How much does dog grooming cost?
A full dog groom typically costs about $65: roughly $25-$100 for small dogs and up to $180 for giant or heavy-coat breeds; mobile adds 10-30%.
Key takeaways
- Bark puts the national average full groom at $85, while size-based typicals cluster around $60-$77 for small-to-medium dogs.
- Cost climbs with size: Bark cites small $25-$100, medium $35-$120, large $50-$140, and giant $60-$180.
- Coat type is a major driver: curly/poodle coats run $80-$120+ and long coats $70-$140+, versus $25-$70 for short coats (Bark).
- Mobile grooming costs about 10-30% more than a salon for the door-to-door, one-on-one service, per Bark and QC Pet Studies.
- De-matting is a common surcharge: $10-$100+ (Bark) or $20-$60+ (QC Pet Studies) depending on severity.
A full dog groom typically costs about $65, with a national average of $85 (Bark). Expect roughly $25-$100 for small dogs, more for larger dogs and high-maintenance coats, up to $180 for giant breeds. Coat type, location, and add-ons like de-matting move the price the most.
What dog grooming costs
A standard full groom usually includes a bath, haircut or trim, nail trim, and ear cleaning. Price scales mostly with your dog’s size and coat, since bigger dogs and thicker or curlier coats take more time and product. The table below shows current ranges from the sources we checked.
| Dog size | Typical full-groom range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under ~20 lbs) | $25-$100 (avg $62); $30-$60 | Bark, QC Pet Studies |
| Medium (~20-50 lbs) | $35-$120 (avg $77); $50-$80 | Bark, QC Pet Studies |
| Large (~50-80 lbs) | $50-$140 (avg $95); $70-$120 | Bark, QC Pet Studies |
| Giant / XL (80+ lbs) | $60-$180 (avg $120); $90-$150+ | Bark, QC Pet Studies |
Bark lists the overall national average at $85, which is why a typical full groom for a small-to-medium dog lands around $65 for many owners.
Pricing by coat type
Coat matters as much as size. Bark’s coat-based ranges are $25-$70 for short/smooth coats, $50-$75 for medium coats, $70-$140+ for long coats, $80-$120+ for curly/poodle coats, and $70-$140 for double coats. QC Pet Studies similarly puts doodles and poodles at $80-$150+ and short-coat breeds at $30-$50. Curly and long coats cost more because they require far more clipper and brushing time.
What moves the price
- Size: Larger dogs cost more across every source, topping out around $180 for giant breeds (Bark).
- Coat type: Curly, long, and double coats add significant time and cost versus short coats.
- Mobile vs. salon: Mobile grooming runs about 10-30% more for the door-to-door convenience, per Bark and QC Pet Studies.
- Location: Bark notes major-metro salons (NYC, SF, LA) run 30-50% above national averages.
- Add-ons: De-matting ($10-$100+ per Bark; $20-$60+ per QC), nail grinding ($5-$15), specialty shampoos ($5-$30), and flea/tick treatment ($15-$30+) all raise the bill.
- Discounts: Bark notes package or membership plans can save 10-20%.
How to keep grooming affordable
Book regular appointments to prevent matting, which is one of the most expensive surcharges. Brushing at home between visits, especially for curly and long coats, reduces salon time. Compare salon versus mobile pricing for your specific dog, and ask which services are bundled into the base price. These figures are national estimates; confirm the current quote with your local groomer, since prices vary by region and coat condition.
How to save on dog grooming
- Brush and detangle your dog at home between visits so groomers do not charge extra for matting or add-on dematting time.
- Book a bath-and-brush or a la carte service instead of a full haircut when your breed does not need a trim.
- Handle nail trims, ear cleaning, and basic bathing yourself and pay the groomer only for the clip.
- Learn to clipper simple coats at home with a decent set of clippers, which pays for itself after a few grooms.
- Choose an independent or mobile groomer’s slower weekday slots, and ask about loyalty or multi-dog discounts.
- Keep a regular schedule, since overgrown and matted coats take longer and cost more than routine maintenance grooms.
- Ask about first-visit or referral discounts, and consider a grooming school clinic where supervised students charge less.
Cost scenarios
Budget: At about $25 you get a basic bath and brush for a small, short-haired dog, or the use of a self-service wash station where you do the work.
Typical: Around $65 covers a full groom for a medium dog, including bath, haircut, nail trim, ear cleaning, and a light finish.
Premium: Near $180 reflects a large or heavily matted double-coated breed, detailed breed-specific styling, or a mobile groomer who comes to your door.
Cost by state
Prices vary by where you live. These estimates scale the national typical ($65) by each state's overall price level, so treat them as a regional guide rather than a quote for how much does dog grooming cost?.
See all 50 states + DC
| State | Estimated typical | vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $58 | -11% |
| Alaska | $67 | +2% |
| Arizona | $65 | +1% |
| Arkansas | $57 | -13% |
| California | $72 | +11% |
| Colorado | $67 | +3% |
| Connecticut | $67 | +4% |
| Delaware | $65 | 0% |
| District of Columbia | $71 | +10% |
| Florida | $67 | +3% |
| Georgia | $63 | -4% |
| Hawaii | $71 | +10% |
| Idaho | $62 | -5% |
| Illinois | $65 | 0% |
| Indiana | $61 | -7% |
| Iowa | $57 | -12% |
| Kansas | $59 | -10% |
| Kentucky | $59 | -10% |
| Louisiana | $57 | -12% |
| Maine | $63 | -3% |
| Maryland | $68 | +5% |
| Massachusetts | $69 | +6% |
| Michigan | $63 | -4% |
| Minnesota | $64 | -1% |
| Mississippi | $57 | -13% |
| Missouri | $59 | -9% |
| Montana | $62 | -5% |
| Nebraska | $59 | -10% |
| Nevada | $65 | 0% |
| New Hampshire | $68 | +4% |
| New Jersey | $71 | +9% |
| New Mexico | $60 | -8% |
| New York | $70 | +8% |
| North Carolina | $61 | -6% |
| North Dakota | $58 | -11% |
| Ohio | $60 | -7% |
| Oklahoma | $57 | -12% |
| Oregon | $67 | +3% |
| Pennsylvania | $63 | -2% |
| Rhode Island | $66 | +2% |
| South Carolina | $61 | -6% |
| South Dakota | $58 | -11% |
| Tennessee | $60 | -8% |
| Texas | $63 | -3% |
| Utah | $64 | -1% |
| Vermont | $64 | -2% |
| Virginia | $66 | +1% |
| Washington | $70 | +7% |
| West Virginia | $58 | -11% |
| Wisconsin | $61 | -6% |
| Wyoming | $60 | -7% |
Regional estimates scale our national typical by BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), an index of overall state price levels — actual variation for this specific service differs. Source: BEA.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a full dog groom cost?
The national average is about $85 (Bark), with a typical small-to-medium groom around $65. Ranges run from $25 for small short-coat dogs up to $180 for giant breeds.
How much does grooming cost by dog size?
Per Bark: small dogs $25-$100, medium $35-$120, large $50-$140, and giant $60-$180. QC Pet Studies cites similar tiers from $30 to $150+.
Why does grooming cost more for poodles and doodles?
Curly coats need far more clipper and brushing time. Bark prices curly/poodle coats at $80-$120+ and QC Pet Studies at $80-$150+, versus $25-$50 for short coats.
How much more does mobile dog grooming cost?
Mobile grooming typically costs about 10-30% more than a salon for the door-to-door, one-on-one service, according to Bark and QC Pet Studies.
How much is the de-matting fee?
De-matting is a common surcharge of $10-$100+ (Bark) or $20-$60+ (QC Pet Studies), depending on how severe the matting is.
Does location affect grooming prices?
Yes. Bark notes major-metro salons in cities like NYC, SF, and LA run 30-50% above national averages.
Sources
How we estimate this
Every figure on this page is compiled from the public sources cited above and given as a low–typical–high range rather than a single false-precise number. Where costs vary by location we scale the national typical using published state price levels. We recheck figures on a set schedule and stamp each report with the date last verified. We are independent and are never paid to change a number — see how we price things.
