Dog grooming schools in Illinois
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Illinois
- The Academy of Pet Careers
- Doggonerite Dog Grooming & Academy
- Midwest School of Pet Grooming
Want to become a dog groomer in
Illinois
?
Quick answer: we verified 3 dog grooming schools in Illinois on their own websites: Doggonerite Dog Grooming & Academy, The Academy of Pet Careers, Midwest School of Pet Grooming. You can also train in a paid pet store academy or take an online course with a local mentor. Here they are side by side.
Compare options How to choose Shops to ask FAQ
Ways to learn grooming in Illinois
Doggonerite Dog Grooming & Academy
Chicago, IL
Cost: $6,000
Length: 500 hours
Address: 3537 W Columbus Ave, Chicago, IL 60652
The Academy of Pet Careers
St. Charles, IL
Cost: Grooming programs range from $5,000 to $22,000
Format: In-person and online programs
Midwest School of Pet Grooming
Long Grove, IL
Cost: not posted, ask the school
Format: Individual hands-on training, small classes
Credential: Approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (Private Business and Vocational Schools Division)
PetSmart Grooming Academy
In Illinois: PetSmart salons
Cost: paid program
Length: 4 weeks, 160 hours, after you bathe 125+ dogs as a bather
Format: in the salon
Petco pet stylist training
In Illinois: Petco grooming salons
Cost: paid program
Length: 20-week certification program
Format: in the salon with a mentor
Animal Behavior College
Online, with a mentor groomer near you
Cost: $3,499 paid in full
Length: 6 to 12 months, 150+ hands-on hours
Format: online lessons, then an externship at a local salon
Penn Foster Pet Grooming Certificate
Online only
Cost: $799
Length: 2 months fast track, about 5 months average
Format: self-paced online. You still need hands-on practice.
Schools in nearby states: Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, Kentucky.
Costs and lengths are from each program's own page, checked Oct 25 to Nov 4, 2026. Blank means the program does not publish it. Always confirm with the program before you sign up.
How to choose
- Want to earn while you learn? Look at PetSmart or Petco. Both describe their academy as paid training in the salon.
- Need to keep your job? An online course works, but plan for 150+ hours of hands-on practice with a real groomer.
- Want a full in-person course? Compare the Illinois schools above. Ask about total cost, tools and how many dogs you groom.
- Ask every program: how many dogs will I groom, is a tool kit included, and do you help with job placement?
- Try it first: ask a local shop below if you can work as a bather for a few weeks.
Illinois shops to ask about bather jobs or an apprenticeship
These shops were named a Top Grooming Business by The Daily Groomer. We have not confirmed which ones are hiring.
- Abby's Dog Grooming, Sycamore
- Blooms Grooms, Chicago
- Doggie Divine Pet Salon, St. Charles
- Duke Dog Care, Darien
- Munchkins Pet Services, Champaign
- Pooch Parlor, LLC, Homewood
License and pay in Illinois, in short
- License: We have not yet confirmed whether Illinois requires a license for groomers or grooming businesses, so we do not say either way. Before you groom for pay or open a salon, check with the Illinois agriculture department and with your city or county about business licenses and zoning.
- Pay: animal caretakers in Illinois, the federal group that includes groomers, had a median pay of $35,570 a year (BLS, May 2025). This does not count self-employed groomers.
FAQ
Are there dog grooming schools in Illinois?
Yes. We verified 3 on their own websites: Doggonerite Dog Grooming & Academy, The Academy of Pet Careers, Midwest School of Pet Grooming. You can also train in a pet store academy (PetSmart, Petco) or online with a local mentor.
How much does dog grooming school cost in Illinois?
Posted prices as of Oct 2026: Doggonerite Dog Grooming & Academy: $6,000; The Academy of Pet Careers: Grooming programs range from $5,000 to $22,000. Online courses list $799 (Penn Foster) to $3,499 (Animal Behavior College). PetSmart and Petco describe their academies as paid training. Ask any school for the full cost.
How long does it take to become a dog groomer?
As of Oct 2026: Doggonerite Dog Grooming & Academy: 500 hours. Online courses take about 2 months fast track up to 6 to 12 months with hands-on hours. PetSmart's academy is 4 weeks after time as a bather. Petco's program is 20 weeks.
What do groomers earn in Illinois?
Animal caretakers in Illinois, the federal group that includes groomers, had a median pay of $35,570 a year (BLS, May 2025). Self-employed groomers are not counted.
Top grooming schools near you:
The Academy of Pet Careers
St. Charles
Provides a variety of pet care programs, including grooming. The academy emphasizes hands-on learning and offers job placement assistance. Financial aid options are available, and the program includes a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Doggonerite Dog Grooming & Academy
Chicago
Offers personalized grooming training with a focus on providing a safe and hygienic environment for pets. The school also offers boarding services and other pet care solutions, emphasizing the well-being of the pets and transparent communication with pet owners.
Midwest School of Pet Grooming
Long Grove
Offers a hands-on training program with small class sizes. Students spend most of their time learning practical grooming skills and are required to complete 500 hours of training. The program costs $7,000, and students need to purchase their own grooming tools.
Next steps:
For more information about getting started in grooming, make sure you check out the full Get Started in Grooming guide. And if you want to reach out to any of the top grooming businesses in the state to get a job or see if they offer an apprenticeship, make sure you check out The Top Illinois Grooming Businesses.
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