Dog groomers in Wyoming are called upon to ensure that dogs look physically appealing and have good health and hygiene. To carry out their duties successfully, individuals in the state typically need a love of pets, a patient and calm attitude, and an extensive knowledge of grooming techniques.
Additionally, candidates have an edge over the competition when they understand what starting a dog grooming career in Wyoming entails even before they begin. This will ensure that they are ready for their journey and able to handle any challenge that comes along the way.
Thankfully, the guide below thoroughly explores all of these steps and considerations.
How to Become a Dog Groomer in Wyoming
The steps below are required to launch a dog grooming career in Wyoming.
Choosing a Training Path
Since the state of Wyoming does not mandate formal education for aspiring dog groomers, it is up to individual candidates to choose their path. However, many prefer attending a formal training program simply because this is the standard in the profession nowadays.
Both customers and employers prefer to work with candidates with a formal training history. Fortunately, there are several destinations to acquire that training, including in-person education at an existing salon or online training courtesy of a highly recognized educational provider.
In an upcoming section, we will examine some of the best options for Wyoming residents to consider.
Foundational Education
Most training programs will begin by explaining the fundamental concepts of the profession to interested candidates. However, before they can call themselves fully-fledged dog groomers, candidates must first perform their duties in the real world.
To avoid becoming overwhelmed, it is common for students to begin by working as apprentices under a certified dog groomer. They may then branch out to start their outfits.
Starting a Business
One of the wonderful aspects of becoming a dog groomer in Wyoming is that candidates don’t necessarily have to work for others. They can simply start their own business by running a mobile pet grooming station and leveraging the power of social media and online technologies to reach out to new clients in their vicinity.
Explore careers with similar paths:
Top Dog Grooming Schools in Wyoming
Residents of Wyoming may consider any of the institutions below for their dog grooming education.
Animal Behavior College
Cheyenne, WY Campus + Online
Through the hybrid dog grooming programs offered by the Animal Behavior College in Wyoming, aspiring dog groomers may acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
Email: email@animalbehaviorcollege.com
Tuition
$3,299 - $6,195 per ProgramContact
(800) 795-3294
Email in Bio
Penn Foster Institute
Online, WY Online Only
At Penn Foster Institute, prospective dog groomers in Wyoming receive strictly online training.
Tuition
$699 - $799 per ProgramContact
(570) 961-4033
infoims@pennfoster.com
Explore nearby states for education and training:
Licensure & Certification Requirements
As a dog groomer in Wyoming, being well-trained is the only requirement to start practicing professionally. Candidates don’t have to receive a license or become certified to launch their careers.
However, it is very uncommon to find a dog groomer without some form of certification. To become certified as a dog groomer in the state, individuals must first choose a certification organization. The most prominent option is the NDGAA—National Dog Grooming Association of America.
Another prominent option is the International Professional Groomers, Inc.
After choosing a certification organization, candidates must meet its requirements for their desired credentials and pass an examination. Then, they will be officially certified.
Salary & Career Outlook
The annual average salary of a dog groomer in Wyoming can be as high as $55,529 if they are in the highest-paid category (typically the top 10%). This was revealed by a survey of dog groomers in the state carried out on the employment platform Indeed.
The same survey showed that those in the bottom 10% earn an annual average salary of $25,805, and those in the average earners earn an annual salary of around $37,854. Naturally, more experienced candidates may expect to earn more than those just starting.
Additionally, it is common for a dog groomer’s location to influence their yearly earnings, and the same goes for their credentials and business strategy.
Focusing only on predominant locations with favorable yearly returns for dog groomers in Wyoming, we have Casper, with an annual average salary of $42,398, and Cheyenne, with an annual average salary of $39,299.