Animal Trainers pay in Illinois
In Illinois, the median pay for animal trainers is $22.03 an hour ($45,830 a year). About 680 people work in this job there.
That is 15% higher than the U.S. median ($39,990). Illinois ranks 8th of 47 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for animal trainers in Illinois
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.18 | $31,570 |
| 25% of workers | $16.68 | $34,700 |
| Half of workers (median) | $22.03 | $45,830 |
| 75% of workers | $28.76 | $59,810 |
| 90% of workers | $35.00 | $72,810 |
Animal Trainers pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $46,890 | 580 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (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 Illinois
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $46,800 |
| Self-Enrichment Teachers | $44,230 |
| Animal Caretakers | $35,570 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $46,440 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,480 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $49,070 |
Other job titles for this job
Open animal trainers jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring animal trainers? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
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.