Experienced dog and cat groomer wanted for a calmer, more independent grooming role.
Bark & Mane is hiring an experienced groomer to join our growing mobile grooming team. Professional cat grooming experience is required for this position, along with the ability to independently provide full-service dog grooming.
We provide premium, one-on-one grooming at the customer’s home, with a focus on making the experience easier and less stressful for pets and their families. You’ll work out of a fully equipped Mercedes-Benz mobile grooming van, supported by an office team that handles scheduling, routing, and client communication.
This position will begin part-time at approximately 16–30 hours per week. As appointment demand grows and we expand our fleet, the position is expected to transition to full-time within approximately four to five months.
This role is a good fit for someone who takes pride in quality work, communicates well with clients, is confident handling both cats and dogs, and wants more independence than a traditional grooming salon typically provides.
Compensation
This is a non-exempt hourly position with commission-based earning potential and tips.
- Hourly pay starting at $22/hour
- Overtime paid as required by California law
- Estimated full-route earnings of approximately $300+ per day before tips
- Tips are additional
- Referral and performance bonus opportunities may also be available
Our mobile grooming model serves clients who value convenience, quality, and one-on-one care at home. Because appointment prices are higher than those at many traditional salons, experienced groomers can earn strong daily pay while grooming fewer pets in a quieter, more focused environment.
A full route of approximately six appointments can generate around $310/day before tips, with tips adding additional earning potential. During ramp-up or lighter schedule days, groomers are protected by a guaranteed hourly base of $22/hour.
Schedule and Growth
This position will begin with approximately 16–30 hours per week, based on appointment demand, route needs, and availability.
Our goal is for this role to grow into a full-time position within approximately four to five months as the client schedule expands and an additional grooming van is added. The timing of the transition will depend on business growth, appointment demand, and applicable California wage-and-hour requirements.
When business needs and California wage-and-hour rules allow, our longer-term goal is to offer full-time groomers a four-day workweek. Overtime is paid as required by California law.
Why Work with Bark & Mane?
A calmer workday
Work one-on-one with pets in a quiet, cage-free mobile setting. There is no crowded salon floor, no stacked kennels, and no constant pressure to rush through as many pets as possible.
The private mobile environment can be especially beneficial for cats, senior pets, anxious pets, and pets that struggle in a busy salon.
A meaningful cat grooming opportunity
Cat grooming is an important part of this position—not an occasional add-on. You’ll help us expand access to professional mobile cat grooming throughout the West Placer area.
The position will include a combination of dog and cat appointments based on client demand and your qualifications.
Quality-focused grooming
We want groomers to work efficiently, but never at the expense of safety, comfort, or the quality of the groom.
Independence
You’ll work independently throughout the day, with support from the office for scheduling, routing, and client communication.
Strong earning potential
Our clients are looking for premium mobile grooming—not bargain-basement grooming. This creates strong earning potential while allowing you to focus on fewer pets and provide more individualized care.
Fully equipped mobile grooming van provided
We provide a Mercedes-Benz mobile grooming van with air conditioning, heating, water, electricity, a hydrobath, and a professional grooming setup.
Fuel and business supplies covered
Fuel, van maintenance, and standard business grooming supplies are covered. Groomers may also use their own preferred personal tools.
Safety matters
You have the ability to decline pets that cannot be groomed safely. Groomer safety and pet well-being both matter here.
Supportive owner and team culture
Bark & Mane is a growing local business, and we want to build our team the right way—with clear communication, high standards, accountability, and respect for the people doing the work.
Responsibilities
As a Bark & Mane mobile groomer, you will:
- Provide safe, high-quality grooming services for both dogs and cats
- Independently complete cat bath and brush services, de-shedding treatments, sanitary trims, nail trims, mat removal, and full cat haircuts when appropriate
- Independently complete full-service dog grooming appointments
- Evaluate each pet’s coat condition, behavior, and grooming needs
- Use safe, low-stress handling techniques appropriate for cats and dogs
- Recognize when a service cannot be completed safely and communicate concerns appropriately
- Safely operate a mobile grooming van
- Communicate clearly, warmly, and professionally with clients
- Keep the van clean, safe, sanitized, and organized
- Follow proper animal handling, sanitation, and safety procedures
- Maintain accurate service notes and communicate relevant information to the office
- Help create a dependable, professional experience for pets and their families
- Represent Bark & Mane with kindness, reliability, and good judgment
Required Qualifications
We are looking for an experienced groomer who has:
- Professional cat grooming experience
- Professional dog grooming experience
- Confidence handling and grooming cats independently
- Ability to assess feline behavior and recognize signs of stress or unsafe handling conditions
- Ability to complete full dog grooms independently
- Strong bathing, drying, brushing, clipping, de-matting, and finishing skills
- Good scissoring and styling skills
- Excellent animal handling and safety awareness
- Strong customer service and communication skills
- A valid driver’s license and clean driving record
- Reliability, professionalism, and good judgment
- Comfort working independently throughout the day
- Ability to safely perform the physical duties associated with professional grooming and mobile van operation
Preferred Qualifications
The following experience is helpful but not required:
- Mobile grooming experience
- Advanced cat grooming education or certification
- Experience grooming anxious, senior, or special-care pets
- AKC S.A.F.E. Grooming certification
- Other professional grooming education or certifications
If you do not already have AKC S.A.F.E. certification, Bark & Mane will provide the training during onboarding.
No degree is required. We care most about your grooming ability, cat-handling experience, reliability, judgment, communication, and how you treat pets and clients.
About Bark & Mane
Bark & Mane is a locally owned mobile pet grooming business serving Rocklin, Lincoln, Roseville, Loomis, and the surrounding West Placer area. We are a new local business backed by the systems and experience of an established national mobile grooming franchise. As we grow, we want to become known for excellent groomers, dependable service, safe and compassionate cat grooming, and long-term relationships with pets and their families.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Bark & Mane is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Applicants who need accommodation during the application or interview process should contact management.
Apply Today
If you’re an experienced dog and cat groomer looking for more independence, strong earning potential, and a calmer alternative to the traditional salon environment, we’d love to hear from you.
Please apply with a resume or summary of your grooming experience. Be sure to include details about your professional cat grooming background, including the types of feline grooming services you are comfortable performing.
Apply today to join Bark & Mane as an Experienced Mobile Dog & Cat Groomer.
