Dog Grooming Schools in Alaska

The guide below serves as a collection of preparatory resources for future dog groomers in Alaska. Residents of the state who would like to pursue a career in this discipline need to know what the field is about, the possible educational routes to a solid fundamental understanding of expected duties, and the opportunities for career growth.

All of these are things we discuss in-depth below.

Readers will also find a list of specific training programs and an overview of what these schools offer. Lastly, we conclude the guide with a concise analysis of the annual average salary possibilities for dog groomers in Alaska and the conditions that determine these numbers.

How to Become a Dog Groomer in Alaska

Below is a step-by-step breakdown of how to become a dog groomer in Alaska.

Becoming Familiar with the Scope

Candidates are expected to become familiar with the profession’s scope at the beginning of their journeys to become dog groomers in Alaska. During this period, individuals may also start developing business strategies and principles.

Comprehensive Education

Naturally, education is the most important part of becoming a dog groomer. Some people have an affinity for grooming dogs, but they will still need to complete a training course to understand how the field has progressed in recent years and what state-of-the-art methods and techniques are.

If not, they risk falling behind educated professionals.

Thankfully, there are plenty of high-quality programs to consider. Thanks to online programs, even individuals who have prior commitments can learn flexibly and conveniently.

Practical Training

Online programs are great at teaching students the fundamentals of the profession. However, to secure a full-time position as a professional dog groomer in Alaska, individuals are expected to know more than the theoretical aspects of the job and the practical aspects.

For this, working as an apprentice under a certified dog groomer is a common approach. Some online training programs will also have an extensive network of dog groomers with which graduates are partnered for real-world experience.

Explore careers with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a dog obedience trainer in Alaska

Top Dog Grooming Schools in Alaska

Alaska residents may consider any of the programs below to start their dog grooming careers.

Explore nearby states for education and training:

• Dog grooming schools in Washington

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Alaska is one of the states where dog groomers are not legally required to be licensed or certified before starting their careers. However, it is worth wondering why so many people become certified anyway, even though it is voluntary.

Well, dog groomers in Alaska choose to become certified for the same reasons that several professionals in other professions choose to be certified despite it not being a mandatory requirement:

Because certification offers professional opportunities.

Firstly, customers tend to gravitate towards certified dog groomers with proven expertise. Dog grooming companies also tend to choose certified professionals over those not certified.

Furthermore, certification brings about opportunities for networking and professional certification.

The right certifying organizations to choose as candidates in Alaska are the International Professional Groomers, Inc. and the National Dog Grooming Association of America.

Salary & Career Outlook

While the annual average salary of a dog groomer can be as high as $56,024 in Alaska, this figure only pertains to those among the top 10% of the state. Those among the bottom 10% will, for some reason, take home an annual average salary of around $29,950, while the median earners will earn an annual average salary of $40,962.

These factors that influence the salary of a dog groomer in Alaska can range from their experience and location to the professional credentials and business strategy of the employee for career growth. In highlighting location as the predominant factor, we find that Fairbanks is the highest-paying destination for dog groomers in Alaska, with an annual average salary of $48,366. It is followed by Anchorage, with an annual average salary of $45,927.

The future projections for dog groomers are also very favorable, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other employment platforms continue to be optimistic about year-on-year employment growth.