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Kennel attendant vs pet groomer

The differences between kennel attendants and pet groomers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-3 months to become both a kennel attendant and a pet groomer. Additionally, a pet groomer has an average salary of $32,139, which is higher than the $26,373 average annual salary of a kennel attendant.

The top three skills for a kennel attendant include PET, animal handling and facility laundry. The most important skills for a pet groomer are PET, dryers, and pet care.

Kennel attendant vs pet groomer overview

Kennel AttendantPet Groomer
Yearly salary$26,373$32,139
Hourly rate$12.68$15.45
Growth rate28%28%
Number of jobs72,23963,641
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 36%
Average age3232
Years of experience33

What does a kennel attendant do?

A kennel attendant is responsible for the daily care of boarded dogs and kennel maintenance. Some of the duties that you will perform will include cleaning cages, scheduling boarding appointments, and monitoring the behavior of these dogs. In addition, it is your responsibility to clean spilled food and animal waste and to dispose of trash on time. Other duties include walking animals if required, ensuring that the animals are always comfortable, and evacuating them when an emergency arises.

What does a pet groomer do?

A pet groomer typically works with pets and other animals in pet grooming boutiques and pet stores. As a pet groomer, you will perform a few tasks that may include cleaning and taking care of pets such as dogs, maintaining the cleanliness of the work area for the next client, and working with the cash registers. In addition, you will groom dogs and cats using different tools and techniques, ensuring that pets stay safe and are well taken care of.

Kennel attendant vs pet groomer salary

Kennel attendants and pet groomers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Kennel AttendantPet Groomer
Average salary$26,373$32,139
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $34,000Between $21,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between kennel attendant and pet groomer education

There are a few differences between a kennel attendant and a pet groomer in terms of educational background:

Kennel AttendantPet Groomer
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 36%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesBusiness
Most common collegeVermont Technical CollegeUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst

Kennel attendant vs pet groomer demographics

Here are the differences between kennel attendants' and pet groomers' demographics:

Kennel AttendantPet Groomer
Average age3232
Gender ratioMale, 20.8% Female, 79.2%Male, 14.0% Female, 86.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.7% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 2.6% White, 68.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between kennel attendant and pet groomer duties and responsibilities

Kennel attendant example responsibilities.

  • Assist in managing shelter for animals and arranging for adoption or euthanasia of confiscate animals.
  • Train to give dogs baths, brushing out coats, scissoring, and toenails.
  • Perform animal grooming duties such as washing, brushing, clipping, and trimming coats, etc.
  • Experience in the use of specialize equipment such as cage washers, autoclaves and animal transport vehicles.
  • Assist owner in preforming body clips and bathing/drying dogs and cats, preform all grooming tasks including clipper skills except scissoring.
  • Operate cage/bottle washers, autoclaves and bedding dispensing/disposal equipment.
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Pet groomer example responsibilities.

  • Achieve detailed grooming including skin, ear, nail care, coat clips and dental care.
  • Manage all breeding, whelping, raising of puppies, grooming and showing of dogs for owners in the AKC.
  • Perform animal grooming duties such as washing, brushing, clipping and trimming coats, cutting nail and cleaning ears.
  • Dedicate to building rapport with pet owners by proving excellent customer service and individualize care.
  • Experience with dogs, cats, birds, chickens, pigs, and sheep.
  • Take care of the delivery of small pets such as: fish, guinea pigs, reptiles, etc.
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Kennel attendant vs pet groomer skills

Common kennel attendant skills
  • PET, 39%
  • Animal Handling, 10%
  • Facility Laundry, 8%
  • Animal Hospital, 5%
  • Animal Restraint, 4%
  • Administer Medications, 4%
Common pet groomer skills
  • PET, 76%
  • Dryers, 20%
  • Pet Care, 1%
  • Salon Services, 1%
  • Cleanliness, 0%
  • Customer Service, 0%

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