How long does pet groomer training take in Kentucky?

Most paths into the pet groomer field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What apprenticeships are available for pet groomers in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Kentucky Office of Apprenticeship and Training, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become a Pet Groomer in Kentucky (2026)

Q: How much do pet groomers earn in Kentucky?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), pet groomers in Kentucky earned a median annual wage of approximately $30,720. Employment concentration in Kentucky is about 1.79 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for pet groomers in Kentucky?

Kentucky currently employs approximately 6,140 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 12.1% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated August 27, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Kentucky animal caretakers earn a median annual wage of $30,720 ($14.77/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 6,140 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -13.1% below the national median of $35,360 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $30,720 ($14.77/hr)
25th percentile: $27,860 per year
75th percentile: $37,890 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $47,290 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $22,600 per year
Workers employed in Kentucky: 6,140
Versus national median: -13.1% below the U.S. median of $35,360
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.79 - this occupation is more concentrated in Kentucky than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed August 27, 2026.

Kentucky employs about 6,140 pet groomers earning a median $30,720 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most pet groomers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Kentucky.

Key Facts

Median wage (Kentucky): $30,720/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Kentucky: 6,140 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 1.79x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 12.1% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Pet Groomer Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky

Animal Caretakers Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Lexington-Fayette	2,400	$34,590	$35,770	$23,540	$47,370
Cincinnati	2,320	$30,540	$35,460	$24,410	$56,320
Louisville/Jefferson County	1,640	$30,830	$34,480	$22,470	$46,020
Clarksville	180	$31,170	$32,680	$22,880	$43,210
Huntington-Ashland	180	$28,060	$30,330	$21,150	$44,160
Bowling Green	160	$29,510	$31,100	$23,800	$38,480
Elizabethtown	120	$29,730	$33,810	$22,760	$46,720
Owensboro	70	$29,070	$32,320	$22,710	$47,460
Paducah	60	$31,200	$34,560	$21,850	$50,060

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 (Kentucky): $30,720 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pet Groomer in Kentucky

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

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 Kentucky? The median annual wage for pet groomers in Kentucky is $30,720 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $22,600 and experienced professionals can earn $47,290 or more ¹.

How to Become a Pet Groomer in Kentucky

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Kentucky training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Kentucky that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to pet groomers in Kentucky 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 Kentucky? Kentucky currently employs approximately 6,140 pet groomers ¹. Nationally, pet groomer employment is projected to grow 12.1% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do pet groomers earn in Kentucky compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pet groomers in Kentucky is $30,720, which is $2,750 below the national median of $33,470 according to BLS data ¹.

In Kentucky

Best Trade Schools in Kentucky (2026)

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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

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

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / 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)