How to Become a Dog Groomer in Tennessee

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Many people love animals, and some of them are good candidates for becoming dog groomers in Tennessee.

If you’re interested in such a job where you’ll interact with a variety of animals and even people, read on!

This article could help you decide if this is a good occupation for you.

Dog Groomer Job Description and Duties in Tennessee

Being a pet stylist means you’ll have to complete two types of tasks:

  • Those that are related to the animals
  • Those that relate to the workplace

These are the duties involving animals directly:

  • Cutting, clipping, and styling a dog’s coat
  • Bathing dogs
  • Clipping a dog’s nails
  • Interacting with dog owners
  • Knowing the hygienic care for each dog breed
  • Teeth brushing
  • Knowing how to restrain animals
  • Calming the dogs
  • Identify problem areas

These are the duties related to the workplace:

  • Cleaning and maintenance of the workplace
  • Cleaning and maintaining your tools
  • Knowing which tools to use for what task
  • Safely operating the tools
  • Staying updated with styling trends
  • Staying informed on the industry changes

Depending on where you work, you may be responsible for additional tasks.

Dog Groomer Job Requirements in Tennessee

To become a dog groomer in Tennessee all you have to do is to get hired.

Of course, employers will generally have some expectations of you, such as:

  • Being over 18 years of age
  • Having a high school diploma or GED
  • Having some experience in working with animals
  • Clean criminal record

However, the ideal candidate has these traits as well:

  • Patience
  • Kindness
  • Empathy
  • Calm
  • Attention to details
  • Good communication skills
  • Physically strong
  • Self-control

These attributes will help work not only with difficult pets but also with more difficult people.

You may need to restrain and control more aggressive dogs, and this will be easier for someone meeting the above description.

Dog Groomers’ Education and Certification in Tennessee

Certification is not needed in Tennessee, but having one will only benefit your salary and career prospects.

Dog Groomers’ Education

To earn any kind of certificate, you first need to attend a training course.

The best such class has accreditation from the National Dog Groomers Association of America.

Other programs also exist, and all of them generally have a duration of at least 2 months.

You can even find online programs if other courses are not available.

Here’s what you’ll study:

  • Introduction to Pet Grooming
  • Introduction to Dogs and Cats
  • Pre-Grooming Procedures
  • Dog Grooming, Part 1
  • Dog Grooming, Part 2
  • Dog Grooming, Part 3
  • Dog Personalities and Behavior
  • Cat Grooming
  • Business Practices

Most of these subjects also have a practical aspect, since that’s more important once you’re hired.

Dog Groomers’ Certification

Credentials are awarded after passing a test.

Candidates usually have to sign up for the exam and to pay some fees.

You should check with the institution issuing your diploma to see if it needs renewal and what the conditions are.

In most cases, just a request and a fee are needed to keep the certificate up-to-date.

Dog grooming is an occupation where you can easily earn more diplomas through seminars or workshops.

These can only benefit your career.

If you want to work on your own as a pet groomer, you will need a business license.

Dog Groomers’ Employment and Salary in Tennessee

These are the places where you can find a job once you’re certified:

  • Dog rescues
  • Veterinary clinics
  • Pet grooming salons
  • Pet shops
  • Dog daycare centers

Entry-level dog groomers earn close to $21,000 per year on average, while the highest salary is around $47,000 per year.

Annual Salary Range:
$26K
$32K
$40K

Average Salary of Dog Groomers in Tennessee

City NameSalary
Memphis$33,201
Nashville-Davidson$33,301
Knoxville$32,901
Chattanooga$32,301
Clarksville$32,601
Murfreesboro$33,101
Jackson$33,001
Johnson City$31,201
Kingsport$31,301
Franklin$33,201
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in Tennessee

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Chattanooga, TN-GA690$29,340$14.11$35,580$22,290
Clarksville, TN-KY230$28,890$13.89$36,080$21,190
Cleveland, TN90$29,110$14$38,620$21,310
Jackson, TN110$28,810$13.85$36,730$21,500
Johnson City, TN190$26,870$12.92$33,080$21,730
Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA200$28,760$13.83$37,430$21,510
Knoxville, TN950$30,080$14.46$37,440$21,770
Memphis, TN-MS-AR1,250$30,070$14.46$36,930$22,410
Morristown, TN110$27,520$13.23$33,220$22,220
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN2,750$31,940$15.35$37,510$23,450
* 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.

Additional Information for Dog Groomers in Tennessee

The industry can change or you may want to earn more diplomas.

Use these resources to stay informed on all these changes:

  • National Dog Groomers Association of America
  • Pet Stylists of Tennessee
  • International Professional Groomers
  • The National Association of Professional Creative Groomers
  • American Kennel Club (AKC)

These organizations can also help you find a job.

Earning the NDGAA diploma also requires you to become a member of this Association.

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