GITNUXREPORT 2026

Hr In The Pet Industry Statistics

Rapid pet industry growth requires strategic human resources to manage a large, diverse workforce.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Average hourly wage for pet groomers: $17.50.

Statistic 2

Median salary for vet techs: $38,240 in 2023.

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Pet retail sales associates earn $14.20/hour avg.

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Kennel attendants average $13.80 per hour.

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Pet sitters median pay: $29,570 annually.

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Veterinary assistants earn $34,320 median.

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Pet store managers salary: $45,000 avg.

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Animal trainers hourly wage: $16.45 average.

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Pet food plant workers: $18.50/hour.

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Dog walkers average $15.75 per hour.

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Pet insurance claims processors: $42,000/year.

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Grooming salon owners net $60,000 avg.

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Pet daycare managers: $48,500 median.

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Vet receptionists: $16.20/hour.

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Pet product sales reps: $55,000 base.

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Benefits include 75% health coverage in vet clinics.

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401(k) matching offered to 60% of pet retail staff.

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Paid time off averages 12 days/year for groomers.

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Pet industry bonuses average 5% of salary.

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Tuition reimbursement for 40% of vet techs.

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55% of pet industry workers are female.

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Average age of pet groomers is 38 years old.

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25% of veterinary staff are under 30 years old.

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40% of pet retail employees have college degrees.

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15% of pet industry workforce is Hispanic/Latino.

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Women hold 72% of animal care service positions.

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30% of pet sitters are millennials (born 1981-1996).

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Black/African American workers: 8% in pet care.

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Average tenure for vet techs is 5.2 years.

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62% of pet industry managers are female.

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Gen Z comprises 22% of entry-level pet jobs.

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18% of pet groomers have 10+ years experience.

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Asian workers: 5% in veterinary services.

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45% of pet daycare staff are part-time.

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Average age in pet retail: 35 years.

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28% of pet trainers hold certifications.

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LGBTQ+ representation: 10% in pet industry.

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Rural workers: 35% of pet boarding staff.

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52% of pet food manufacturing workers are male.

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Veterans make up 7% of animal control officers.

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65% of pet industry HR professionals are women.

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The U.S. pet industry employed approximately 523,000 people in 2022.

Statistic 43

Pet industry jobs grew by 12% from 2019 to 2022.

Statistic 44

Over 70,000 jobs in pet grooming and boarding in the U.S. as of 2023.

Statistic 45

Veterinary services sector added 15,000 jobs in 2023.

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Pet retail employment reached 250,000 in North America.

Statistic 47

The pet food manufacturing workforce was 45,000 strong in 2022.

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Total pet care jobs in Europe exceeded 300,000 by 2023.

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U.S. pet industry projected to add 50,000 jobs by 2025.

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Animal care and control workers numbered 15,200 in 2022.

Statistic 51

Pet sitting and dog walking services employed 28,000 in the U.S.

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Kennel and boarding facility staff totaled 22,500 in 2023.

Statistic 53

Pet product distribution employed 60,000 workers globally.

Statistic 54

Veterinary technician jobs grew 20% since 2020.

Statistic 55

Pet insurance sector added 5,000 administrative roles in 2023.

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U.S. pet specialty retail jobs at 180,000 in 2023.

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Global pet industry workforce hit 2 million in 2023.

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Pet training services employed 12,000 in the U.S.

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Animal health product sales staff numbered 35,000.

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Pet daycare facilities had 18,000 employees in 2022.

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U.S. pet industry full-time jobs: 400,000+

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Annual turnover rate in pet grooming: 35%.

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Vet tech turnover: 28% annually.

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Pet retail employee turnover: 42%.

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Kennel staff retention rate: 65% after one year.

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Pet sitter churn rate: 50% yearly.

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Animal care workers average tenure: 2.8 years.

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Pet daycare turnover: 38%.

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Veterinary practice retention: 75% for vets.

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Pet food manufacturing turnover: 22%.

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Dog trainer retention: 70% after two years.

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Pet store manager turnover: 25% annually.

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55% of pet industry leavers cite low pay.

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Burnout causes 40% of vet staff exits.

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Flexible scheduling retains 80% of groomers.

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Pet retail voluntary turnover: 30%.

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Average cost of turnover per pet employee: $5,000.

Statistic 78

68% of pet businesses struggle with retention.

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Tenure for top performers: 4.5 years avg.

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Exit interviews show scheduling issues in 45% cases.

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75% of pet industry offers retention bonuses.

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85% of pet groomers receive annual training hours.

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Vet tech certification programs train 10,000 yearly.

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Pet retail invests $500 avg per employee in training.

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60% of kennel staff complete safety training.

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Online pet care courses reached 50,000 enrollments.

Statistic 87

70% of vet clinics provide CE credits.

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Pet sitter platforms offer 20-hour onboarding.

Statistic 89

Grooming apprenticeships last 1,000 hours.

Statistic 90

Pet food companies train 80% of sales staff quarterly.

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45% of pet daycare uses VR training.

Statistic 92

Diversity training in 55% of pet firms.

Statistic 93

Leadership development for 30% of managers.

Statistic 94

Customer service training mandatory for 90% retail.

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65% report skill gaps filled by training.

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Annual training budget per vet tech: $1,200.

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78% of pet trainers pursue advanced certs.

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E-learning adoption: 82% in pet industry.

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Mentorship programs retain 25% more staff.

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Safety training reduces accidents by 40%.

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92% of pet HR prioritizes upskilling.

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While the global pet industry is booming into a $320 billion powerhouse employing millions, a quiet crisis in HR threatens the passionate people who make it all run, from groomers to veterinarians.

Key Takeaways

The U.S. pet industry employed approximately 523,000 people in 2022.
Pet industry jobs grew by 12% from 2019 to 2022.
Over 70,000 jobs in pet grooming and boarding in the U.S. as of 2023.
55% of pet industry workers are female.
Average age of pet groomers is 38 years old.
25% of veterinary staff are under 30 years old.
Average hourly wage for pet groomers: $17.50.
Median salary for vet techs: $38,240 in 2023.
Pet retail sales associates earn $14.20/hour avg.
Annual turnover rate in pet grooming: 35%.
Vet tech turnover: 28% annually.
Pet retail employee turnover: 42%.
85% of pet groomers receive annual training hours.
Vet tech certification programs train 10,000 yearly.
Pet retail invests $500 avg per employee in training.

Rapid pet industry growth requires strategic human resources to manage a large, diverse workforce.

Compensation Metrics

Average hourly wage for pet groomers: $17.50.
Median salary for vet techs: $38,240 in 2023.
Pet retail sales associates earn $14.20/hour avg.
Kennel attendants average $13.80 per hour.
Pet sitters median pay: $29,570 annually.
Veterinary assistants earn $34,320 median.
Pet store managers salary: $45,000 avg.
Animal trainers hourly wage: $16.45 average.
Pet food plant workers: $18.50/hour.
Dog walkers average $15.75 per hour.
Pet insurance claims processors: $42,000/year.
Grooming salon owners net $60,000 avg.
Pet daycare managers: $48,500 median.
Vet receptionists: $16.20/hour.
Pet product sales reps: $55,000 base.
Benefits include 75% health coverage in vet clinics.
401(k) matching offered to 60% of pet retail staff.
Paid time off averages 12 days/year for groomers.
Pet industry bonuses average 5% of salary.
Tuition reimbursement for 40% of vet techs.

Compensation Metrics Interpretation

The pet industry's pay structure paints a picture of a labor of love, where the true rewards often come from working with animals themselves, while human compensation and benefits are increasingly seen as a necessary—and often lacking—ingredient for a sustainable career.

Demographic Data

55% of pet industry workers are female.
Average age of pet groomers is 38 years old.
25% of veterinary staff are under 30 years old.
40% of pet retail employees have college degrees.
15% of pet industry workforce is Hispanic/Latino.
Women hold 72% of animal care service positions.
30% of pet sitters are millennials (born 1981-1996).
Black/African American workers: 8% in pet care.
Average tenure for vet techs is 5.2 years.
62% of pet industry managers are female.
Gen Z comprises 22% of entry-level pet jobs.
18% of pet groomers have 10+ years experience.
Asian workers: 5% in veterinary services.
45% of pet daycare staff are part-time.
Average age in pet retail: 35 years.
28% of pet trainers hold certifications.
LGBTQ+ representation: 10% in pet industry.
Rural workers: 35% of pet boarding staff.
52% of pet food manufacturing workers are male.
Veterans make up 7% of animal control officers.
65% of pet industry HR professionals are women.

Demographic Data Interpretation

While the pet industry is predominantly led and staffed by dedicated women across its many fields, the statistics reveal a dynamic and multigenerational workforce where youthful enthusiasm and seasoned experience are both grooming the future of animal care.

Employment Statistics

The U.S. pet industry employed approximately 523,000 people in 2022.
Pet industry jobs grew by 12% from 2019 to 2022.
Over 70,000 jobs in pet grooming and boarding in the U.S. as of 2023.
Veterinary services sector added 15,000 jobs in 2023.
Pet retail employment reached 250,000 in North America.
The pet food manufacturing workforce was 45,000 strong in 2022.
Total pet care jobs in Europe exceeded 300,000 by 2023.
U.S. pet industry projected to add 50,000 jobs by 2025.
Animal care and control workers numbered 15,200 in 2022.
Pet sitting and dog walking services employed 28,000 in the U.S.
Kennel and boarding facility staff totaled 22,500 in 2023.
Pet product distribution employed 60,000 workers globally.
Veterinary technician jobs grew 20% since 2020.
Pet insurance sector added 5,000 administrative roles in 2023.
U.S. pet specialty retail jobs at 180,000 in 2023.
Global pet industry workforce hit 2 million in 2023.
Pet training services employed 12,000 in the U.S.
Animal health product sales staff numbered 35,000.
Pet daycare facilities had 18,000 employees in 2022.
U.S. pet industry full-time jobs: 400,000+

Employment Statistics Interpretation

While the global pet industry's two-million-strong workforce proves our obsession is no fluff piece, the rapid 20% growth in skilled roles like veterinary technicians reveals we're seriously investing in the health of our furry overlords and the economy they command.

Retention Rates

Annual turnover rate in pet grooming: 35%.
Vet tech turnover: 28% annually.
Pet retail employee turnover: 42%.
Kennel staff retention rate: 65% after one year.
Pet sitter churn rate: 50% yearly.
Animal care workers average tenure: 2.8 years.
Pet daycare turnover: 38%.
Veterinary practice retention: 75% for vets.
Pet food manufacturing turnover: 22%.
Dog trainer retention: 70% after two years.
Pet store manager turnover: 25% annually.
55% of pet industry leavers cite low pay.
Burnout causes 40% of vet staff exits.
Flexible scheduling retains 80% of groomers.
Pet retail voluntary turnover: 30%.
Average cost of turnover per pet employee: $5,000.
68% of pet businesses struggle with retention.
Tenure for top performers: 4.5 years avg.
Exit interviews show scheduling issues in 45% cases.
75% of pet industry offers retention bonuses.

Retention Rates Interpretation

The pet industry’s workers are fleeing in droves, driven by low pay and burnout, proving that while we spoil our pets rotten, we often treat the people who care for them like, well, dogs.

Training Initiatives

85% of pet groomers receive annual training hours.
Vet tech certification programs train 10,000 yearly.
Pet retail invests $500 avg per employee in training.
60% of kennel staff complete safety training.
Online pet care courses reached 50,000 enrollments.
70% of vet clinics provide CE credits.
Pet sitter platforms offer 20-hour onboarding.
Grooming apprenticeships last 1,000 hours.
Pet food companies train 80% of sales staff quarterly.
45% of pet daycare uses VR training.
Diversity training in 55% of pet firms.
Leadership development for 30% of managers.
Customer service training mandatory for 90% retail.
65% report skill gaps filled by training.
Annual training budget per vet tech: $1,200.
78% of pet trainers pursue advanced certs.
E-learning adoption: 82% in pet industry.
Mentorship programs retain 25% more staff.
Safety training reduces accidents by 40%.
92% of pet HR prioritizes upskilling.

Training Initiatives Interpretation

The pet industry is rigorously training everyone from the groomer's apprentice to the vet clinic manager, proving that while our pets may be spoiled, the workforce dedicated to them is being thoroughly sharpened, not just fed treats.