Animal Trainer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Animal Trainers Make?
Animal Trainers earn a median annual salary of $38,750 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $29,120 at the 10th percentile to $70,800 at the 90th percentile — a range of $41,680. The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $72,080.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,120 |
| 25th percentile | $32,870 |
| Median (50th) | $38,750 |
| 75th percentile | $48,900 |
| 90th percentile | $70,800 |
Animal Trainer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaiitop | $72,080 |
| Alabama | $58,480 |
| Oregon | $48,690 |
| California | $46,780 |
| Maryland | $46,390 |
| New York | $45,470 |
| Iowa | $45,180 |
| Colorado | $43,670 |
| Connecticut | $43,240 |
| Washington | $42,810 |
| Montana | $42,730 |
| Arkansas | $42,460 |
| New Jersey | $42,010 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,600 |
| North Carolina | $40,860 |
| Wisconsin | $40,360 |
| South Dakota | $39,380 |
| Indiana | $38,530 |
| Georgia | $38,130 |
| Maine | $37,990 |
| West Virginia | $37,970 |
| North Dakota | $37,430 |
| Tennessee | $37,250 |
| District of Columbia | $36,540 |
| New Hampshire | $36,410 |
| Idaho | $36,360 |
| Florida | $36,190 |
| Nevada | $36,060 |
| Minnesota | $35,530 |
| Utah | $35,380 |
| Kansas | $35,360 |
| Mississippi | $35,240 |
| Illinois | $34,560 |
| Delaware | $34,510 |
| Nebraska | $34,500 |
| Michigan | $34,100 |
| Alaska | $33,600 |
| Texas | $33,290 |
| Oklahoma | $33,120 |
| Ohio | $32,960 |
| Arizona | $32,230 |
| South Carolina | $31,620 |
| Louisiana | $31,520 |
| New Mexico | $31,510 |
| Missouri | $30,700 |
| Kentucky | $29,520 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Animal Trainers
Animal Trainer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$29,120 – $32,870 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$38,750 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$48,900 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $70,800+ |
How to Earn More as an Animal Trainer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Animal Trainers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC earn $94,390 — $55,640 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($48,900) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Animal Trainer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Animal Trainerthis career | $38,750 |
| Training and Development Manager | $127,090 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $65,850 |
| Animal Scientist | $79,120 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologist | $72,860 |
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SOC: 39-2011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.