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Dog Grooming Pricing Calculator: set profitable rates

Most groomers undercharge — not because they're bad at business, but because nobody taught them how to price. This calculator fixes that. Enter your costs and time, and we'll tell you exactly what to charge.

Why most groomers underprice

The grooming industry has a pricing problem. Most groomers set their rates by looking at what competitors charge — and competitors are doing the same thing. The result is a race to the bottom driven by fear, not math.

Here's what actually happens when you underprice:

  • You work more hours to make the same income
  • You attract price-sensitive clients who push back on every increase
  • You can't invest in better equipment, training, or help
  • You burn out faster because your margins are too thin
The fix isn't to charge more than the market. It's to understand your actual cost per groom so you can set a floor — and never go below it.

How to use this calculator

Enter your monthly fixed costs, your variable cost per groom, how many dogs you groom per day, and your target hourly take-home. The calculator outputs your minimum price per groom and your recommended price at a healthy margin.

What to do with your number

Your recommended price is the rate you should charge to hit your hourly target after covering all costs. Your floor is the absolute minimum — go below it and you're losing money even if you're busy.

If your current rates are below your floor: you have a problem that more clients won't fix. More volume at a loss is still a loss.

If your rates are between floor and recommended: you're profitable but underearning. Even $10–15 per groom adds up fast at volume.

If you're already at or above recommended: great. The next question is your mix — are you spending too much time on low-margin grooms?

Common questions

This is common, and it usually means one of two things: either your market is genuinely price-suppressed, or your costs are higher than average. Look at your fixed costs first. The goal isn't to match every competitor — it's to run a profitable business.
No. Your floor is per average groom time. A large double-coated dog that takes 3 hours should be priced at roughly 2× a small dog taking 1.5 hours. Run the calculator with your different service times to build a size-based menu.
At least once a year, or whenever your costs change — new rent, equipment payments, or product price increases. Your rates should drift up with your costs, not stay frozen while your margin shrinks.
For mobile, use our Route Profitability Calculator alongside this one. Mobile has extra costs (fuel, van wear) and drive time that this calculator doesn't fully capture.
Related course
Ready to go deeper on pricing?

The full pricing system built from real salon numbers — every cost that belongs in your price, your floor price, and the number you should actually charge.

How to Calculate What You Actually Need to Charge — $49
Counts toward the GC Business Foundations cert · 14-day money-back guarantee