How long does pet groomer training take in New Jersey?

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 New Jersey?

In New Jersey, registered apprenticeships are administered through the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship, 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 New Jersey (2026)

Q: How much do pet groomers earn in New Jersey?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), pet groomers in New Jersey earned a median annual wage of approximately $35,850. Employment concentration in New Jersey is roughly 0.80 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

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

New Jersey currently employs approximately 5,890 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

New Jersey employs about 5,890 pet groomers earning a median $35,850 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most pet groomers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in New Jersey.

Key Facts

Median wage (New Jersey): $35,850/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in New Jersey: 5,890 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.80x 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 New Jersey

Animal Caretakers Wages by Metro Area in New Jersey

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
New York-Newark-Jersey City	11,430	$37,900	$41,480	$34,230	$51,790
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington	5,480	$34,970	$37,340	$28,670	$49,380
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton	700	$32,220	$35,350	$24,960	$50,320
Trenton-Princeton	280	$35,170	$39,060	$32,220	$51,720
Atlantic City-Hammonton	260	$37,490	$40,670	$32,220	$48,250
Vineland	90	$33,760	$37,690	$32,220	$48,430

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 (New Jersey): $35,850 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pet Groomer in New Jersey

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

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 New Jersey? The median annual wage for pet groomers in New Jersey is $35,850 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $32,220 and experienced professionals can earn $49,620 or more ¹.

How to Become a Pet Groomer in New Jersey

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey? New Jersey currently employs approximately 5,890 pet groomers ¹. Nationally, pet groomer employment is projected to grow 12.1% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do pet groomers earn in New Jersey compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pet groomers in New Jersey is $35,850, which is $2,380 above the national median of $33,470 according to BLS data ¹.

In New Jersey

Best Trade Schools in New Jersey (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)