How much does a animal trainer make?
The median animal trainer in the United States earns $39,990 per year, about $19.22 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all animal trainers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 39-2011.
Animal trainer salary range
Pay for animal trainers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $29,600 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $75,490. The average (mean) wage of $47,020 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,600 | $14.23 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $33,740 | $16.22 | |
| Median (50th) | $39,990 | $19.22 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $53,580 | $25.76 | |
| 90th percentile | $75,490 | $36.29 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for animal trainers (SOC 39-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Animal trainer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Animal trainers earn the most in Virginia at $62,960 a year, and the least in South Carolina at $29,670. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Georgia | $45,250 | 800 |
| Montana | $44,680 | 80 |
| Colorado | $44,290 | 330 |
| Massachusetts | $43,580 | 510 |
| Iowa | $43,020 | 180 |
| Minnesota | $41,690 | 300 |
| Idaho | $40,770 | 180 |
| Maine | $40,760 | 110 |
| Oklahoma | $40,310 | 250 |
| Arkansas | $39,400 | 110 |
| North Dakota | $38,970 | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,920 | 460 |
| Utah | $38,580 | 260 |
| District of Columbia | $38,200 | N/A |
| South Dakota | $38,120 | 30 |
| New Hampshire | $38,030 | 140 |
| North Carolina | $37,680 | 640 |
| Maryland | $37,430 | 890 |
| Wisconsin | $37,140 | 480 |
| West Virginia | $37,080 | 100 |
| Florida | $36,870 | 1,090 |
| Nevada | $36,760 | 170 |
| Texas | $36,370 | 1,080 |
| Tennessee | $35,320 | 310 |
| Mississippi | $35,130 | 40 |
| Alaska | $34,900 | 50 |
| Nebraska | $34,900 | 60 |
| New Mexico | $34,760 | 60 |
| Kansas | $34,720 | 250 |
| Kentucky | $34,030 | 470 |
| Missouri | $34,010 | 250 |
| Delaware | $33,810 | 90 |
| Arizona | $33,330 | N/A |
| Louisiana | $32,720 | N/A |
| Ohio | $32,700 | 730 |
| Michigan | $30,820 | 800 |
| South Carolina | $29,670 | 200 |
State median wages for animal trainers (SOC 39-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for animal trainers
The BLS projects employment of animal trainers to grow 4.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 47,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 49,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 6,500 openings a year for animal trainers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an animal trainer
The typical entry-level education for animal trainers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an animal trainer earns
Employer, clientele, region, and in many cases tips shape pay. Established professionals in affluent, high cost areas earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Virginia, $62,960) and the lowest (South Carolina, $29,670) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 18,770 people work as animal trainers in the United States. At $39,990 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Animal trainer salary FAQ
How much does an animal trainer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an animal trainer is $19.22. The middle half of animal trainers earn between $16.22 and $25.76 per hour.
What is the highest animal trainer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of animal trainers earn more than $75,490 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an animal trainer make a year?
The median annual salary for an animal trainer is $39,990. The average (mean) wage of $47,020 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an animal trainer a well paid job?
At $39,990 a year, an animal trainer earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 18,770 people work as animal trainers in the United States.
Which state pays animal trainers the most?
Virginia has the highest median salary for animal trainers at $62,960 a year. Alabama ($55,700) and Oregon ($55,520) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an animal trainer a good career?
Employment of animal trainers is projected to grow 4.2% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 6,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an animal trainer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for animal trainers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Personal Care & Service salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.