Animal Trainers Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for animal trainers in the U.S. is $39,990 ($19.22 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $39,990
- Mean annual wage
- $47,020
- Median hourly wage
- $19.22
- Employment
- 18,770
18,770 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,600 | $14.23 |
| 25th percentile | $33,740 | $16.22 |
| Median (50th) | $39,990 | $19.22 |
| 75th percentile | $53,580 | $25.76 |
| 90th percentile | $75,490 | $36.29 |
Highest-paying states for animal trainers
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Lowest-paying states
- South Carolina: $29,670 median annual wage
- Michigan: $30,820 median annual wage
- Ohio: $32,700 median annual wage
- Louisiana: $32,720 median annual wage
- Arizona: $33,330 median annual wage
About this occupation
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 tasks
- Train horses or other equines for riding, harness, show, racing, or other work, using knowledge of breed characteristics, training methods, performance standards, and the peculiarities of each animal.
- Cue or signal animals during performances.
- Administer prescribed medications to animals.
- Evaluate animals for trainability and ability to perform.
- Organize or conduct animal shows.
- Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 6.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 25.1% |
| Some college, no degree | 24.2% |
| Associate's degree | 9.8% |
| Bachelor's degree | 26.8% |
| Master's degree | 7.2% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 0.8% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Childcare Workers$34,980
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$32,150
- Recreation Workers$36,560
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$47,160
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$35,790
- Animal Caretakers$35,360
- Manicurists and Pedicurists$35,760
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$32,910
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.