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South Carolina offers many opportunities for dog groomers.
So, if you love animals, this could be a rewarding profession.
Check out the information below in order to learn what are the requirements in this state.
Article Table of Contents
South Carolina Requirements to Become a Dog Groomer
To be a successful dog groomer, you need to show kindness and empathy to animals.
Earn your accredited, affordable Pet and Dog Grooming Certificate online with Penn Foster in as little as 2 months!
You should also be calm, patient, and know how to keep them relaxed.
You should be in good physical standing and able to stand for a few hours at a time.
It is also essential that you have solid communication skills and are sociable.
Dog Grooming Duties and Responsibilities
When a dog arrives at the salon, you should check its fur and skin.
This will help you realize whether there are any signs of skin disease or infections.
You will be asked to cut the dog’s nails, shave its fur, and wash it.
You may also have to style or color its fur.
Last but not least, you should keep your workspace disinfected and clean at all times.
Training and Certification in South Carolina
Although you will not need a certification to practice, you will need one to get hired.
Before you can be issued a license, you have to attend a training program to develop your skills.
The program should be accredited by The National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA).
To enroll in a trade school, you need a high school diploma and to pass a background check.
Some of the training classes include subjects such as:
- Introduction to grooming
- Grooming dogs
- Grooming cats
- Tools to use
- How to run a successful business
Many dog training programs are available online as well.
So, you can complete your training even if you have another job.
The programs vary in length but usually last for about 8 weeks.
However, some students choose to pursue higher education.
You can get a specialization as well, which will provide better chances for a job.
In this case, you can expect the training to last up to one year.
After you finish the training program through your chosen trade school, you need to pass some exams.
The exams will cover theory as well as practice.
Passing these exams means you will be able to receive your dog grooming certification.
Employment and Salary Information
In South Carolina, dog groomers earn a median salary of about $32,523 per year.
But, how much you will earn depends on several factors.
One of these is your location, as you can earn a higher salary in bigger cities.
If you have some experience in the industry you will also be able to earn more.
Another way of increasing your salary is by starting your own dog grooming company.
In any case, you should expect your first position to be paid less if you just finished school.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Charleston | $32,996 |
| Columbia | $32,634 |
| North Charleston | $32,996 |
| Mount Pleasant | $32,996 |
| Rock Hill | $34,201 |
| Greenville | $33,900 |
| Summerville | $32,851 |
| Goose Creek | $32,948 |
| Sumter | $31,070 |
| Hilton Head Island | $32,270 |
Regional Salary in South Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 860 | $31,260 | $15.03 | $42,980 | $21,740 |
| Columbia, SC | 1,210 | $29,790 | $14.32 | $38,540 | $19,160 |
| Florence, SC | 110 | $30,130 | $14.48 | $45,230 | $18,220 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | 820 | $29,510 | $14.19 | $38,340 | $22,350 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC | 340 | $32,590 | $15.67 | $46,540 | $23,050 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 530 | $28,280 | $13.6 | $37,610 | $19,010 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 250 | $28,950 | $13.92 | $37,710 | $20,050 |
| Sumter, SC | 60 | $26,720 | $12.85 | $37,340 | $21,210 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Dog Grooming Schools in South Carolina
Earn your accredited, affordable Pet and Dog Grooming Certificate online with Penn Foster in as little as 2 months!
School Name
Address
Sunnyside Grooming Salon
10 Reid School Rd, Taylors, SC 29687,
Greenville Technical College
P.O. Box 5616 Greenville, SC 29606
Additional Information
Now that you have your license, you can start searching for a job.
Maybe you need some career resources, and South Carolina has some places you can check out.
One of these is The National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA).
Some other organizations worth looking into include:
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
- South Carolina Humane Society
- South Carolina Dog Training Directory
- National Dog Groomers Association of America
Read the full guide: How to Become a Dog / Pet Groomer
Dog Grooming by State
Please correct me if I’m wrong but there are no requirements for certification in SC, per SC legislation. In addition, I do not believe NDGAA is required for any certification since there are no guidelines. Please clarify.
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