Pets at Home Jobs: Salaries, Careers & Animal Care Pay in 2025

If you’ve ever wandered through a Pets at Home store and thought “I could do this” you’re not alone — the UK’s leading pet retailer runs over 450 stores and employs thousands, making it a go‑to starting point for animal lovers looking for paid work. This guide breaks down the numbers, the application process, and the real cost of living behind the wage.

Average store colleague wage (UK): £9.50–£11 per hour (2025) ·
Income considered ‘good’ in Ireland (single person): €35,000 per year ·
Pets at Home UK stores: over 450 ·
Hourly rate for €50k annual salary (40-hr week): €24.04

Six key facts summarise the landscape for anyone comparing Pets at Home roles with other animal-care jobs:

What is the highest paying job working with animals?

Veterinary surgeon salary in Ireland

In Ireland, veterinary surgeons earn between €70,000 and €100,000 per year, according to CareersPortal.ie. That makes it the highest paying animal-care role in the country.

Animal charity director roles

Directors of large animal charities can earn €50,000–€70,000, though public salary data is limited. Back to Work Connect notes that leadership roles in animal welfare require significant management experience.

Pet retail management careers

Pets at Home store managers in the UK can earn above €45,000 (including benefits) when converted to Irish equivalents. Glassdoor Ireland lists store manager salaries in the £30k–£40k range, plus bonus and share options.

Bottom line: Veterinary surgery is the clear winner for pay, but it requires years of study. For those without a degree, pet retail management offers a solid career path with lower entry barriers.

How much do pet shop jobs pay near me?

Entry-level pet store assistant wage

Pets at Home store colleagues typically start at £9.50–£11 per hour in the UK, based on multiple job listings reviewed by Indeed United Kingdom. Part-time and full-time positions are available, with weekend and holiday shifts often required.

Dog groomer hourly rate at Pets at Home

Dog grooming stylists at Pets at Home earn between £11 and £14 per hour, plus tips and retail commission. The company requires an NVQ Level 2 in Dog Grooming or equivalent, as stated on the official careers portal.

Pet delivery driver earnings

Delivery driver roles for Pets at Home range from £12 to £15 per hour, according to job postings on Indeed United Kingdom. A full UK driving licence is required, and routes are typically multi-drop.

Bottom line: Pet shop jobs near you likely pay between £9.50 and £15 per hour depending on the role. Dog grooming and delivery driving offer the highest hourly rates without a degree.

Is €35,000 a good salary in Ireland?

Cost of living in Dublin vs rural Ireland in 2025

Dublin’s average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is now about €2,000, according to CareersPortal.ie. Outside Dublin, comparable rents fall to €1,200–€1,500.

Breakdown of monthly expenses on €35,000

After income tax, PRSI, and USC, a single person earning €35,000 takes home roughly €2,400 per month (calculated using Back to Work Connect guidelines). With rent at €2,000, only €400 remains for all other living costs.

How salary expectations compare to animal-care roles

A Pets at Home store colleague earning £10.50 per hour (≈€12.20) working 40 hours weekly would gross about €25,400 per year – well below €35,000. In contrast, a veterinary surgeon on €80,000 has far more breathing room, even in Dublin.

Bottom line: €35,000 is a moderate salary for a single person outside Dublin, but inside the capital it is stretched thin. Job seekers should factor location into their salary expectations.

What jobs pay 20 euros an hour in Ireland?

Animal-care roles that pay €20+/hour

Experienced veterinary nurses and pet store managers can earn €20 per hour or more. CareersPortal.ie lists veterinary nurse salaries from €30k–€45k, which works out to €15–€22 per hour for a 40-hour week.

Retail and customer service positions at €20/hour

Outside animal care, HGV drivers, electricians, and call centre team leads frequently hit €20/hour. Back to Work Connect notes that these roles often require specific qualifications or several years’ experience.

Trade and technician jobs in Ireland

Electricians and plumbers in Ireland can earn €25–€30 per hour, according to industry data cited by Glassdoor Ireland. For job seekers willing to train, these trades offer faster paths to €20/hour than most animal-care roles.

Bottom line: Reaching €20/hour in Ireland is doable, but in animal care you’ll likely need a management role or a veterinary nursing qualification. Trades offer a faster route.

How do I apply for a Pets at Home job step by step?

Creating an account on petsathomejobs.com

Visit Pets at Home Jobs and register an account. You’ll need an email address and basic personal details.

Submitting an application for store colleague

Select a vacancy and fill out the application form. No prior experience is required for store colleague roles, as confirmed by Indeed United Kingdom. For grooming roles, you’ll need to upload evidence of NVQ Level 2 in Dog Grooming.

Interview tips for retail and grooming roles

Interviews typically include a role-play scenario about pet care, according to Breakroom. Prepare to discuss animal handling and customer service. The whole process – from application to offer – usually takes two to three weeks.

Bottom line: Apply only through petsathomejobs.com. Store colleague roles are entry-level; groomers need a qualification. Prepare for a pet-care role-play in the interview.

What are the highest paying jobs in the world in 2026?

Anesthesiologists and surgeons

Anesthesiologists in the US earn over $400,000 per year, making them the highest-paid professionals globally, as reported by Glassdoor Ireland which tracks international salary data.

Top CEOs in global corporations

Pets at Home’s CEO was paid £1.2 million in 2024, according to the Pets at Home PLC Careers page. This puts corporate leadership far above animal-care salaries, but those roles are rare and require decades of experience.

Pet industry entrepreneurs

Founders of pet-care startups and large retail chains can earn millions, but the median pay for pet retail managers remains in the €30k–€50k range. Back to Work Connect notes that entrepreneurship in animal care is growing, but most roles are salaried.

Bottom line: Global top earners are in medicine and corporate leadership; the pet industry offers stable median pay but requires specialised skills or management to reach high incomes.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

1. Step 1: Go to Pets at Home Jobs (official careers portal) and create an account.
2. Step 2: Search for roles by keyword or location. Filter by full-time or part-time.
3. Step 3: Submit your application with a CV and cover letter. No prior experience needed for store assistant roles.
4. Step 4: If shortlisted, attend an interview that may include a role-play exercise about pet care.
5. Step 5: Complete background checks and onboarding. Typical offer within 1-2 weeks.

Bottom line: Follow the official portal; preparation for a pet-care role-play gives you an edge. The process is straightforward and usually completed within two weeks.

“Search and view the latest retail and Groom Room jobs UK wide.”
— Pets at Home Careers page, Pets at Home PLC Careers (corporate careers portal)

“Pets at Home store colleague average wage £10.50 per hour.”
— Indeed salary data, Indeed United Kingdom (job listings aggregator)

For Irish job seekers, the pay difference between pet retail in the UK and animal-care roles at home can be stark. A store colleague earning £10.50 (≈€12.20) per hour would gross about €25,400 annually – well short of the €35,000 that barely covers Dublin rent. The implication: if you’re serious about working with animals and want a comfortable life in Ireland, you’ll need to aim for veterinary nursing, management, or trade qualifications. For those willing to work in the UK, Pets at Home provides a straightforward entry point with room to grow.

Frequently asked questions