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Have you ever thought of helping pet owners style and make their pets beautiful?
For pet owners, their dogs’ looks matter.
And so they turn to dog groomers to help them with it.
Sure, the owners can do it themselves.
But it’s best to leave it to the professionals, people with the right skills and techniques, isn’t it?
If you’re interested, here’s how you can become a dog groomer in Vermont.
Table of Contents
Dog Grooming: What It Entails
As a dog groomer, you have a lot of responsibilities.
You’re tasked to take care and maintain the dog’s good physical appearance.
Daily duties involve the following:
- Bathing
- Trimming and cutting fur
- Clipping nails
- Breed-specific maintenance
- Catering to pet owners’ demands
Many dog groomers can be found working at:
- Pet stores
- Kennels
- Animal hospitals
- Grooming salons
In each of these places, their daily workload depends on the facility’s size and the number of dogs in the area.
So it’s best to keep in mind that the training required and the salary offered will often vary.
Requirements to Become a Dog Groomer in Vermont
Like other states, Vermont has no formal educational and professional requirements for being a groomer.
This means you can start to work as one right away, preferably once you’ve finished training for it.
And so, you’re advised to attend training and certification courses to gain skills and knowledge.
A training workshop is open to all those interested at the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA).
You may also attend an accredited grooming school in Vermont or an online course that offers certification.
It usually covers about 50 to 80 hours of coursework, with a focus on dog breeds and grooming standards.
Another way of schooling is by obtaining an apprenticeship or internship at a local dog grooming facility.
Vermont has more than 20 grooming salons and animal care facilities that might offer you support and training.
Whichever option you choose, know that you’re fully equipped with what you got to do the very first moment you enter your workplace.
After all, employers tend to hire people who are well trained for these positions.
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Many dog grooming programs offer certification upon successful course completion.
This certification proves that you have acquired certain skills that enable you to work professionally.
To obtain an NDGAA certification, you must:
- Attend at least one workshop
- Pass the written test and skills assessment
Only then can you be called a National Certified Master Groomer.
Job Prospects in Vermont
Job prospects look good for dog groomers in Vermont.
So you shouldn’t worry too much about employment in this state, especially if you’ve earned a certification.
You can easily apply and get hired at these animal care facilities:
- Pet/vet clinics
- Animal hospitals and shelters
- Kennels
- Grooming salons
Even with the high demand for dog groomers, you still have to consider your salary.
One good indication of a high salary is the high spending on pet care in an area.
In any case, let’s look at how much you can potentially earn in Vermont.
Potential Salary Vermont
The annual salary of a dog groomer varies from place to place.
In Vermont, the average annual salary is $34,301 as of January 2022 (Salary.com).
The figures below show how much you’ll receive annually if you belong to a certain percentile.
| Percentile | Salary |
| 10% | $22,456 |
| 25% | $28,101 |
| 50% | $34,301 |
| 75% | $42,901 |
| 90% | $50,731 |
The table below shows the salaries in each city in Vermont.
Average Annual Salary by City
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Burlington | $34,119 |
| Essex | $34,119 |
| Rutland | $34,426 |
| Colchester | $34,119 |
| South Burlington | $34,119 |
| Bennington | $35,053 |
| Brattleboro | $35,124 |
| Hartford | $35,516 |
| Milton | $34,098 |
| Barre | $33,807 |
Regional Salary in Vermont
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 210 | $37,690 | $18.12 | $45,890 | $30,750 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Helpful Resources
Your career development as a dog groomer doesn’t end simply because you graduated from a course.
It’s continuous, especially your education.
You have to keep up with the latest news and trends of this industry and connect with fellow groomers for insights.
These sites are helpful resources that you can visit from time to time.
- NDGAA for educational resources, workshops, and professional networking
- International Association of Professional Groomers for educational and career development resources
Final Words
Vermont is a good ground to develop as a dog groomer.
Not only does it have in-demand job opportunities, but it also offers higher and competitive salaries.
And with the certification under your belt, you’ll have more career opportunities lined up compared to others.
So, are you ready to become a dog groomer in Vermont?
How to Become a Dog/Pet Groomer by State