,439
Buckner, IL $32,197
Buda, IL $31,555
Buffalo, IL $31,034
Buffalo Grove, IL $34,728
Buffalo Prairie, IL $31,322
Bulpitt, IL $30,967
Buncombe, IL $30,772
Bunker Hill, IL $32,894
Burbank, IL $35,852
Bureau, IL $32,436
Burlington, IL $33,861
Burnt Prairie, IL $31,499
Bushnell, IL $32,436
Butler, IL $30,886
Byron, IL $33,767
Cabery, IL $32,392
Cairo, IL $30,044
Caledonia, IL $33,767
Calhoun, IL $30,328
Calumet City, IL $33,534
Camargo, IL $31,370
Cambria, IL $32,197
Cambridge, IL $31,118
Camden, IL $30,886
Cameron, IL $31,113
Camp Grove, IL $32,436
Camp Point, IL $30,886
Campbell Hill, IL $32,894
Campus, IL $33,487
Canton, IL $32,449
Cantrall, IL $31,088
Capron, IL $33,673
Carbon Cliff, IL $31,096
Carbondale, IL $32,197
Carlinville, IL $31,173
Carlock, IL $32,436
Carlyle, IL $32,894
Carman, IL $31,108
Carmi, IL $31,499
Carol Stream, IL $35,355
Carpentersville, IL $34,867
Carrier Mills, IL $31,499
Carrollton, IL $32,894
Carterville, IL $32,197
Carthage, IL $31,440
Cary, IL $34,295
Casey, IL $30,721
Caseyville, IL $33,163
Castleton, IL $32,362
Catlin, IL $31,279
Cave In Rock, IL $31,499
Cedar Point, IL $32,436
Cedarville, IL $33,619
Centralia, IL $32,894
Cerro Gordo, IL $31,412
Chadwick, IL $32,863
Chambersburg, IL $30,886
Champaign, IL $31,641
Chana, IL $33,660
Chandlerville, IL $30,886
Channahon, IL $34,977
Chapin, IL $30,886
Charleston, IL $30,990
Chatham, IL $31,088
Chatsworth, IL $31,439
Chebanse, IL $33,345
Chenoa, IL $32,436
Cherry, IL $32,436
Cherry Valley, IL $33,821
Chester, IL $32,894
Chesterfield, IL $31,967
Chestnut, IL $31,027
Chicago, IL $35,879
Chicago Heights, IL $33,453
Chicago Ridge, IL $35,825
Chillicothe, IL $32,543
Chrisman, IL $30,980
Christopher, IL $32,197
Cicero, IL $35,879
Cisco, IL $31,439
Cisne, IL $30,328
Cissna Park, IL $31,439
Clare, IL $33,633
Claremont, IL $30,328
Clarendon Hills, IL $35,784
Clay City, IL $30,328
Clayton, IL $30,886
Claytonville, IL $31,439
Clifton, IL $32,392
Clinton, IL $31,254
Coal City, IL $34,511
Coal Valley, IL $31,096
Coatsburg, IL $30,886
Cobden, IL $32,197
Coello, IL $32,894
Coffeen, IL $31,890
Colchester, IL $32,436
Colfax, IL $31,439
Collinsville, IL $33,145
Collison, IL $31,439
Colona, IL $31,096
Colp, IL $32,197
Columbia, IL $33,109
Colusa, IL $31,108
Compton, IL $33,619
Concord, IL $30,886
Congerville, IL $32,476
Cooksville, IL $31,581
Cordova, IL $31,029
Cornell, IL $32,436
Cornland, IL $31,007
Cortland, IL $33,619
Cottage Hills, IL $32,984
Coulterville, IL $32,894
Country Club Hills, IL $33,412
Cowden, IL $30,886
Creal Springs, IL $31,499
Crescent City, IL $31,439
Crest Hill, IL $34,837
Creston, IL $33,619
Crete, IL $33,439
Creve Coeur, IL $32,638
Cropsey, IL $31,439
Crossville, IL $31,312
Crystal Lake, IL $33,930
Cuba, IL $32,436
Cullom, IL $31,439
Cutler, IL $32,894
Cypress, IL $30,772
Dahinda, IL $31,769
Dahlgren, IL $31,499
Dakota, IL $33,647
Dale, IL $31,499
Dallas City, IL $31,108
Dalton City, IL $31,281
Dalzell, IL $32,436
Dana, IL $32,436
Danforth, IL $31,439
Danvers, IL $32,436
Danville, IL $31,359
Darien, IL $35,744
Davis, IL $33,727
Davis Junction, IL $33,767
Dawson, IL $31,075
De Land, IL $31,493
De Soto, IL $32,894
Decatur, IL $31,123
Deer Creek, IL $32,570
Deer Grove, IL $31,042
Deerfield, IL $34,724
Dekalb, IL $33,619
Delavan, IL $32,058
Dennison, IL $30,923
Depue, IL $32,436
Des Plaines, IL $35,784
Dewey, IL $31,600
Dewitt, IL $31,439
Dieterich, IL $30,328
Divernon, IL $30,994
Dix, IL $32,894
Dixon, IL $33,619
Dolton, IL $33,507
Dongola, IL $31,479
Donnellson, IL $32,894
Donovan, IL $33,345
Dorsey, IL $32,894
Dover, IL $31,665
Dow, IL $32,894
Dowell, IL $32,894
Downers Grove, IL $35,744
Downs, IL $31,771
Du Bois, IL $32,894
Du Quoin, IL $32,894
Dundas, IL $30,328
Dundee, IL $34,870
Dunfermline, IL $32,436
Dunlap, IL $32,597
Dupo, IL $33,163
Durand, IL $33,781
Dwight, IL $33,224
Eagarville, IL $32,559
Earlville, IL $33,619
East Alton, IL $33,019
East Carondelet, IL $33,163
East Dubuque, IL $31,229
East Galesburg, IL $31,392
East Lynn, IL $31,439
East Moline, IL $31,096
East Peoria, IL $32,638
East Saint Louis, IL $33,163
Easton, IL $31,594
Eddyville, IL $31,499
Edelstein, IL $32,503
Edgewood, IL $30,328
Edinburg, IL $30,980
Edwards, IL $32,638
Edwardsville, IL $33,038
Effingham, IL $30,525
El Paso, IL $32,436
Elburn, IL $34,727
Eldena, IL $33,619
Eldorado, IL $31,499
Eldred, IL $32,894
Eleroy, IL $33,619
Elgin, IL $35,352
Elizabeth, IL $31,735
Elizabethtown, IL $31,499
Elk Grove Village, IL $35,744
Elkhart, IL $30,994
Elkville, IL $32,894
Ellery, IL $30,914
Elliott, IL $31,452
Ellis Grove, IL $32,894
Ellisville, IL $32,436
Ellsworth, IL $31,439
Elmhurst, IL $35,811
Elmwood, IL $32,503
Elmwood Park, IL $35,879
Elsah, IL $32,912
Elvaston, IL $31,440
Elwin, IL $31,060
Elwood, IL $34,640
Emden, IL $31,807
Emington, IL $31,439
Emma, IL $31,499
Energy, IL $32,197
Enfield, IL $31,499
Eola, IL $35,194
Equality, IL $31,499
Erie, IL $31,106
Esmond, IL $33,673
Essex, IL $34,511
Eureka, IL $32,530
Evanston, IL $35,865
Evansville, IL $32,894
Evergreen Park, IL $35,852
Ewing, IL $31,499
Fairbury, IL $31,439
Fairfield, IL $30,914
Fairmount, IL $31,349
Fairview, IL $32,436
Fairview Heights, IL $33,145
Farina, IL $30,328
Farmer City, IL $31,466
Farmersville, IL $30,886
Farmington, IL $32,490
Fenton, IL $31,100
Ferris, IL $31,440
Fiatt, IL $32,436
Fidelity, IL $32,894
Fieldon, IL $32,894
Fillmore, IL $30,886
Findlay, IL $31,439
Fisher, IL $31,573
Fithian, IL $31,506
Flanagan, IL $32,436
Flat Rock, IL $30,422
Flora, IL $30,328
Flossmoor, IL $33,439
Foosland, IL $31,520
Forest City, IL $31,993
Forest Park, IL $35,879
Forrest, IL $31,439
Forreston, IL $33,619
Forsyth, IL $31,137
Fort Sheridan, IL $34,542
Fowler, IL $30,886
Fox Lake, IL $33,205
Fox River Grove, IL $34,459
Fox Valley, IL $35,359
Frankfort, IL $34,458
Frankfort Heights, IL $31,499
Franklin, IL $30,899
Franklin Grove, IL $33,619
Franklin Park, IL $35,852
Frederick, IL $30,886
Freeburg, IL $32,948
Freeman Spur, IL $32,197
Freeport, IL $33,619
Fulton, IL $31,111
Fults, IL $32,894
Galatia, IL $31,499
Galena, IL $31,735
Galesburg, IL $31,290
Galt, IL $31,393
Galva, IL $31,331
Garden Prairie, IL $33,673
Gardner, IL $34,511
Gays, IL $31,439
Geff, IL $30,914
Geneseo, IL $30,988
Geneva, IL $35,677
Genoa, IL $33,619
Georgetown, IL $31,117
Gerlaw, IL $31,083
German Valley, IL $33,700
Germantown, IL $32,894
Gibson City, IL $31,439
Gifford, IL $31,533
Gilberts, IL $34,762
Gillespie, IL $32,559
Gilman, IL $31,439
Gilson, IL $31,970
Girard, IL $30,886
Gladstone, IL $30,920
Glasford, IL $32,597
Glen Carbon, IL $33,073
Glen Ellyn, IL $35,140
Glenarm, IL $31,048
Glencoe, IL $35,771
Glendale Heights, IL $35,298
Glenview, IL $35,798
Glenwood, IL $33,480
Godfrey, IL $32,930
Golconda, IL $30,772
Golden, IL $30,886
Golden Eagle, IL $32,894
Golden Gate, IL $30,914
Golf, IL $35,825
Good Hope, IL $32,436
Goodfield, IL $32,530
Goodwine, IL $31,439
Goreville, IL $31,499
Gorham, IL $32,894
Grafton, IL $32,894
Grand Chain, IL $30,772
Grand Ridge, IL $32,436
Grand Tower, IL $32,894
Granite City, IL $33,163

Regional Salary in Illinois

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Bloomington, IL230$32,560$15.66$44,870$27,040
Carbondale-Marion, IL130$30,630$14.72$36,710$27,040
Champaign-Urbana, IL170$32,690$15.72$42,100$27,090
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI8,370$36,600$17.6$50,280$28,550
Decatur, IL80$29,680$14.27$35,320$27,040
Kankakee, IL70$33,860$16.28$46,260$27,040
Peoria, IL270$31,030$14.92$36,900$27,040
Rockford, IL210$32,720$15.73$45,340$27,130
Springfield, IL150$32,710$15.73$45,640$27,300
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Animal Caretakers, OCC Code 39-2021, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Helpful Resources

helping fellow dog groomers with valuable resources

Dog grooming is a modern job where you must attend seminars to learn new techniques and follow the latest trends.

You can go visit these sites for such information, as well as a refresher on grooming-related subjects.

Also, you need to check for helpful resources on your job hunting.

Some of the best places to do a job search are:

Conclusion

Dog grooming is the future for those who are seeking easy money and great work experiences.

What’s more, working with animals is always rewarding.

Seeing them look good and feel even better is a sensational feeling we all should experience.

There is no more honest expression than a happy dog’s face.

So think about signing up for a dog grooming course at your local school or online.

There’s nothing to lose in this career; you’re a sure winner!

USA How to Become a Dog/Pet Groomer by State