How to Become a Dog Groomer in Kansas

The guide below contains everything aspiring dog groomer in Kansas must know to begin their careers on the right path. It outlines the steps involved in the process in comprehensive detail.

Candidates interested in the licensure and certification requirements will also find key information below. To ensure that candidates know where to turn for high-quality education, a section is dedicated to examining the top dog grooming schools in and around Kansas for interested individuals to enroll in.

Lastly, the final section provides an overview of the salary projection for dog groomers in Kansas, depending on a few critical factors such as experience, location, and more.

Steps to Become a Dog Groomer in Kansas

Aspiring dog groomers in Kansas are advised to follow the steps below to start a successful dog grooming career.

Step 1: Acquire Grooming Skills from a Respectable Training Program

To be a dog groomer, candidates must have a general level of dog grooming skills but an advanced one. They must also have an in-depth knowledge of technical subjects, including the various dog breeds, their dispositions, specific grooming techniques, and even a general knowledge of the common diseases and skin issues for each breed.

To acquire such knowledge, attending a respectable training program is important. These programs can be completed between a few weeks to a few months.

In one of the upcoming sections, we highlight some notable options for interested candidates to consider.

Step 2: Develop Familiarity with Real-World Applications of your Skills

Like all fields, having a foundational, theoretical knowledge of the duties and responsibilities is important. However, the ability to put this knowledge to work through real-life applications is even more important.

Most worthwhile dog grooming training programs will allow groomers to practice their skills on real dogs of different breeds. However, gaining real-world experience away from a training environment is also important.

For this reason, it is common to see dog groomers work as assistants to established professionals before working in a more independent capacity.

Step 3: Becoming a Certified Dog Groomer

Certification is not compulsory for a dog groomer in the state of Nevada. However, as is common in most professions, employers tend to value certified professionals over those who are not.

This is because certification provides an extra layer of proof that a dog groomer can produce at a high level.

To become certified, candidates must usually apply for an examination overseen by their organization of choice. In the next section, we look more closely at certification requirements and procedures for dog groomers in Nevada.

State Licensing and Certification Requirements

The state of Kansas does not have licensing requirements for its dog groomers. However, certification is very common among professionals in the state.

In this regard, the national association concerned is the National Dog Groomers Association of America. It offers a professional credential that includes workshops and seminars for candidates to demonstrate their skills while participating in a written examination.

Once these steps are complete, they will be issued a Certified Dog Groomer credential, which they can use to secure employment anywhere in the country.

The International Professional Groomers, Inc. is another organization offering a well-respected professional credential that fresh dog groomers in Kansas may use to set themselves apart and improve their skills.

Salary and Job Outlook

The annual average salary for a dog groomer in Kansas is $43,477. This reflects those in the mid-range of factors such as experience and other criteria influencing how much a dog groomer will earn in the state.

For those among the top 10%, the annual average salary is closer to $80,802, while for those who fall in the bottom 10%, the annual average salary is $23,394.

Location is a key factor that can be optimized to earn a higher annual salary as a Kansas dog groomer. For instance, while dog groomers in Clifton earn an annual average salary of $66,129, dog groomers in Leawood and Olathe are the highest-paid in the state, earning an annual average salary of $55,037 and $649,328, respectively, dog groomers in Wichita and Kansas City earn annual average salaries of $36,972 and $35,402 respectively.

Learn about dog groomer licensing and certification in neighboring states:

Top Dog Grooming Schools in Kansas

The list below contains some of the top dog grooming schools in Kansas.

KC Grooming Academy

KC Grooming Academy in Overland Park offers hands-on training for professional pet grooming in the Kansas City Metro area. The program also offers certified dog grooming courses to be taken in person.

The Grooming Project

Pawsperity, previously known as The Grooming Project, in Kansas, offers specialized dog grooming education to equip struggling parents with the skills needed to achieve financial independence through a career in the pet grooming industry. The school’s transition to a new name reflects its commitment to prosperity through professional grooming training.

Explore neighboring states for dog grooming schools