How Much Does an Animal Trainer Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$39,990
Animal trainers in the U.S. earn a median of $39,990 a year, or $19.22 an hour. Half of animal trainers earn more than $39,990 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $75,490.
Pay percentiles for animal trainers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $14.23 | $29,600 |
| 25th | $16.22 | $33,740 |
| 50th (median) | $19.22 | $39,990 |
| 75th | $25.76 | $53,580 |
| 90th | $36.29 | $75,490 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Animal Trainers (SOC 39-2011). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for animal trainers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $62,960 | $30.27 | +57% |
| Alabama | $55,700 | $26.78 | +39% |
| Oregon | $55,520 | $26.69 | +39% |
| California | $49,060 | $23.59 | +23% |
| New York | $48,790 | $23.46 | +22% |
| New Jersey | $46,690 | $22.45 | +17% |
| Washington | $46,420 | $22.32 | +16% |
| Illinois | $45,830 | $22.03 | +15% |
| Connecticut | $45,800 | $22.02 | +15% |
| Indiana | $45,270 | $21.76 | +13% |
| United States | $39,990 | $19.22 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many animal trainers are there?
BLS counts about 18,770 animal trainers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (2,270), Florida (1,090) and Texas (1,080).
The mean (average) annual wage is $47,020, higher than the median of $39,990.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,333
- Biweekly
- $1,538
- Weekly
- $769
- Daily (8 hours)
- $154
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do animal trainers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for animal trainers is $19.22. The middle 50% earn between $16.22 and $25.76 an hour.
Which state pays animal trainers the most?
Virginia has the highest median wage for animal trainers at $62,960, +57% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for animal trainers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of animal trainers earn less than $29,600 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.