How to Become a Pet Groomer in Arizona (2026)

Updated August 27, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Arizona employs about 6,330 pet groomers earning a median $38,180 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most pet groomers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Arizona.

Key Facts

  • Median wage (Arizona): $38,180/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Employed in Arizona: 6,330 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Location quotient: 1.14x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Projected growth: 12.1% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

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Arizona employs approximately 6,330 pet groomers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,180 1. Nationally, pet groomer employment is projected to grow 12.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 74,600 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a pet groomer in Arizona, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Pet Groomer Wages by Metro Area in Arizona

Animal Caretakers Wages by Metro Area in Arizona

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), animal caretakers wages in Arizona vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler4,480$39,030$46,050$34,650$77,080
Tucson950$36,870$41,980$31,560$63,280
Prescott Valley-Prescott200$36,270$41,160$31,560$62,530
Flagstaff150$38,180$42,280$36,730$63,370
Lake Havasu City-Kingman130$34,290$36,120$31,280$40,210
Yuma100$35,110$40,420$30,580$71,300
Sierra Vista-Douglas80$35,260$39,560$30,580$60,650

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Arizona): $38,180 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pet Groomer in Arizona

How to become a pet groomer in Arizona? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pet groomers in Arizona.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do pet groomers earn in Arizona? The median annual wage for pet groomers in Arizona is $38,180 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,320 and experienced professionals can earn $68,090 or more 1.

How to Become a Pet Groomer in Arizona

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Arizona training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Arizona that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to pet groomers in Arizona before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for pet groomers in Arizona? Arizona currently employs approximately 6,330 pet groomers 1. Nationally, pet groomer employment is projected to grow 12.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Arizona? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Arizona.

How much do pet groomers earn in Arizona compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pet groomers in Arizona is $38,180, which is $4,710 above the national median of $33,470 according to BLS data 1.

In Arizona

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)