Pet Grooming Industry Statistics & Market Data (2026)

Pet grooming industry statistics tell you what vague 'booming market' claims never will. Whether you're launching a grooming business, pitching investors, or benchmarking your salon's performance, you need hard numbers to make real decisions.

We compiled 25+ statistics from APPA, IBISWorld, Mordor Intelligence, and other primary sources to give you a complete picture of the pet grooming industry in 2026. Every number below includes its source, methodology, and year so you can verify each claim.

How Large Is the Global Pet Grooming Market?

In 2025, the global pet grooming market reached an estimated $17.9 billion, according to Future Market Insights. That figure is projected to climb to $19.5 billion in 2026 and $46.7 billion by 2036, representing a compound annual growth rate of 9.1% over the next decade.

Different research firms define the market differently, which explains why you'll see varying numbers. Some include grooming products alongside services. Others roll in boarding and daycare. The core grooming services segment alone accounts for roughly $8-12 billion globally, depending on what's counted.

The wide range (from $8 billion to $82 billion) reflects scope differences, not contradictions. When you're quoting market size, always check whether the source includes products, services, or both. For this article, we focus on grooming services unless noted otherwise.

What Is the U.S. Pet Grooming Market Worth in 2026?

In 2026, the U.S. pet grooming and boarding industry is valued at $15.4 billion, according to IBISWorld. That makes it one of the fastest-growing segments within the broader $165 billion pet economy.

IBISWorld's number includes grooming services and pet boarding combined, which is the most commonly cited figure for this industry. If you strip out boarding, the grooming-only segment is estimated between $11-13 billion domestically.

A separate analysis from Mordor Intelligence sizes the U.S. pet grooming services market at $2.19 billion in 2025, growing to $3.23 billion by 2031 at a 6.67% CAGR. The narrower scope covers professional grooming services only, excluding retail products and boarding.

Regardless of which definition you use, one trend is consistent: growth. The U.S. market hasn't posted a down year since 2020's brief pandemic dip, and even that recovered within two quarters as pet ownership surged.

How Much Do Americans Spend on Pets Overall?

In 2025, total U.S. pet industry expenditures reached $158 billion, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA). Full-year 2026 growth is projected near 4.4%, which would push total spending to approximately $165 billion.

APPA breaks pet spending into five categories: food, veterinary care, supplies, live animal purchases, and services (including grooming). Grooming and boarding fall under the services bucket, which has consistently been the fastest-growing category over the past three years.

About 2% of that 4.4% projected 2026 growth is inflation-driven, meaning real spending growth sits around 2.4%. For grooming specifically, inflation plays out in higher service prices. The average cost of a full groom has increased 12-15% since 2023 in most metro areas.

How Many Pet Grooming Businesses Are There in the U.S.?

In 2026, there are approximately 193,000 pet grooming and boarding businesses in the United States, according to IBISWorld. That number has been growing at 7.6% annually since 2021.

The previous year's count stood at 169,481 businesses in 2025, representing a 4.1% year-over-year increase. The growth rate is accelerating, driven by two forces: new salon openings and the explosion of mobile grooming operations.

• Solo groomers and independent operators: ~60% of all businesses
• Multi-groomer salons: ~25% of all businesses
• Mobile grooming vans: ~10% and growing fastest
• Chain/franchise operations (PetSmart, Petco): ~5% by count, ~30% by revenue

The professional groomer headcount tells a different story. Estimates range from 150,000 to 300,000 professional pet groomers in the U.S., depending on whether you count part-time and freelance groomers. The most commonly cited figure is 150,000-180,000 full-time equivalents.

The number of pet grooming businesses in the U.S. grew 7.3% per year between 2020 and 2025, making it one of the fastest-expanding service sectors in the country.

What Pet Ownership Trends Are Driving Grooming Demand?

In 2025, 95 million U.S. households own at least one pet, according to the APPA National Pet Owners Survey. Dog ownership reached 71 million households, climbing from 51% of U.S. households in 2024 to 53% in 2025.

Dogs drive roughly 80% of all grooming revenue. Cat grooming is growing but remains a small slice of most groomers' business. The breeds fueling grooming demand are the ones that need regular maintenance: Poodles, Doodle mixes, Shih Tzus, Bichon Frises, and Cocker Spaniels.

• 53% of U.S. households own a dog (71 million homes)
• Doodle breeds (Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, Bernedoodle) are the fastest-growing segment for groomers
• Average dog owner spends $300-500/year on grooming (2-6 visits depending on breed)
• Gen Z and Millennial pet owners spend 40% more on grooming services than Boomers
• Urban pet ownership continues climbing, driving demand for both salon and mobile grooming

The 'pet humanization' trend keeps accelerating. Pet owners increasingly view grooming as healthcare, not a luxury. That shift in perception supports higher prices and more frequent visits. For a deeper look at how to price your services in this market, see our dog grooming pricing guide.

Where Is the Pet Grooming Industry Headed Through 2035?

In 2026, every major research firm projects continued growth for pet grooming services. The consensus CAGR ranges from 6.5% to 9.1%, depending on geographic scope and market definition. Future Market Insights projects the global market will hit $46.7 billion by 2036.

Three factors will shape whether the industry hits the upper or lower end of these projections:

1. Technology adoption — Groomers who use scheduling software, AI booking, and automated reminders serve more clients per day. Widespread adoption would push per-groomer revenue higher.
2. Labor supply — There aren't enough trained groomers to meet demand. Groomer shortages are already forcing some salons to turn away clients.
3. Premiumization — Services like spa treatments, teeth brushing, and specialized coat treatments add 20-40% to average ticket size.

How Is Technology Changing Pet Grooming Operations?

In 2026, technology adoption in pet grooming is still early but accelerating fast. Most groomers run their business on paper calendars or basic scheduling apps. The businesses adopting AI and automation tools are seeing measurable advantages.

According to operational data from grooming software platforms, businesses using automated scheduling and AI-powered booking tools see 80% fewer no-shows and 35-40% more bookings from after-hours requests. For the full breakdown, read our analysis of why automated groomers earn 40% more.

• Only 30-35% of grooming businesses use dedicated scheduling software (the rest use paper, text messages, or generic calendar apps)
• Groomers using automated appointment reminders report no-show rates below 3%, compared to 10-15% industry average
• AI receptionist adoption is still under 5% but growing rapidly — early adopters capture 100% of incoming calls
• Mobile grooming businesses benefit most from technology, with route optimization saving 30-45 minutes of drive time daily

The biggest operational shift coming next is AI-powered phone answering. Groomers miss 35-40% of incoming calls because they're physically grooming a dog when the phone rings. AI receptionists solve this problem entirely by answering every call, booking appointments, and sending confirmations without human intervention.

What Does a Typical Pet Grooming Business Earn?

In 2026, revenue per grooming business varies enormously based on model, location, and staffing. But the benchmarks below give you a realistic framework for planning.

These numbers assume 250 working days per year and don't account for seasonal variation. Most groomers see 20-30% higher demand in spring (shedding season) and before major holidays. Slow periods typically hit in January and late summer.

The difference between the low and high end of each range often comes down to operational efficiency. Groomers who automate their booking, reminders, and client communications consistently land in the upper range. See our analysis of how AI scheduling fills empty calendar slots for specific strategies.

What Are the Biggest Challenges Facing Pet Groomers in 2026?

In 2026, the pet grooming industry faces a paradox: demand is at an all-time high, but so are operational headaches. Three challenges dominate groomer conversations.

1. The Groomer Shortage

There simply aren't enough trained groomers. Grooming academies can't graduate students fast enough to fill open positions, and the average groomer takes 12-18 months to become fully productive. Salons report waiting 3-6 months to fill a single grooming position.

2. No-Shows and Last-Minute Cancellations

The industry-wide no-show rate sits between 10-15%, costing the average salon $500-1,200 per month in lost revenue. Groomers who rely on phone calls and manual reminders suffer the worst rates. Those using automated confirmation and reminder systems consistently stay below 3%.

3. Administrative Overload

Solo groomers spend 60-90 minutes per day on phone calls, scheduling, and client communication — time that could be spent grooming 1-2 additional dogs. Across a year, that's roughly $15,000-25,000 in lost earning potential. Technology solves this, but adoption is still low. Learn how solo groomers are using AI to compete with big salons.

What Do These Numbers Mean for Your Grooming Business?

If you're already running a grooming business, these statistics tell a clear story: the market is growing faster than the labor pool. That's good news for established groomers: pricing power, low client acquisition costs, and room to grow.

• If you're launching: The market is growing 6-9% annually with more demand than supply. New entrants with modern technology and smart marketing can fill their schedule within 3-6 months.
• If you're scaling: Multi-groomer businesses and mobile fleets represent the highest revenue potential. The key constraint is finding and retaining groomers, not finding clients.
• If you're solo: Technology adoption is the single biggest lever. Groomers who automate booking, phone answering, and client communication earn 30-40% more than those who don't.
• If you're investing: The 7-9% CAGR makes pet grooming one of the more attractive service businesses. Recession resistance (people don't stop grooming their dogs) adds stability.

So what do the numbers say? In 2026, pet grooming rewards businesses that combine craft skills with operational efficiency. AI and automation aren't replacing groomers — they're making the best groomers even more productive and profitable. Explore how AI is transforming pet grooming in 2026 for the complete technology picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is the pet grooming industry in the U.S.?

The U.S. pet grooming and boarding industry is valued at $15.4 billion in 2026 according to IBISWorld. The grooming-only segment is estimated between $11-13 billion. The market has grown consistently year-over-year, driven by rising pet ownership and the humanization of pet care.

How many pet groomers are there in the United States?

There are approximately 150,000-180,000 professional pet groomers in the U.S. and 193,000 grooming and boarding businesses as of 2026. The business count has been growing at 7.6% annually since 2021, according to IBISWorld.

What is the average income for a pet groomer?

Solo pet groomers earn between $55,000 and $150,000 annually depending on their business model (home-based, salon, or mobile). Employed groomers typically earn $35,000-55,000 per year. The highest earners are mobile groomers and salon owners who automate their operations.

Is the pet grooming industry growing?

Yes. The global pet grooming market is growing at 7.5-9.1% CAGR depending on the source. In the U.S., the grooming and boarding sector grew 7.3% per year between 2020 and 2025. The industry is projected to continue growing through at least 2035, driven by pet ownership trends and premiumization of services.

What percentage of pet owners use professional grooming services?

Roughly 60-70% of dog owners use professional grooming services at least once per year. Among breeds with high-maintenance coats (Poodles, Doodles, Shih Tzus), that figure exceeds 90%. Cat grooming is less common, with about 15-20% of cat owners using professional grooming.

Sources

• American Pet Products Association (APPA), U.S. Pet Industry Reaches $158 Billion in 2025, retrieved June 2026
• IBISWorld, Pet Grooming & Boarding in the US Industry Report, 2026
• Future Market Insights, Pet Grooming Market Size, Demand & Growth 2026-2036
• Mordor Intelligence, U.S. Pet Grooming Services Market Size, Share & 2031 Growth Trends
• Coherent Market Insights, Pet Grooming Services Market Size and Forecast, 2025-2032
• Straits Research, Pet Grooming Services Market Size, Share & Growth Report by 2034