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.
Page Navigation
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:Average Salary of Dog Groomers in Tennessee
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Regional Salary in Tennessee
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 690 | $29,340 | $14.11 | $35,580 | $22,290 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 230 | $28,890 | $13.89 | $36,080 | $21,190 |
| Cleveland, TN | 90 | $29,110 | $14 | $38,620 | $21,310 |
| Jackson, TN | 110 | $28,810 | $13.85 | $36,730 | $21,500 |
| Johnson City, TN | 190 | $26,870 | $12.92 | $33,080 | $21,730 |
| Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA | 200 | $28,760 | $13.83 | $37,430 | $21,510 |
| Knoxville, TN | 950 | $30,080 | $14.46 | $37,440 | $21,770 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 1,250 | $30,070 | $14.46 | $36,930 | $22,410 |
| Morristown, TN | 110 | $27,520 | $13.23 | $33,220 | $22,220 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 2,750 | $31,940 | $15.35 | $37,510 | $23,450 |
* 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.
