Everyone dreams of a job with outstanding earnings and a stress-free work environment.
And being a dog groomer is one of the most relaxed jobs you can find.
It offers many opportunities, like career independence and financial stability.
These can be yours if you choose to become a dog groomer in Indiana.
Table of Contents
What a Dog Groomer Does
It may be simple at first glance, but a dog groomer’s duties are complicated.
You need time to be a master groomer, particularly training and experience.
Studying at a grooming school or apprenticing under an experienced groomer will take care of that.
Through it, you’ll learn proper grooming techniques, both basic and advanced skills.
At a minimum, you’ll learn the “classics,” like:
- Bathing
- Drying
- Styling
- Clipping
- Cutting
- Trimming
Of course, you’ll also be trained for specialized skills.
For example, hand-scissoring and hand-stripping.
Both techniques are used to remove the coat’s rough and matted parts.
What’s more, in this line of work, you’ll face anxious or excited dogs, making it harder for you to start grooming.
So what can you do to make them calm and cooperate with you?
Luckily, there are calming techniques you’ll learn in the course of your education in Indiana.
Indiana’s Educational Requirements
You don’t need a college degree to become a dog groomer.
Only a high school diploma or equivalent GED is needed.
But getting an education by enrolling in an accredited school will help you, especially if you want to grow career-wise.
Most grooming schools will require you to complete the following in order to graduate:
- Coursework (lectures and assignments)
- Hands-on practice
Note that grooming schools in Indiana expect professionalism and dedication from their students.
In return, you’ll be given many advantages, like helping you get work after completing the program.
Popular Programs
Earn your accredited, affordable associate degree or career diploma online with Penn Foster!
Veterinary AssistantVeterinary TechnicianVet Office ManagerDog ObediencePet GroomingSponsored Online Programs.Skills and Competencies
You’re going to be a good dog groomer in the future.
One of the best, no doubt.
And to be the best, you’re not only a master at the technical side of things.
You also possess and are highly competent in the following:
Communication
Every groomer must have good communication skills.
You have the ability to not only talk to your dog clients but their owners and your colleagues as well.
Organization and Management
You’re a dog groomer, first and foremost.
But helping out in the administration of your workplace is also part of your responsibilities.
- Make appointments
- Organize the schedules
- Keep the tools and equipment in their proper places
- Clean the tools and equipment used
- Meeting with the management and potential customers
Observation
Having a keen eye for detail is a must skill to have.
As a dog groomer, you’re usually the frontliner who sees and knows if there’s anything wrong with the dog.
For example, a skin disease that needs immediate medical attention from the vet.
When it happens, you should let the owner know at once for the dog’s well-being.
Left unreported, it can cause severe problems for the dog later on.
Job Opportunities in Indiana
Indiana has a lot of job opportunities to offer aspiring dog groomers.
In fact, in the May 2020 report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Indiana currently has around 880–2310 animal caretakers like groomers in employment.
Most of them are working at:
- Kennels
- Pet stores
- Vet clinics
- Animal shelters
- Animal grooming salons
Potential Salary in Indiana
Indiana is a good place for a dog groomer who wants to scale career-wise.
According to Salary.com, the average annual salary in Indiana is $34,801 as of December 2021.
The figures below are based on their aggregate HR-reported survey data.
| Percentile | Salary |
| 10% | $22,574 |
| 25% | $28,401 |
| 50% | $34,801 |
| 75% | $43,401 |
| 90% | $51,231 |
Check our table below for the potential earnings each city in Indiana offers.
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Advance | $32,458 |
| Akron | $31,361 |
| Alamo | $30,766 |
| Albany | $31,032 |
| Albion | $31,364 |
| Alexandria | $31,235 |
| Ambia | $31,484 |
| Amboy | $31,032 |
| Amo | $31,934 |
| Anderson | $31,235 |
| Andrews | $31,198 |
| Angola | $31,524 |
| Arcadia | $31,154 |
| Arcola | $31,400 |
| Argos | $31,408 |
| Arlington | $31,835 |
| Ashley | $31,241 |
| Athens | $31,427 |
| Atlanta | $31,140 |
| Attica | $31,125 |
| Atwood | $31,416 |
| Auburn | $31,252 |
| Aurora | $32,823 |
| Austin | $31,280 |
| Avilla | $31,265 |
| Avoca | $30,936 |
| Avon | $32,769 |
| Bainbridge | $31,781 |
| Bargersville | $32,688 |
| Batesville | $32,783 |
| Bath | $32,709 |
| Battle Ground | $31,813 |
| Bedford | $30,936 |
| Beech Grove | $32,796 |
| Bellmore | $30,912 |
| Bennington | $32,409 |
| Bentonville | $31,136 |
| Berne | $31,258 |
| Bethlehem | $31,130 |
| Beverly Shores | $33,461 |
| Bicknell | $30,534 |
| Bippus | $31,198 |
| Birdseye | $31,152 |
| Blanford | $30,928 |
| Bloomfield | $30,702 |
| Bloomingdale | $30,766 |
| Bloomington | $31,071 |
| Bluffton | $31,225 |
| Boggstown | $32,661 |
| Boone Grove | $33,461 |
| Boonville | $31,653 |
| Borden | $31,664 |
| Boston | $32,610 |
| Boswell | $31,484 |
| Bourbon | $31,427 |
| Bowling Green | $31,816 |
| Bradford | $31,664 |
| Branchville | $31,538 |
| Brazil | $30,887 |
| Bremen | $31,309 |
| Bridgeton | $30,860 |
| Bringhurst | $31,813 |
| Bristol | $31,855 |
| Bristow | $31,545 |
| Brook | $33,393 |
| Brooklyn | $32,661 |
| Brookston | $32,340 |
| Brookville | $32,771 |
| Brownsburg | $32,756 |
| Brownstown | $30,961 |
| Brownsville | $32,481 |
| Bruceville | $30,574 |
| Bryant | $31,235 |
| Buck Creek | $31,813 |
| Buckskin | $31,626 |
| Buffalo | $32,297 |
| Bunker Hill | $31,032 |
| Burket | $31,392 |
| Burlington | $31,032 |
| Burnettsville | $31,875 |
| Burrows | $31,032 |
| Butler | $31,198 |
| Butlerville | $30,868 |
| Cambridge City | $31,032 |
| Camby | $32,769 |
| Camden | $31,032 |
| Campbellsburg | $31,141 |
| Canaan | $32,202 |
| Cannelburg | $30,431 |
| Cannelton | $31,545 |
| Carbon | $30,847 |
| Carlisle | $30,542 |
| Carmel | $32,756 |
| Carthage | $31,739 |
| Cayuga | $30,975 |
| Cedar Grove | $32,774 |
| Cedar Lake | $33,501 |
| Celestine | $30,372 |
| Centerpoint | $30,847 |
| Centerville | $31,869 |
| Central | $31,556 |
| Chalmers | $32,340 |
| Chandler | $31,720 |
| Charlestown | $31,718 |
| Charlottesville | $31,100 |
| Chesterton | $33,528 |
| Chrisney | $31,545 |
| Chrubusco | $31,346 |
| Cicero | $31,154 |
| Clarks Hill | $32,594 |
| Clarksburg | $32,594 |
| Clarksville | $31,808 |
| Clay City | $30,979 |
| Claypool | $31,365 |
| Clayton | $32,661 |
| Clear Creek | $31,071 |
| Clifford | $31,496 |
| Clinton | $30,928 |
| Cloverdale | $31,299 |
| Coal City | $30,787 |
| Coalmont | $30,716 |
| Coatesville | $31,849 |
| Colfax | $32,594 |
| Columbia City | $31,292 |
| Columbus | $31,325 |
| Commiskey | $31,251 |
| Connersville | $31,032 |
| Converse | $31,032 |
| Cortland | $30,909 |
| Corunna | $31,261 |
| Cory | $30,901 |
| Corydon | $31,628 |
| Covington | $31,165 |
| Craigville | $31,279 |
| Crandall | $31,682 |
| Crane | $30,645 |
| Crafordsville | $32,188 |
| Cromwell | $31,405 |
| Cross Plains | $32,783 |
| Crothersville | $31,203 |
| Crown Point | $33,569 |
| Culver | $31,368 |
| Cutler | $31,032 |
| Cynthiana | $31,666 |
| Dale | $31,298 |
| Daleville | $31,235 |
| Dana | $30,882 |
| Danville | $32,675 |
| Darlington | $32,594 |
| Dayton | $31,813 |
| Decatur | $31,309 |
| Decker | $30,561 |
| Deedsville | $31,351 |
| Delong | $31,352 |
| Delphi | $31,813 |
| Demotte | $33,393 |
| Denver | $31,115 |
| Depauw | $31,538 |
| Deputy | $31,341 |
| Derby | $31,538 |
| Dillsboro | $32,783 |
| Donaldson | $31,433 |
| Dublin | $31,032 |
| Dubois | $30,372 |
| Dugger | $30,581 |
| Dunkirk | $31,041 |
| Dunreith | $31,523 |
| Dupont | $31,404 |
| Dyer | $33,582 |
| Earl Park | $33,439 |
| East Chicago | $33,596 |
| East Enterprise | $32,376 |
| Eaton | $31,032 |
| Eckerty | $31,538 |
| Economy | $31,032 |
| Edinburgh | $31,631 |
| Edwardsport | $30,480 |
| Elberfeld | $31,680 |
| Elizabeth | $31,718 |
| Elizabethtown | $31,018 |
| Elkhart | $31,855 |
| Ellettsville | $30,990 |
| Elnora | $30,527 |
| Elwood | $31,194 |
| Eminence | $31,676 |
| English | $31,538 |
| Etna Green | $31,427 |
| Evanston | $31,545 |
| Evansville | $31,747 |
| Fair Oaks | $33,393 |
| Fairbanks | $30,847 |
| Fairland | $31,925 |
| Fairmount | $31,086 |
| Falmouth | $31,469 |
| Farmersburg | $30,901 |
| Farmland | $31,032 |
| Ferdinand | $31,225 |
| Fillmore | $31,674 |
| Finly | $31,874 |
| Fishers | $31,167 |
| Flat Rock | $31,844 |
| Flora | $31,813 |
| Florence | $32,202 |
| Floyds Knobs | $31,808 |
| Folsomville | $31,260 |
| Fontanet | $30,941 |
| Forest | $31,600 |
| Fort Branch | $31,639 |
| Fort Ritner | $30,961 |
| Fort Wayne | $31,400 |
| Fortville | $31,181 |
| Fountain City | $31,965 |
| Fountaintown | $31,963 |
| Fowler | $31,484 |
| Fowlerton | $31,073 |
| Francesville | $33,393 |
| Francisco | $30,942 |
| Frankfort | $31,951 |
| Franklin | $32,661 |
| Frankton | $31,235 |
| Fredericksburg | $31,538 |
| Freedom | $30,828 |
| Freelandville | $30,493 |
| Freetown | $30,990 |
| Fremont | $32,569 |
| French Lick | $30,806 |
| Friendship | $32,783 |
| Fulda | $31,545 |
| Fulton | $31,427 |
| Galveston | $31,032 |
| Garrett | $31,279 |
| Gary | $33,596 |
| Gas City | $31,051 |
| Gaston | $31,127 |
| Geneva | $31,250 |
| Gentryville | $31,433 |
| Georgetown | $31,772 |
| Glenwood | $31,392 |
| Goldsmith | $31,657 |
| Goodland | $33,393 |
| Goshen | $31,855 |
| Gosport | $31,240 |
| Grabill | $31,346 |
| Grammer | $30,976 |
| Grandview | $31,545 |
| Granger | $31,403 |
| Grantsburg | $31,538 |
| Grass Creek | $31,427 |
| Graysville | $30,596 |
| Greencastle | $31,428 |
| Grenfield | $31,874 |
| Greens Fork | $31,447 |
| Greensboro | $31,527 |
| Greensburg | $32,163 |
| Greentown | $31,100 |
| Greenville | $31,718 |
| Greenwood | $32,783 |
| Griffin | $31,205 |
| Griffith | $33,596 |
| Grissom Arb | $31,032 |
| Grovertown | $31,574 |
| Guilford | $32,783 |
| Gwynneville | $31,887 |
| Hagerstown | $31,032 |
| Hamilton | $31,198 |
| Hamlet | $31,737 |
| Hammond | $33,596 |
| Hanna | $32,189 |
| Hanover | $31,442 |
| Hardinsburg | $31,265 |
| Harlan | $31,265 |
| Harmony | $30,847 |
| Harrodsburg | $31,071 |
| Hartford City | $31,070 |
| Hartsville | $31,472 |
| Hatfield | $31,612 |
| Haubstadt | $31,666 |
| Hayden | $30,868 |
| Hazelton | $30,520 |
| Hebron | $33,783 |
| Helmsburg | $31,057 |
| Heltonville | $31,057 |
| Hemlock | $31,293 |
| Henryville | $31,646 |
| Highland | $33,596 |
| Hillsboro | $30,766 |
| Hillsdale | $30,833 |
| Hoagland | $31,373 |
| Hobart | $33,596 |
| Hobbs | $31,167 |
| Holland | $31,075 |
| Holton | $32,783 |
| Homer | $31,873 |
| Hope | $31,571 |
| Howe | $31,771 |
| Hudson | $31,280 |
| Huntertown | $31,387 |
| Huntingburg | $30,958 |
| Huntington | $31,238 |
| Huron | $30,794 |
| Hymera | $30,681 |
| Idaville | $31,875 |
| Indianapolis | $32,796 |
| Ingalls | $31,221 |
| Inglefield | $31,747 |
| Ireland | $30,714 |
| Jamestown | $32,529 |
| Jasonville | $30,676 |
| Jasper | $30,698 |
| Jeffersonville | $31,808 |
| Jonesboro | $31,045 |
| Jonesville | $30,868 |
| Judson | $30,766 |
| Kempton | $31,683 |
| Kendallville | $31,332 |
| Kennard | $31,127 |
| Kentland | $32,439 |
| Kewanna | $31,201 |
| Keyston | $31,136 |
| Kimmell | $31,382 |
| Kingman | $30,766 |
| Kingsbury | $31,968 |
| Kingsford Heights | $31,989 |
| Kirklin | $31,880 |
| Knightstown | $31,636 |
| Knightsville | $30,860 |
| Knox | $31,798 |
| Kokomo | $31,196 |
| Koleen | $30,755 |
| Kouts | $33,150 |
| Kurtz | $31,044 |
| La Crosse | $32,689 |
| La Fontaine | $31,107 |
| La Porte | $32,003 |
| Laconia | $31,556 |
| Ladoga | $32,137 |
| Lafayette | $32,594 |
| Lagrange | $31,522 |
| Lagro | $31,198 |
| Lake Cicott | $31,117 |
| Lake Station | $33,596 |
| Lake Village | $33,393 |
| Laketon | $31,263 |
| Lakeville | $31,390 |
| Lamar | $31,545 |
| Lanesville | $31,754 |
| Laotto | $31,319 |
| Lapaz | $31,322 |
| Lapel | $31,235 |
| Larwill | $31,330 |
| Laurel | $32,783 |
| Lawrenceburg | $32,864 |
| Leavenworth | $31,538 |
| Lebanon | $32,148 |
| Leesburg | $31,413 |
| Leitersford | $31,360 |
| Leo | $31,373 |
| Leopold | $31,538 |
| Leroy | $33,501 |
| Lewis | $30,901 |
| Lewisvile | $31,422 |
| Lexington | $31,414 |
| Liberty | $32,668 |
| Liberty Center | $31,197 |
| Liberty Mills | $31,255 |
| Ligonier | $31,424 |
| Lincoln City | $31,414 |
| Linden | $32,594 |
| Linn Grove | $31,244 |
| Linton | $30,608 |
| Little York | $31,293 |
| Lizton | $32,434 |
| Logansport | $31,032 |
| Loogootee | $30,501 |
| Losantville | $31,032 |
| Lowell | $33,893 |
| Lucerne | $31,427 |
| Lynn | $31,630 |
| Lynville | $31,180 |
| Lyons | $30,608 |
| Mackey | $31,113 |
| Macy | $31,351 |
| Madison | $31,207 |
| Manilla | $31,926 |
| Marengo | $31,538 |
| Mariah Hill | $31,545 |
| Marion | $31,065 |
| Markle | $31,265 |
| Markleville | $31,221 |
| Marshall | $30,766 |
| Martinsville | $30,936 |
| Marysville | $31,441 |
| Matthews | $31,059 |
| Mauckport | $31,538 |
| Maxwell | $31,874 |
| Mays | $31,629 |
| Mc Cordsville | $32,729 |
| Mecca | $30,860 |
| Medaryville | $33,393 |
| Medora | $30,988 |
| Middlebury | $31,815 |
| Middletown | $31,235 |
| Midland | $30,639 |
| Milan | $32,783 |
| Milford | $31,734 |
| Mill Creek | $31,295 |
| Millersburg | $31,761 |
| Millhousen | $32,082 |
| Milltown | $31,538 |
| Milroy | $32,008 |
| Milton | $31,032 |
| Mishawaka | $31,403 |
| Mitchel | $30,868 |
| Modoc | $31,032 |
| Mongo | $31,820 |
| Monon | $33,393 |
| Monroe | $31,259 |
| Monroe City | $30,574 |
| Monroeville | $31,306 |
| Monrovia | $31,873 |
| Monterey | $31,334 |
| Montezuma | $30,793 |
| Montgomery | $30,392 |
| Monticello | $31,875 |
| Montmorenci | $31,615 |
| Montpelier | $31,122 |
| Mooreland | $31,032 |
| Moores Hill | $32,783 |
| Mooresville | $32,715 |
| Morgantown | $30,976 |
| Morocco | $33,393 |
| Morris | $32,783 |
| Morristown | $31,884 |
| Mount Ayr | $33,393 |
| Mount Saint Francis | $31,772 |
| Mount Summit | $31,100 |
| Mount Vernon | $31,693 |
| Mulbery | $32,594 |
| Muncie | $31,113 |
| Munster | $33,596 |
| Nabb | $31,428 |
| Napoleon | $32,783 |
| Nappanee | $31,774 |
| Nashville | $31,071 |
| Needham | $31,851 |
| New Albany | $31,808 |
| New Carlisle | $31,363 |
| New Castle | $31,338 |
| New Goshen | $30,968 |
| New Harmony | $31,401 |
| New Haven | $31,400 |
| New Lisbon | $31,100 |
| New Market | $31,741 |
| New Middletown | $31,682 |
| New Palestine | $32,729 |
| New Paris | $31,801 |
| New Point | $32,783 |
| New Richmond | $31,680 |
| New Ross | $32,594 |
| New Salisbury | $31,646 |
| New Trenton | $32,775 |
| New Washington | $31,296 |
| New Waverly | $31,032 |
| Newberry | $30,603 |
| Newburgh | $31,747 |
| Newport | $30,828 |
| Newtown | $30,766 |
| Nineveh | $31,676 |
| Noblesville | $31,140 |
| Norman | $31,003 |
| North Judson | $32,419 |
| North Liberty | $31,349 |
| North Manchester | $31,246 |
| North Salem | $32,521 |
| North Vernon | $30,868 |
Regional Salary in Indiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IN | 120 | $31,140 | $14.97 | $37,330 | $21,310 |
| Columbus, IN | 60 | $27,760 | $13.34 | $38,570 | $20,430 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | 110 | $29,990 | $14.42 | $37,940 | $22,680 |
| Evansville, IN-KY | 340 | $29,450 | $14.16 | $44,730 | $21,820 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 300 | $28,790 | $13.84 | $35,930 | $21,150 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN | 2,390 | $30,540 | $14.68 | $39,120 | $23,440 |
| Kokomo, IN | 50 | $28,540 | $13.72 | $45,900 | $18,480 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | 230 | $29,850 | $14.35 | $42,620 | $21,160 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | 100 | $28,990 | $13.94 | $46,990 | $21,830 |
| Muncie, IN | 160 | $27,550 | $13.25 | $39,490 | $18,910 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | 180 | $29,830 | $14.34 | $40,820 | $18,540 |
| Terre Haute, IN | 130 | $27,000 | $12.98 | $37,370 | $17,080 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Online Resources
Education doesn’t stop after graduation.
It’s an ongoing process that lasts a lifetime.
There are a few online resources every dog groomer in Indiana should visit.
It can help expand your knowledge, especially regarding the news and trends of the industry.
Here are the websites you can visit:
- BringFido for a directory of dog grooming facilities in Indiana
- Loogootee, Indiana for community support and state and nationwide animal regulations
- American Kennel Club for information on dog breed, health, and training
- National Dog Groomers Association of America for professional standards on dog grooming and care
Takeaways
Dedication is important to become a good dog groomer.
One of the ways to show it is by improving your knowledge and enrolling in a grooming school in Indiana.
Study hard, train hard, and you’ll be able to show off your competency and skills for this profession.
So don’t worry too much; these schools got you covered.
Also, remember that professionalism will make clients trust you, making them come back and become regulars.
Not to mention how your employer and colleagues will start to rely on you.
As such, success won’t be that too far away.
And the key ingredient to it all?
Love and passion for dogs and what you’re doing.
And Indiana dog groomers definitely have that!
How to Become a Dog/Pet Groomer by State