the custom, worked on real prices
How much to tip a dog groomer
The custom is 15 to 20 percent of the bill, the same as a haircut. On a full groom at the salon median of $70, that is $11 to $14.
Updated October 15, 2026. Prices are salon starting prices, from the menus salons posted on their own websites.
15 to 20 percent of $70, the median starting price for a full groom across 1,593 salons. The percentage is a custom, not a rule.
The tip, worked out
Computed from salon median starting prices and rounded to the dollar. Bigger dogs and thicker coats cost more, and so does the tip.
Pet insurance generally covers what happens after a policy starts.
Opens a quote form on the partner's site in a new tab. Whether to buy anything there is up to you.
PawsRx may be paid if you buy a plan through this link. We don't compare or recommend plans. The quotes and the choice are on the partner's site.
Ask the practice to split it first. If it can't, you can apply to pay over time.
PawsRx may be paid when you apply. Approval and terms are the lender's, we never see your application, and we don't choose one for you.
Who you are tipping
- An employee groomerThe tip goes to the person who did the work, and that is who most tipping is for.
- The salon ownerAn owner sets the prices and keeps the whole bill, so some do not expect a tip. A tip is never wrong, and it is fine to ask what is usual at that salon.
- A mobile groomerThe same custom applies. A trip fee is part of the price, not a tip.
- A bather and a groomerIf two people worked on your dog, ask whether the tip is shared.
What changes the amount
- A small serviceA nail trim starts at a median of $15, so 15 to 20 percent is $2 to $3, and that is fine.
- A matted or anxious dogThe groom took more work. Many salons charge a dematting fee for it, and a larger tip is a way to thank the groomer too.
- The holidaysFor a groomer you see regularly, a larger tip or a card at the end of the year is a common thank-you.
- A package or a planIf the groom came with a package or a stay, base the tip on what the groom would have cost. Some memberships include the tip and some do not, so ask.
finding a groomer
Know the price before you book
The tip follows the bill, so start with the price. The PawsRx groomer finder shows each salon’s own menu and prices, and you can send a booking request from the salon’s page.
Pet insurance generally covers what happens after a policy starts.
Opens a quote form on the partner's site in a new tab. Whether to buy anything there is up to you.
PawsRx may be paid if you buy a plan through this link. We don't compare or recommend plans. The quotes and the choice are on the partner's site.
Ask the practice to split it first. If it can't, you can apply to pay over time.
PawsRx may be paid when you apply. Approval and terms are the lender's, we never see your application, and we don't choose one for you.
Common questions
How much should I tip a dog groomer?
The custom is the same as for a haircut: 15 to 20 percent of the bill. A full dog groom at a salon starts at a median of $70, across 1,593 salons (October 2026), so a tip on that groom is $11 to $14.
Are you supposed to tip your dog groomer?
Yes, tipping a groomer is customary in the US, the same as tipping for a haircut. A tip is still yours to decide.
Do you tip a groomer who owns the salon?
Some owners do not expect a tip, because they set the prices and keep the whole bill. A tip is never wrong, and it is fine to ask what is usual at that salon.
Do you tip a mobile dog groomer?
Yes, the same custom applies. A trip fee is part of the price, not a tip.
How much do you tip for a nail trim?
The same share of a smaller bill. A nail trim at a salon starts at a median of $15 (October 2026), so 15 to 20 percent is $2 to $3.
Should I tip more if my dog was matted?
A matted coat takes more work. Many salons charge a dematting fee for it, and a larger tip is a way to thank the groomer too.
Do you tip a groomer at the holidays?
For a groomer you see regularly, a larger tip or a card at the end of the year is a common thank-you.
PawsRx is a platform, not a groomer. Tipping is up to you, and prices are set by each salon. Nothing here is veterinary advice.