Animal Grooming: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Animal Grooming is a specialized field focused on enhancing the appearance, health, and comfort of a wide range of animals, from companion pets to performance and working breeds. This program equips students with the technical proficiency and professional awareness needed to deliver high-quality grooming services in diverse settings.
- Skin, coat, and pelt grooming and styling: Techniques for cleaning, trimming, and shaping fur and hair to meet breed standards and aesthetic preferences.
- Skin care: Methods for identifying and managing skin conditions, maintaining hydration, and preventing irritation during grooming sessions.
- Hoof, nail, and claw care: Precision trimming and maintenance of hooves and claws in equine, bovine, and other animals with specialized anatomical needs.
- Animal massage: Therapeutic techniques to improve circulation, reduce muscle tension, and support overall well-being in animals.
- Minor first aid and veterinary referral: Recognition of common injuries and health concerns, with protocols for appropriate intervention and professional veterinary consultation.
- Animal grooming products and applications: In-depth knowledge of shampoos, conditioners, sprays, and tools, including proper selection and safe usage.
- Health and safety: Best practices for handling animals, preventing zoonotic risks, and ensuring a secure, stress-minimized grooming environment.
- Applicable regulations: Understanding of industry standards, licensing requirements, and legal considerations governing animal care and grooming operations.
Animal Grooming Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Animal Grooming Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Animal Grooming degrees, including Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary and Animal Caretakers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 388,450 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1194 | $61,490 | $38,680 - $106,580 | 111,150 | $29.56 |
| Animal Caretakers 39-2021 | $33,470 | $24,500 - $46,480 | 277,300 | $16.09 |
Animal Grooming Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $37,125 in Mississippi to $57,300 in Oregon—a 54% difference. The highest-paying states include Oregon, Massachusetts, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 388,450 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Animal Grooming by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 10 institutions offering Animal Grooming programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Animal Grooming is found at Columbia Central University (CCU), Caguas (191 graduates), PPG Technical College (PPG) (98 graduates), Merryfield Academy (78 graduates), Liceo de Arte y Tecnologia (LAT) (50 graduates), and Universal Technology College of Puerto Rico (UNITEC) (39 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 519 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Central University (CCU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
191 | Caguas, Puerto Rico | Private | columbiacentral.edu |
| PPG Technical College (PPG) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
98 | Caguas, Puerto Rico | Private | estudiappg.com |
| Merryfield Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
78 | Oakland Park, Florida | Private | merryfield.edu |
| Liceo de Arte y Tecnologia (LAT) |
Other Award
|
50 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | liceo.edu |
| Universal Technology College of Puerto Rico (UNITEC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
39 | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | Private | unitecpr.edu |
| CEM College |
Other Award
|
20 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | cemcollege.edu |
| Pets Playground Grooming School |
Other Award
|
13 | Pompano Beach, Florida | Private | petsplayground.edu |
| CEM College (CEM) |
Other Award
|
12 | Humacao, Puerto Rico | Private | cemcollege.edu |
| North Shore Community College (NSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | Danvers, Massachusetts | Public | northshore.edu |
| Volunteer State Community College (Vol State) |
Other Award
|
8 | Gallatin, Tennessee | Public | volstate.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Animal Grooming programs
How much can I earn with a Animal Grooming degree?
Salaries for Animal Grooming graduates vary by role and location. Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $61,490 annually, while Animal Caretakers earn around $33,470. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Oregon average $57,300 compared to $37,125 in Mississippi. Approximately 388,450 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Animal Grooming programs?
Currently 10 accredited institutions offer Animal Grooming degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Columbia Central University (CCU), Caguas (191 graduates), PPG Technical College (PPG) (98 graduates), and Merryfield Academy (78 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Animal Grooming growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 157 in 2010 to 519 in 2023-24. This represents a 231% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Animal Grooming degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Animal Caretakers, . Related occupations employ approximately 388,450 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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