Animal Trainers pay in Virginia
In Virginia, the median pay for animal trainers is $30.27 an hour ($62,960 a year). About 720 people work in this job there.
That is 57% higher than the U.S. median ($39,990). Virginia ranks 1st of 47 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for animal trainers in Virginia
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $16.96 | $35,270 |
| 25% of workers | $20.15 | $41,910 |
| Half of workers (median) | $30.27 | $62,960 |
| 75% of workers | $51.84 | $107,830 |
| 90% of workers | $58.74 | $122,170 |
Animal Trainers pay in Virginia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $99,190 | 0 |
| Richmond | $46,820 | 110 |
Virginia unemployment rate: 3.6% (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 Virginia
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $40,820 |
| Animal Caretakers | $34,380 |
| Self-Enrichment Teachers | $49,160 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,450 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $52,090 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $38,670 |
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.