How to price your grooming services
Stop pricing off what the chain paid you. Price by time, breed, coat, skill, and your local market — and keep the full increase, because it's your book and your revenue.
The short answer: set a base price per service, then add surcharges for size, coat condition, matting, and specialty work. As a 2026 range, bath-and-brush runs ~$40–$110 and full grooms ~$75–$200+, with major-metro full grooms commonly at $85–$180. Price by chair time and your skill — not by commission-era habits.
Typical 2026 grooming price ranges
A starting point to calibrate against your market — adjust up for premium areas, difficult coats, and specialty skill.
| Service | Typical price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Bath & brush (small/medium) | $40–$70 | Wash, dry, brush-out, nails, ears |
| Bath & brush (large/double-coat) | $70–$110 | More product, more dry time, de-shed |
| Full groom (small breed) | $75–$120 | Bath plus full haircut and styling |
| Full groom (large/doodle) | $110–$200+ | Heavy de-matting, longer chair time |
| De-shedding add-on | $15–$40 | High-volume undercoat removal |
| Specialty / hand-strip / show cut | $120–$250+ | Skilled, time-intensive breed work |
What your price should actually reflect
Time in the chair
Price by how long a dog actually takes — a matted doodle can be 3× the work of a tidy terrier. Track your minutes per groom and back into an effective hourly rate you're happy with.
Breed & coat condition
Double coats, curly coats, and severe matting demand more skill, product, and dry time. Build a clear matting/condition surcharge so you're never punished for taking hard cases.
Your skill & specialization
Certifications, hand-stripping, breed-standard cuts, and reliable results justify premium pricing. Don't anchor your rates to what a chain paid you on commission.
Local market
Full grooms run $85–$180 in major metros and higher in premium neighborhoods. Check what quality independents near you charge — not just the chains — and price toward the top of your value, not the bottom.
Grooming pricing — FAQ
How much should I charge for dog grooming?
Price by time, breed, coat condition, your skill, and local market. As a 2026 range, bath-and-brush runs about $40–$110 and full grooms about $75–$200+, with large or double-coated dogs and heavy de-matting at the higher end. In major metros, full grooms commonly land $85–$180. Set a base price per service and add surcharges for matting, size, and specialty work.
How do groomers calculate pricing?
Most experienced groomers price by chair time and difficulty rather than a flat menu. They estimate how long each groom takes, target an effective hourly rate they want to earn, and add line-item charges for de-shedding, de-matting, nails, teeth, and specialty cuts. Tracking minutes per groom for a few weeks reveals which services are actually profitable.
Should independent groomers charge more than chains?
Usually, yes. Chains compete on volume and convenience; independents compete on skill, consistency, and a personal relationship with the pet and owner. When you own your book and keep 100% of service revenue, raising prices toward your true market value directly increases your take-home — there's no commission split eating the increase.
How do I raise my grooming prices without losing clients?
Give notice, raise in modest increments (often 5–15%), and tie it to value — more time, better products, or added services. Most loyal clients accept periodic increases, especially from an independent groomer they trust. Because you keep your full revenue, even a small, well-communicated increase compounds meaningfully over a year.
Keep 100% of every price increase
In your own suite there's no commission split — when you raise your rates, the full difference is yours.