Animal trainer earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level animal trainer earnings begin at:

$22.55 per hour

$46,913 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level animal trainer earnings begin at:

$18.65 per hour

$38,794 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level animal trainer earnings begin at:

$15.10 per hour

$31,410 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level animal trainer earnings begin at:

$12.23 per hour

$25,431 per year

10th percentile

Starting level animal trainer earnings begin at:

$10.11 per hour

$21,030 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Animal trainer salary by state

State Name Average Salary
Kentucky $45,750
Washington $38,460
Illinois $37,340
South Carolina $35,240
California $34,950
Connecticut $34,850
New York $34,530
Massachusetts $34,450
Indiana $33,200
New Mexico $32,870
Minnesota $32,110
Hawaii $31,410
New Hampshire $31,280
Delaware $31,200
Nebraska $29,170
Florida $28,870
North Dakota $28,400
Georgia $28,280
Alabama $28,020
Virginia $27,660
Oklahoma $27,610
Colorado $27,460
Missouri $26,670
Nevada $26,620
Arkansas $26,300
Texas $26,010
Utah $25,970
Iowa $25,520
New Jersey $25,510
Maryland $24,950
West Virginia $24,780
Oregon $24,580
Arizona $24,540
North Carolina $24,510
Pennsylvania $24,270
Louisiana $24,210
Tennessee $24,170
Alaska $24,080
Michigan $24,070
Ohio $23,700
Montana $23,610
Wisconsin $23,170
Maine $23,040
Kansas $22,910
Puerto Rico $20,870
Idaho $19,340
Mississippi $19,270

How do animal trainer salaries compare to similar careers?

Animal trainers earn about the same as related careers in Hawaii. On average, they make less than exterminators but more than veterinary assistants.

Career Median Salary
Exterminator salary $37K
Veterinary technologist salary $34K
Animal trainer salary $31K
Animal caretaker salary $30K
Veterinary assistant salary $29K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)