Animal Trainers pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for animal trainers is $19.22 an hour ($39,990 a year). About 18,770 people work in this job there.
Pay range for animal trainers in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $14.23 | $29,600 |
| 25% of workers | $16.22 | $33,740 |
| Half of workers (median) | $19.22 | $39,990 |
| 75% of workers | $25.76 | $53,580 |
| 90% of workers | $36.29 | $75,490 |
Best-paying states for animal trainers
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $62,960 | 720 |
| Alabama | $55,700 | 170 |
| Oregon | $55,520 | 140 |
| California | $49,060 | 2,270 |
| New York | $48,790 | 970 |
| New Jersey | $46,690 | 480 |
| Washington | $46,420 | 360 |
| Illinois | $45,830 | 680 |
| Connecticut | $45,800 | 290 |
| Indiana | $45,270 | 380 |
Pay by state
- California · $49,060
- Florida · $36,870
- Georgia · $45,250
- Illinois · $45,830
- Maryland · $37,430
- Massachusetts · $43,580
- Michigan · $30,820
- New York · $48,790
- North Carolina · $37,680
- Ohio · $32,700
- Texas · $36,370
- Virginia · $62,960
Education, experience and outlook for animal trainers
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +4.2% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 6,500 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.