Animal Trainer Salary
Animal Trainers earn a median $39,990 a year nationally. Personal Care and Service Occupations
What animal trainers do
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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.2% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 6,500
- Self-employed
- 39%
Employment of animal trainers is projected to grow 4.2% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 6,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Animal Trainer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,619
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,479
- Medicare (1.45%)$580
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$34,312
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,600 | $14.23 | $25,964 |
| 25th percentile | $33,740 | $16.22 | $29,290 |
| Median (50th) | $39,990 | $19.23 | $34,312 |
| 75th percentile | $53,580 | $25.76 | $45,232 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,490 | $36.29 | $61,937 |
Animal Trainer salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $62,960 | — | $49,962 | $35,270 – $122,170 | 720 |
| Alabama | $55,700 | −4.8% | $44,415 | $33,950 – $70,520 | 170 |
| Oregon | $55,520 | +14.0% | $42,762 | $36,310 – $86,120 | 140 |
| California | $49,060 | +4.9% | $39,969 | $37,300 – $78,770 | 2,270 |
| New York | $48,790 | +7.3% | $39,345 | $35,400 – $71,510 | 970 |
| New Jersey | $46,690 | +11.1% | $38,664 | $35,860 – $103,370 | 480 |
| Washington | $46,420 | +8.4% | $39,478 | $37,490 – $58,780 | 360 |
| Illinois | $45,830 | +32.6% | $36,881 | $31,570 – $72,810 | 680 |
| Connecticut | $45,800 | +5.9% | $37,844 | $36,530 – $68,580 | 290 |
| Indiana | $45,270 | +17.5% | $37,248 | $32,100 – $86,840 | 380 |
| Georgia | $45,250 | +18.7% | $36,813 | $29,880 – $79,620 | 800 |
| Montana | $44,680 | +4.6% | $36,737 | $33,060 – $57,860 | 80 |
| Colorado | $44,290 | +1.4% | $36,527 | $36,420 – $67,330 | 330 |
| Massachusetts | $43,580 | — | $35,238 | $33,670 – $82,810 | 510 |
| Iowa | $43,020 | −4.8% | $35,764 | $31,070 – $83,860 | 180 |
| Minnesota | $41,690 | +17.3% | $34,266 | $34,190 – $62,820 | 300 |
| Idaho | $40,770 | +12.1% | $33,886 | $30,530 – $44,200 | 180 |
| Maine | $40,760 | +7.3% | $33,358 | $37,080 – $48,230 | 110 |
| Oklahoma | $40,310 | +21.7% | $33,301 | $28,360 – $79,990 | 250 |
| Arkansas | $39,400 | −7.2% | $32,514 | $31,280 – $59,260 | 110 |
| North Dakota | $38,970 | +4.1% | $33,492 | $30,060 – $42,040 | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,920 | −6.4% | $32,257 | $31,410 – $58,670 | 460 |
| Utah | $38,580 | +9.0% | $32,409 | $24,580 – $49,870 | 260 |
| District of Columbia | $38,200 | +4.5% | $31,748 | $38,200 – $66,440 | — |
| South Dakota | $38,120 | −3.2% | $32,809 | $30,530 – $44,780 | 30 |
| New Hampshire | $38,030 | +4.4% | $32,737 | $21,430 – $57,840 | 140 |
| North Carolina | $37,680 | −7.8% | $31,461 | $24,680 – $84,750 | 640 |
| Maryland | $37,430 | −19.3% | $30,841 | $31,270 – $73,530 | 890 |
| Wisconsin | $37,140 | −8.0% | $31,169 | $29,420 – $62,810 | 480 |
| West Virginia | $37,080 | −2.3% | $30,972 | $29,510 – $76,750 | 100 |
| Florida | $36,870 | +1.9% | $31,805 | $30,350 – $61,860 | 1,090 |
| Nevada | $36,760 | +1.9% | $31,717 | $26,780 – $48,880 | 170 |
| Texas | $36,370 | +9.3% | $31,403 | $25,970 – $57,490 | 1,080 |
| Tennessee | $35,320 | −5.2% | $30,560 | $27,650 – $56,450 | 310 |
| Mississippi | $35,130 | −0.3% | $29,734 | $31,290 – $77,990 | 40 |
| Alaska | $34,900 | +3.9% | $30,222 | $34,900 – $43,870 | 50 |
| Nebraska | $34,900 | +1.2% | $29,514 | $33,220 – $49,070 | 60 |
| New Mexico | $34,760 | +10.3% | $29,582 | $29,710 – $41,350 | 60 |
| Kansas | $34,720 | −1.8% | $28,936 | $28,600 – $52,240 | 250 |
| Kentucky | $34,030 | +15.3% | $28,450 | $23,460 – $60,000 | 470 |
| Missouri | $34,010 | +10.8% | $28,846 | $30,390 – $53,580 | 250 |
| Delaware | $33,810 | −2.0% | $28,147 | $31,200 – $45,670 | 90 |
| Arizona | $33,330 | +3.4% | $28,336 | $31,250 – $41,620 | — |
| Louisiana | $32,720 | +3.8% | $27,875 | $20,840 – $44,160 | — |
| Ohio | $32,700 | −0.8% | $28,338 | $27,640 – $65,330 | 730 |
| Michigan | $30,820 | −9.6% | $25,885 | $27,370 – $43,360 | 800 |
| South Carolina | $29,670 | −6.2% | $25,397 | $27,040 – $43,280 | 200 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $35,360 | High school diploma or equivalent | +12.1% |
| Concierge | $38,950 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.6% |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $41,600 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.9% |
| Motion Picture Projectionist | $38,270 | No formal educational credential | -6.2% |
| Barber | $38,210 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.3% |
| Tour and Travel Guide | $38,120 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.3% |
| Residential Advisor | $42,240 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.5% |
| Baggage Porter and Bellhop | $37,080 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.0% |
| Recreation Worker | $36,560 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.3% |
| Crematory Operator | $43,650 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.1% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a animal trainer make?
The national median salary for animal trainers is $39,990 a year ($19.23 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $29,600 and the top 10% earn over $75,490. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays animal trainers the most?
Virginia has the highest median pay at $62,960.
How many animal trainers are there in the U.S.?
About 18,770 people work as animal trainers nationwide.