Animal Trainers
Animal Trainers (SOC 39-2011) earn a median $39,990 a year ($19.22 an hour) in the United States, with 18,770 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Virginia.
What animal trainers do
Animal trainers teach animals for riding, pulling in harness, guarding, performing, or obeying commands, and for helping people with disabilities. They get animals used to human voices and touch, then condition them to react to commands, and they prepare animals to meet set standards for shows or contests. Some train animals to carry loads or to work in a pack team. Each day can include judging an animal's temperament, ability, and aptitude, running programs that build or maintain wanted behavior, and giving cues or signals during performances. Trainers also feed and exercise animals, clean holding and performance areas, watch for signs of sickness, give prescribed medicine, and keep records on health, diet, and behavior. The agility instructor, canine handler, and bronc buster all appear among the O*NET titles.
Typical entry: O*NET respondents most often report a high school diploma or equivalent as the usual education level (about 44 percent).
Also called: Agility Instructor, Animal Handler, Animal Trainer, Bronc Breaker, Bronc Buster.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $14.23 | $16.22 | $19.22 | $25.76 | $36.29 | $22.61 | 18,770 |
| Annual | $29,600 | $33,740 | $39,990 | $53,580 | $75,490 | $47,020 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where animal trainers earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Virginia | Hourly | $16.96 | $20.15 | $30.27 | $51.84 | $58.74 | $35.99 | 720 | 0.18 | 1.45 |
| Annual | $35,270 | $41,910 | $62,960 | $107,830 | $122,170 | $74,870 | ||||
| Alabama | Hourly | $16.32 | $20.96 | $26.78 | $31.70 | $33.90 | $26.73 | 170 | 0.08 | 0.67 |
| Annual | $33,950 | $43,600 | $55,700 | $65,930 | $70,520 | $55,600 | ||||
| Oregon | Hourly | $17.46 | $23.00 | $26.69 | $31.75 | $41.41 | $27.56 | 140 | 0.07 | 0.60 |
| Annual | $36,310 | $47,840 | $55,520 | $66,040 | $86,120 | $57,330 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $17.94 | $19.10 | $23.59 | $30.90 | $37.87 | $26.71 | 2,270 | 0.13 | 1.03 |
| Annual | $37,300 | $39,730 | $49,060 | $64,280 | $78,770 | $55,570 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $17.02 | $19.28 | $23.46 | $29.83 | $34.38 | $25.03 | 970 | 0.10 | 0.83 |
| Annual | $35,400 | $40,100 | $48,790 | $62,050 | $71,510 | $52,060 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $17.94 | $19.10 | $23.59 | $30.90 | $37.87 | $26.71 | 2,270 | 0.13 | 1.03 |
| Annual | $37,300 | $39,730 | $49,060 | $64,280 | $78,770 | $55,570 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $14.59 | $16.02 | $17.72 | $21.48 | $29.74 | $20.15 | 1,090 | 0.11 | 0.91 |
| Annual | $30,350 | $33,320 | $36,870 | $44,680 | $61,860 | $41,910 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $12.49 | $14.87 | $17.49 | $21.53 | $27.64 | $19.09 | 1,080 | 0.08 | 0.64 |
| Annual | $25,970 | $30,920 | $36,370 | $44,770 | $57,490 | $39,700 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $17.02 | $19.28 | $23.46 | $29.83 | $34.38 | $25.03 | 970 | 0.10 | 0.83 |
| Annual | $35,400 | $40,100 | $48,790 | $62,050 | $71,510 | $52,060 | ||||
| Maryland | Hourly | $15.04 | $15.72 | $18.00 | $31.29 | $35.35 | $22.75 | 890 | 0.32 | 2.67 |
| Annual | $31,270 | $32,690 | $37,430 | $65,090 | $73,530 | $47,310 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | Hourly | $15.22 | $19.33 | $47.69 | $47.69 | $47.73 | $36.72 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $31,660 | $40,210 | $99,190 | $99,200 | $99,280 | $76,380 | ||||
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | Hourly | $19.07 | $24.00 | $31.75 | $31.75 | $41.41 | $28.69 | 110 | 0.09 | 0.75 |
| Annual | $39,660 | $49,920 | $66,040 | $66,040 | $86,120 | $59,680 | ||||
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | Hourly | $20.59 | $30.98 | $30.98 | $30.98 | $32.72 | $30.20 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $42,830 | $64,430 | $64,430 | $64,430 | $68,060 | $62,820 | ||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $19.64 | $21.45 | $29.56 | $37.93 | $45.00 | $31.50 | 300 | 0.13 | 1.06 |
| Annual | $40,840 | $44,620 | $61,490 | $78,890 | $93,600 | $65,520 | ||||
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | Hourly | $18.46 | $19.33 | $28.71 | $32.97 | $59.25 | $29.99 | 60 | 0.14 | 1.16 |
| Annual | $38,400 | $40,210 | $59,710 | $68,580 | $123,240 | $62,380 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $18.31 | $20.32 | $24.05 | $32.22 | $39.73 | $28.08 | 970 | 0.10 | 0.85 |
| Annual | $38,090 | $42,260 | $50,020 | $67,020 | $82,630 | $58,400 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $17.93 | $18.95 | $24.63 | $30.61 | $36.92 | $27.07 | 830 | 0.13 | 1.09 |
| Annual | $37,290 | $39,420 | $51,230 | $63,670 | $76,790 | $56,310 | ||||
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | Hourly | $14.52 | $18.84 | $22.51 | $36.62 | $44.76 | $25.62 | 680 | 0.23 | 1.94 |
| Annual | $30,200 | $39,180 | $46,810 | $76,170 | $93,090 | $53,280 | ||||
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Hourly | $16.19 | $18.08 | $24.26 | $51.84 | $58.74 | $33.10 | 650 | 0.21 | 1.71 |
| Annual | $33,680 | $37,600 | $50,460 | $107,830 | $122,170 | $68,840 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $15.25 | $17.52 | $22.55 | $29.32 | $38.94 | $24.16 | 580 | 0.13 | 1.06 |
| Annual | $31,730 | $36,440 | $46,890 | $60,990 | $80,990 | $50,260 | ||||
Top industries employing animal trainers
Other Personal Services employ 48.4% of animal trainers nationally (9,090 jobs) at a median $39,990 a year ($19.22 an hour), followed by Other Miscellaneous Retailers (17.7%) and Spectator Sports (9.5%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Personal Services NAICS 812900 | 9,090 | 48.4% | $39,990 | $19.22 |
| Other Miscellaneous Retailers NAICS 459900 | 3,320 | 17.7% | $36,240 | $17.42 |
| Spectator Sports NAICS 711200 | 1,780 | 9.5% | $46,470 | $22.34 |
| Support Activities for Animal Production NAICS 115200 | 1,430 | 7.6% | $43,630 | $20.97 |
| Social Advocacy Organizations NAICS 813300 | 380 | 2.0% | $57,430 | $27.61 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (18,770). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $31,280 for animal trainers in May 2021 and $39,990 in May 2025, with employment of 15,840 and 18,770.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $31,280 | $15.04 | 15,840 |
| May 2022 | $35,620 | $17.13 | 17,710 |
| May 2023 | $38,810 | $18.66 | 19,240 |
| May 2024 | $38,750 | $18.63 | 20,110 |
| May 2025 | $39,990 | $19.22 | 18,770 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
47 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia profile | $30.27 | $62,960 | $35,270 | $122,170 | 720 | 0.18 | 1.45 |
| 2 | Alabama profile | $26.78 | $55,700 | $33,950 | $70,520 | 170 | 0.08 | 0.67 |
| 3 | Oregon profile | $26.69 | $55,520 | $36,310 | $86,120 | 140 | 0.07 | 0.60 |
| 4 | California profile | $23.59 | $49,060 | $37,300 | $78,770 | 2,270 | 0.13 | 1.03 |
| 5 | New York profile | $23.46 | $48,790 | $35,400 | $71,510 | 970 | 0.10 | 0.83 |
| 6 | New Jersey profile | $22.45 | $46,690 | $35,860 | $103,370 | 480 | 0.11 | 0.92 |
| 7 | Washington profile | $22.32 | $46,420 | $37,490 | $58,780 | 360 | 0.10 | 0.84 |
| 8 | Illinois profile | $22.03 | $45,830 | $31,570 | $72,810 | 680 | 0.11 | 0.92 |
| 9 | Connecticut profile | $22.02 | $45,800 | $36,530 | $68,580 | 290 | 0.17 | 1.39 |
| 10 | Indiana profile | $21.76 | $45,270 | $32,100 | $86,840 | 380 | 0.12 | 0.98 |
| 11 | Georgia profile | $21.76 | $45,250 | $29,880 | $79,620 | 800 | 0.16 | 1.35 |
| 12 | Montana profile | $21.48 | $44,680 | $33,060 | $57,860 | 80 | 0.15 | 1.26 |
| 13 | Colorado profile | $21.29 | $44,290 | $36,420 | $67,330 | 330 | 0.11 | 0.94 |
| 14 | Massachusetts profile | $20.95 | $43,580 | $33,670 | $82,810 | 510 | 0.14 | 1.17 |
| 15 | Iowa profile | $20.68 | $43,020 | $31,070 | $83,860 | 180 | 0.12 | 0.97 |
| 16 | Minnesota profile | $20.04 | $41,690 | $34,190 | $62,820 | 300 | 0.10 | 0.84 |
| 17 | Idaho profile | $19.60 | $40,770 | $30,530 | $44,200 | 180 | 0.21 | 1.72 |
| 18 | Maine profile | $19.60 | $40,760 | $37,080 | $48,230 | 110 | 0.17 | 1.44 |
| 19 | Oklahoma profile | $19.38 | $40,310 | $28,360 | $79,990 | 250 | 0.15 | 1.21 |
| 20 | Arkansas profile | $18.94 | $39,400 | $31,280 | $59,260 | 110 | 0.09 | 0.73 |
| 21 | North Dakota profile | $18.73 | $38,970 | $30,060 | $42,040 | 30 | 0.08 | 0.62 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania profile | $18.71 | $38,920 | $31,410 | $58,670 | 460 | 0.08 | 0.63 |
| 23 | Utah profile | $18.55 | $38,580 | $24,580 | $49,870 | 260 | 0.15 | 1.24 |
| 24 | District of Columbia profile | $18.37 | $38,200 | $38,200 | $66,440 | ** | ** | ** |
| 25 | South Dakota profile | $18.33 | $38,120 | $30,530 | $44,780 | 30 | 0.07 | 0.62 |
| 26 | New Hampshire profile | $18.28 | $38,030 | $21,430 | $57,840 | 140 | 0.20 | 1.68 |
| 27 | North Carolina profile | $18.11 | $37,680 | $24,680 | $84,750 | 640 | 0.13 | 1.07 |
| 28 | Maryland profile | $18.00 | $37,430 | $31,270 | $73,530 | 890 | 0.32 | 2.67 |
| 29 | Wisconsin profile | $17.86 | $37,140 | $29,420 | $62,810 | 480 | 0.16 | 1.35 |
| 30 | West Virginia profile | $17.83 | $37,080 | $29,510 | $76,750 | 100 | 0.14 | 1.15 |
| 31 | Florida profile | $17.72 | $36,870 | $30,350 | $61,860 | 1,090 | 0.11 | 0.91 |
| 32 | Nevada profile | $17.67 | $36,760 | $26,780 | $48,880 | 170 | 0.11 | 0.93 |
| 33 | Texas profile | $17.49 | $36,370 | $25,970 | $57,490 | 1,080 | 0.08 | 0.64 |
| 34 | Tennessee profile | $16.98 | $35,320 | $27,650 | $56,450 | 310 | 0.09 | 0.77 |
| 35 | Mississippi profile | $16.89 | $35,130 | $31,290 | $77,990 | 40 | 0.04 | 0.30 |
| 36 | Alaska profile | $16.78 | $34,900 | $34,900 | $43,870 | 50 | 0.16 | 1.30 |
| 37 | Nebraska profile | $16.78 | $34,900 | $33,220 | $49,070 | 60 | 0.06 | 0.52 |
| 38 | New Mexico profile | $16.71 | $34,760 | $29,710 | $41,350 | 60 | 0.07 | 0.54 |
| 39 | Kansas profile | $16.69 | $34,720 | $28,600 | $52,240 | 250 | 0.17 | 1.44 |
| 40 | Kentucky profile | $16.36 | $34,030 | $23,460 | $60,000 | 470 | 0.23 | 1.94 |
| 41 | Missouri profile | $16.35 | $34,010 | $30,390 | $53,580 | 250 | 0.09 | 0.70 |
| 42 | Delaware profile | $16.25 | $33,810 | $31,200 | $45,670 | 90 | 0.19 | 1.59 |
| 43 | Arizona profile | $16.02 | $33,330 | $31,250 | $41,620 | ** | ** | ** |
| 44 | Louisiana profile | $15.73 | $32,720 | $20,840 | $44,160 | ** | ** | ** |
| 45 | Ohio profile | $15.72 | $32,700 | $27,640 | $65,330 | 730 | 0.13 | 1.08 |
| 46 | Michigan profile | $14.82 | $30,820 | $27,370 | $43,360 | 800 | 0.18 | 1.50 |
| 47 | South Carolina profile | $14.27 | $29,670 | $27,040 | $43,280 | 200 | 0.09 | 0.71 |
Part of Personal Care and Service Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 39-2011 Animal Trainers.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 39-2011, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 39-2011.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.