Pet Business Job Descriptions: 4 Key Roles

A good pet business job description names the role's daily duties, required skills, schedule and pay range in plain language, so the right candidates apply and the wrong ones screen themselves out. For a grooming salon, daycare or boarding facility, that means writing four distinct descriptions: groomer, bather, attendant and manager. Each role has different physical demands, certifications and pay, and blending them into one vague posting is the fastest way to attract mismatched applicants and lose good ones.

Why does a pet business job description matter?

Pet care is a hands-on, high-turnover field. A specific description sets expectations before day one: lifting 50-pound dogs, working around barking, handling anxious animals, and weekend shifts. Owners who write clear descriptions see fewer no-shows in the first month, easier performance reviews and fewer disputes about who is responsible for what.

• Be specific about duties, not just titles.
• State physical requirements honestly (standing 8 hours, lifting up to 50 lbs).
• Include pay range and schedule; postings with pay get noticeably more applicants.
• List what you will train, so beginners know they can apply.

What is a pet groomer job description?

The groomer is the skilled craft role. Groomers perform full-service grooming: bath, haircut, breed-standard styling, nail trims, ear cleaning and finishing. They also assess coat and skin condition and communicate with owners about what they find.

Core duties

• Consult with owners on style, length and any behavior or health concerns.
• Perform haircuts and breed-specific styling with clippers, shears and hand-stripping tools.
• Check for skin issues, lumps, parasites or matting and flag them to the owner.
• Keep tools sanitized and the grooming station clean between pets.
• Record notes in each pet's profile so the next visit is consistent.

Skills and typical pay

Look for 1-2 years of experience or a grooming school certificate, plus calm animal handling. Many US groomers earn from roughly $35,000 to $60,000 or more, often through a commission split (commonly 40-60% of service price) or an hourly base plus tips. Mobile groomers frequently earn at the higher end because of larger per-day revenue.

What is a pet bather job description?

The bather is the entry point into grooming and the engine of salon throughput. Bathers wash, dry and brush out pets, trim nails, clean ears and prep dogs for the groomer. It is physically demanding and an excellent training ground.

• Bathe, condition and blow-dry dogs of all sizes safely.
• Brush out coats and de-shed on request.
• Perform nail trims and ear cleaning after training.
• Move pets between kennels, bath and grooming tables without stress or escapes.
• Clean tubs, dryers and floors throughout the day.

No experience is usually required, only reliability and a love of animals. Pay is typically hourly, often near or modestly above local minimum wage, with tips. Many salons build a clear path from bather to groomer, which dramatically improves retention.

The best pet business job description doesn't just fill a vacancy; it shows a candidate the career path from first bath to lead groomer or manager.

What is a kennel or daycare attendant job description?

Attendants are the front line of daycare and boarding. They supervise play groups, feed and medicate pets, clean runs and keep every animal safe and happy while owners are away.

• Supervise dog play groups and break up conflicts calmly.
• Follow feeding, medication and exercise instructions exactly as recorded.
• Sanitize kennels, play yards and shared surfaces on schedule.
• Check pets in and out and confirm vaccination records are current.
• Report illness, injury or behavior changes to the manager immediately.

Pet first-aid or CPR training and dog body-language knowledge are valuable. Expect hourly pay, with holiday and overnight shifts often paid at a premium because boarding peaks around holidays.

What does a pet business manager do?

The manager keeps the whole operation profitable and consistent. This role combines people management, customer service and numbers.

• Hire, schedule and coach groomers, bathers and attendants.
• Manage the booking calendar to limit gaps, double-bookings and no-shows.
• Handle complaints, incident reports and owner communication.
• Track key numbers: revenue per groomer, rebooking rate, utilization and payroll percentage.
• Order supplies, manage vendors and ensure safety and licensing compliance.

Look for prior supervisory experience in pets or retail and comfort with software. Salaries commonly range from about $45,000 to $75,000 depending on location and business size, sometimes plus a performance bonus tied to revenue or retention.

How should you make these roles easier to manage?

Clear job descriptions work best when your systems back them up. Online booking, automated reminders and deposits cut the front-desk workload, and a shared pet profile means any team member can see temperament notes and vaccination status. Commission and hourly payroll also gets complicated fast with mixed pay structures. Franpos is a cloud POS and business-management platform for pet businesses that combines online booking, payments, memberships, marketing and payroll in one place, so managers spend less time on spreadsheets. See how it fits a salon on our grooming solutions page or review pricing before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

What should a pet business job description include?

Include the title, a short company summary, daily duties, required skills and certifications, physical demands, schedule, pay range and growth opportunities.

Do groomers need a license?

Most US states do not license groomers, though some local rules and business licenses apply. Certification from a grooming school or a national association is a strong credential but is usually optional.

Should I list pay in the posting?

Yes. Postings with a stated pay range attract more qualified applicants and are legally required in a growing number of states and cities.

Can a bather become a groomer?

Absolutely. Many salons promote bathers into groomer roles after 6-12 months of training, which lowers hiring cost and improves retention.

How often should I update job descriptions?

Review them at least once a year, or whenever you add services such as daycare, memberships or mobile grooming.