by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 11 U.S. colleges awarded 408 degrees and certificates in Dog/Pet/Animal Grooming. Certificates are the most popular award, at 56% of graduates. College Factual ranks 8 schools in its 2027 Best Dog/Pet/Animal Grooming Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $25,658 one year after completing, rising to $34,216 after four years.
A major in Dog/Pet/Animal Grooming covers Dog/pet/animal Grooming. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Provide Cosmetic Services For Household Pets, Show Animals, Work Animals And Animal Athletes. Includes Instruction In Skin, Coat, And Pelt Grooming And Styling; Skin Care; Hoof, Nail, And Claw Care; Animal Massage; Minor First Aid And Veterinary Referral; Animal Grooming Products And Applications; Health And Safety; And Applicable Regulations.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., dog/pet/animal grooming draws strong interest, with 408 degrees awarded annually. 11 colleges award dog/pet/animal grooming degrees, an average of 37 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 92.
By level, the 408 awards include 227 certificates, 11 associate degrees and 170 master’s degrees.
Women earned 80% of dog/pet/animal grooming degrees and certificates in the latest year (326 of 408). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Hispanic or Latino (343) and White (52), and international students earned 2.
College Factual ranks 8 schools in its 2027 Best Dog/Pet/Animal Grooming Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees. It also ranks dog/pet/animal grooming schools within 1 state. In all, 11 colleges offer dog/pet/animal grooming programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Dog/Pet/Animal Grooming Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common dog/pet/animal grooming credential is the certificate: 227 of the 408 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to dog/pet/animal grooming call most for Active Listening, Reading Comprehension and Speaking, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, Education and Training and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression and Problem Sensitivity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a dog/pet/animal grooming degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 227 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 11 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 170 |
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to dog/pet/animal grooming, at 31.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 31.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 25.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 17.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 10.1% |
| Master’s degree | 4.7% |
| Some college courses | 4.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 3.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 2.9% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Dog/Pet/Animal Grooming, with an average median salary of $54,365; the strongest outlook belongs to Animal Caretakers, at 11.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Corrective Therapy Aide Teacher, Textile Machinery Instructor, Watch Assembly Instructor and Wastewater Treatment Plant Instructor.
The occupation related to dog/pet/animal grooming with the most projected jobs is Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary, at 202,912.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 202,912 | 0.6% |
| Animal Caretakers | 138,286 | 11.7% |
Dog/Pet/Animal Grooming graduates earn a median $25,658 one year after completing their program, $34,216 after four years and $34,298 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $25,658 |
| 4 years | $34,216 |
| 5 years | $34,298 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to dog/pet/animal grooming, with a median salary of $86,398.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $86,398 |
| Animal Caretakers | $22,332 |
Dog/Pet/Animal Grooming has 4 similar majors in the Agriculture field, which together award 809 degrees a year; the largest are Equestrian/Equine Studies (601), Animal Training (164) and Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services, Other (32). Browse all Agriculture majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Equestrian/Equine Studies | 601 |
| Animal Training | 164 |
| Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services, Other | 32 |
| Taxidermy/Taxidermist | 12 |
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