Animal Trainers pay in California
In California, the median pay for animal trainers is $23.59 an hour ($49,060 a year). About 2,270 people work in this job there.
That is 23% higher than the U.S. median ($39,990). California ranks 4th of 47 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for animal trainers in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.94 | $37,300 |
| 25% of workers | $19.10 | $39,730 |
| Half of workers (median) | $23.59 | $49,060 |
| 75% of workers | $30.90 | $64,280 |
| 90% of workers | $37.87 | $78,770 |
Animal Trainers pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $64,430 | 0 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $61,490 | 300 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $58,160 | 60 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $54,810 | 80 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $51,230 | 830 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $50,420 | 70 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $49,150 | 230 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $44,170 | 110 |
| Fresno | $43,620 | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $43,070 | 200 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $41,770 | 40 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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 California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Self-Enrichment Teachers | $49,570 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $57,990 |
| Animal Caretakers | $38,700 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $46,260 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $60,630 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $38,640 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $44,530 |
| Animal Control Workers | $62,630 |
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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.