What is the Hourly Rate for a Dog Groomer in Australia? (2026)

The average hourly rate for a dog groomer in Australia is approximately $24 per hour. This figure typically represents the wage an employee receives working in a salon. However, for a dog owner, this number doesn’t tell the whole story, as you are charged for the service, not the time.

While the hourly rate is a useful metric for industry salaries, professional groomers set their prices based on a number of factors that go beyond a simple hourly calculation. Understanding this helps you see the value in the price you pay for a professional groom.

How Dog Groomers Price Their Services

Instead of charging by the hour, groomers price their work as a flat-rate service. This is because the time it takes can vary significantly from one dog to the next, even if they are the same breed.

The price you are quoted for a groom is a calculation based on:

• Dog Size: A Great Dane requires more time, product, and table space than a Chihuahua.
• Coat Type and Condition: A matted Poodle requires significantly more work than a short-haired Labrador.
• Dog’s Behaviour: An anxious or difficult dog requires more time and skill to handle safely.
• Type of Service: A full groom with a clip is more complex and time-consuming than a simple wash and tidy.

This “per-service” model ensures you get a predictable price upfront, regardless of whether your dog takes 90 minutes or two hours to complete.

Employee Wage vs. Business Overhead

It’s also important to distinguish between a groomer’s hourly wage and the price of a grooming service. When you pay for a $100 groom, you’re not just paying for the groomer’s time. That price also covers the business’s overheads, which include:

• Rent for the salon or fuel for the mobile van
• Expensive tools (clippers, blades, scissors, dryers)
• Utilities (water, electricity)
• Insurance and booking software
• High-quality shampoos and products

As noted by job sites like SEEK, the final price of a groom reflects these significant operational costs. The groomer’s hourly rate is just one component.

So, What Should You Expect to Pay?

Since you’re paying for the service, not the time, the most useful guide is a per-service price list. A full groom in Australia typically costs between $80 for a small dog and $160+ for a giant breed.

For a complete breakdown of what to expect, see our comprehensive 2026 Dog Grooming Price Guide. It provides detailed costs for different breeds, service types, and locations.