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Pet care associate vs bather

The differences between pet care associates and bathers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-3 months to become both a pet care associate and a bather. Additionally, a pet care associate has an average salary of $35,635, which is higher than the $31,051 average annual salary of a bather.

The top three skills for a pet care associate include PET, customer service and sales floor. The most important skills for a bather are PET, check-in, and customer satisfaction.

Pet care associate vs bather overview

Pet Care AssociateBather
Yearly salary$35,635$31,051
Hourly rate$17.13$14.93
Growth rate28%28%
Number of jobs84,25656,255
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%High School Diploma, 48%
Average age3232
Years of experience33

What does a pet care associate do?

Pet care associates, though holding a small position, will find its scope much larger than one would initially expect. This position requires an individual with gentleness, patience, confidence, carefulness, diligence, and a hard-working attitude. Paying out at around $33K per year, those who choose this career will be required to help customers with questions and issues related to small mammals, reptiles, fish, and birds.

What does a bather do?

A bather typically works at veterinary clinics and pet grooming establishments where they are primarily in charge of bathing animals, particularly cats and dogs. They are responsible for ensuring that the animals are comfortable with the water temperature, using particular soap and shampoo, drying fur, and adhering to the pet owner's other requests. They may also cut toenails, comb and brush coat, and administer particular products when necessary. Moreover, as a bather, it is essential to be proactive in dealing with issues and temperamental pets.

Pet care associate vs bather salary

Pet care associates and bathers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Pet Care AssociateBather
Average salary$35,635$31,051
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $48,000Between $22,000 And $42,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MN-
Highest paying stateOregon-
Best paying companyPurr'n Pooch-
Best paying industryRetail-

Differences between pet care associate and bather education

There are a few differences between a pet care associate and a bather in terms of educational background:

Pet Care AssociateBather
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%High School Diploma, 48%
Most common majorBiologyMedical Assisting Services
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityVermont Technical College

Pet care associate vs bather demographics

Here are the differences between pet care associates' and bathers' demographics:

Pet Care AssociateBather
Average age3232
Gender ratioMale, 24.8% Female, 75.2%Male, 14.2% Female, 85.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 2.6% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 2.6% White, 68.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between pet care associate and bather duties and responsibilities

Pet care associate example responsibilities.

  • Achieve detailed grooming including skin, ear, nail care, coat clips and dental care.
  • Prepare foods for various animals to include reptiles, snakes, hamsters, and birds etc.
  • Communicate with customers about events/concerns in which include their pet.
  • Assist patients in meeting their personal care needs and provide individualized interventions while encouraging patient involvement and promoting independence.
  • Used touch point and SMS and can quickly adapt to other computer software's.

Bather example responsibilities.

  • Manage all breeding, whelping, raising of puppies, grooming and showing of dogs for owners in the AKC.
  • Advise customers on proper pet nutrition, and pick a proper shampoo program to ensure healthy coats for individual pets.
  • Sustain pet care excellence in a dynamic and fast-pace environment
  • Read written or receive oral instructions to determine clipping pattern desire.
  • Detail orient work and recognizing signs of rashes, allergies and potential behavioral problems in dogs.
  • Bathe dogs, clip/ground nails, clean ears, brush teeth and shave paw pads/sanitary area, express anal glands.
  • Show more

Pet care associate vs bather skills

Common pet care associate skills
  • PET, 55%
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Sales Floor, 4%
  • Quality Care, 3%
  • Administer Medications, 2%
  • Fish Tanks, 2%
Common bather skills
  • PET, 79%
  • Check-In, 7%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%
  • Compassion, 4%
  • Book Appointments, 2%
  • Develop Long Term, 1%

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