How to Price Your Dog Grooming Services in 2026
Stop undercharging. Here's a complete framework for pricing your grooming services based on skill, experience, and local market rates.
Pricing is the #1 thing groomers get wrong. Most undercharge because they feel guilty or compare themselves to the cheapest shop in town. This guide will fix that.
Start with your hourly rate, not per-dog pricing
A full groom on a Goldendoodle takes 2-3 hours. A bath on a Chihuahua takes 30 minutes. If you charge a flat rate per breed, you're losing money on the hard dogs and overcharging on easy ones. Start with a target hourly rate and work backwards.
The $60/hour minimum rule
In North America in 2026, a professional dog groomer should charge at least $60/hour to cover expenses, insurance, and a livable income. Anything below that and you're running a hobby, not a business. Many experienced groomers charge $75-$100/hour.
Research your local market
Call 5-10 groomers in your area and ask for their pricing. Don't undercut them — match the mid-range or go slightly above if you offer premium service. Being the cheapest attracts price-shoppers, not loyal clients.
Price for the worst dogs, not the best
If you quote $80 and the dog is a matted nightmare that takes 4 hours, you just worked for $20/hour. Always quote a range (e.g., "$80-$120 depending on coat condition") and communicate the final price after inspection.
Add-ons are where the profit lives
Base price: $80. Teeth brushing: +$15. De-shedding treatment: +$25. Blueberry facial: +$10. Nail grinding: +$8. A base $80 groom can easily become $140 with add-ons — and clients happily pay for them. Always offer upsells.
Raise your prices every year
Your costs go up every year. So should your prices. Raise them 5-10% annually. Your good clients won't care. Your price-shoppers will leave — and that's fine, they were never going to be loyal anyway.
Sample pricing structure (Portland, 2026)
- Small dog bath & brush: $50
- Small dog full groom: $80
- Medium dog full groom: $100
- Large dog full groom: $130
- Doodle full groom: $140+
- Matted coat surcharge: +$20-$60
- Same-day service: +$20
- De-shedding treatment: +$25
What to do now
Look at your current pricing and ask: am I making $60+/hour on my average appointment? If not, raise your prices today. Your clients will grumble for a week and then forget. You'll make thousands more per year. It's not even close.
