Animal trainer earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level animal trainer earnings begin at:

$20.54 per hour

$42,730 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level animal trainer earnings begin at:

$16.58 per hour

$34,490 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level animal trainer earnings begin at:

$11.40 per hour

$23,700 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level animal trainer earnings begin at:

$10.10 per hour

$21,010 per year

10th percentile

Starting level animal trainer earnings begin at:

$9.41 per hour

$19,580 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 27% less than similar careers in Ohio. On average, they make less than animal breeders but more than animal caretakers.

Career Median Salary
Animal breeder salary $62K
Zoologist salary $57K
Exterminator salary $35K
Animal control worker salary $36K
Veterinary technologist salary $32K
Animal trainer salary $24K
Veterinary assistant salary $25K
Animal caretaker salary $21K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)