How to Become a Pet Groomer in Missouri (2026)

Updated August 27, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Missouri employs about 5,820 pet groomers earning a median $31,230 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most pet groomers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Missouri.

Key Facts

  • Median wage (Missouri): $31,230/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Employed in Missouri: 5,820 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Location quotient: 1.15x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Projected growth: 12.1% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Sponsored - request program info

Missouri employs approximately 5,820 pet groomers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $31,230 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 Missouri, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Pet Groomer Wages by Metro Area in Missouri

Animal Caretakers Wages by Metro Area in Missouri

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
St. Louis3,100$31,530$35,030$28,600$46,730
Kansas City2,470$32,150$36,050$25,360$49,100
Springfield440$29,390$33,850$28,600$44,680
Columbia280$29,950$32,340$28,600$37,130
Joplin130$28,610$32,000$28,600$36,450
Cape Girardeau120$29,890$31,750$28,600$37,440
Jefferson City100$29,280$31,630$28,600$36,220
St. Joseph80$29,830$34,400$28,990$46,590

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 (Missouri): $31,230 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pet Groomer in Missouri

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

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 Missouri? The median annual wage for pet groomers in Missouri is $31,230 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,600 and experienced professionals can earn $44,930 or more 1.

How to Become a Pet Groomer in Missouri

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri? Missouri currently employs approximately 5,820 pet groomers 1. Nationally, pet groomer employment is projected to grow 12.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.

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

How much do pet groomers earn in Missouri compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pet groomers in Missouri is $31,230, which is $2,240 below the national median of $33,470 according to BLS data 1.

In Missouri

Related trades & nearby areas

Explore More Trades in Missouri

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)