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The work of bathers is the most physically
demanding. Their work areas are warm, humid
and loud. They loosen plenty of dirt and
dander every day, and get wet again and again.
They are faced with cleaning heavily-soiled
pets, some in atrocious condition with caked
feces and urine soaked sanitary areas. Well,
you get the idea. Pet bathing is not a glory
job compared to finish grooming. Experienced
groomers bond to great bathers; they make the
workday so much more pleasant and the output
more professional. However, wages for bathers
are generally quite low. It’s been this way
for as long as we can remember. Some make
minimum wage while others may earn up to
$12.00 an hour depending upon regional trends.
Full-charge pet groomers may be paid
hourly. Their compensation can be as little as
$10 an hour or as high as $30 or more an hour.
The latter would apply to highly-experienced
and productive full-charge groomers.
Hourly wages usually imply that the
employer is not guaranteeing a minimum amount
of hours per pay period. Employees of major
pet salons find this manner of compensation
reasonable and acceptable when the business is
so large and busy year round from consistent
pet owners there is always work for employees.
We don’t favor this system for regular
full-time employees and instead look to
salaries.
Salary Wages
Generally salary wages involve a guaranteed
wage per pay period. Where salaries are paid
it is usually for management and full-charge
positions, and rarely pet bathers or
assistants. Most salaries in any field of
business are based on an hourly wage,
multiplied by the expected number of hours of
work per pay period and annualized. The primary difference
between hourly and salary is that salary is
usually guaranteed for the term of employment.
 In our
business we successfully used salaries for key
full-charge grooming positions. Sometimes
assistants were given a salary as well as the
Bathing Department Supervisor position
(defined in the book,
From Problems to Profits).
Contrary to popular belief our employees found
the consistent paycheck guarantee provided
them with peace-of-mind knowing they could
meet their set monthly household budget. Our
system is described in From Problems to
Profits. Estimates and surveys show that about
25% of full-charge groomers are on salaries or
variations of salaries today.
Salaries are not a method to shortchange
groomers from better earnings. Salaried
groomers may earn more than commissioned
groomers. Salaries do offer advantages for
both employers and employees compared to
commission-based wages although some groomers
find that hard to believe.
Before we can compare compensations you must
fully understand commission wages. Most career
seekers entering the pet grooming industry
have never been paid on a commission basis.
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