SOC 392011

Animal Trainers

Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or for assisting persons with disabilities. Accustom animals to human voice and contact, and condition animals to respond to commands. Train animals according to prescribed standards for show or competition. May train animals to carry pack loads or work as part of pack team.

National Median

$38,750

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$38,750

Entry Level (10th pct)

$29,120

Experienced (90th pct)

$70,800

Total Employed

20,110

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$29,120 - $32,870
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$32,870 - $48,900
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$48,900 - $70,800

Highest Paying Locations for Animal Trainers

Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

$94,390

+143.6% vs national

Urban Honolulu, HI

$72,080

+86.0% vs national

Hawaii

$72,080

+86.0% vs national

Colorado Springs, CO

$64,590

+66.7% vs national

Birmingham, AL

$63,330

+63.4% vs national

Animal Trainers Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	$94,390	110
Urban Honolulu, HI	$72,080	80
Hawaii	$72,080	90
Colorado Springs, CO	$64,590	30
Birmingham, AL	$63,330	40
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$60,390	50
Madison, WI	$59,900	60
Alabama	$58,480	220
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$53,340	400
Raleigh-Cary, NC	$49,170	190
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$48,710	620
Oregon	$48,690	230
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$48,480	790
Auburn-Opelika, AL	$48,430	30
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$47,600	80
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$47,120	60
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$46,790	280
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$46,780	40
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$46,780	N/A
California	$46,780	2,470
Rochester, NY	$46,580	60
Charleston, WV	$46,520	40
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$46,430	160
Maryland	$46,390	600
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	$46,370	170
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$45,930	150
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$45,840	70
New York	$45,470	1,320
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$45,470	1,230
Lancaster, PA	$45,300	70
Iowa	$45,180	120
Columbia, SC	$44,770	30
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	$44,730	N/A
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$44,600	60
Boulder, CO	$44,350	40
Colorado	$43,670	280
Connecticut	$43,240	380
Waterbury-Shelton, CT	$43,180	30
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$42,910	120
Washington	$42,810	570
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$42,790	130
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	$42,730	40
Montana	$42,730	60
Arkansas	$42,460	200
Ocala, FL	$42,390	90
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$42,220	290
Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area	$42,060	30
New Jersey	$42,010	340
Pittsburgh, PA	$41,850	100
Richmond, VA	$41,850	100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Animal Trainers?

The national median annual salary for Animal Trainers is $38,750, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Animal Trainerss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Animal Trainerss is Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC, with a median salary of $94,390.

How much can an experienced Animal Trainers make?

Top-earning Animal Trainerss (90th percentile) make $70,800 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.