Animal Trainers Career, Salary and Skills
Animal Trainers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $39,990 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 18,770. Wage data is published for 142 locations.
Occupation description
Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or for assisting persons with disabilities. Accustom animals to human voice and contact, and condition animals to respond to commands. Train animals according to prescribed standards for show or competition. May train animals to carry pack loads or work as part of pack team.
O*NET code
39-2011.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$39,990
Hourly median
$19.22
Employment
18,770
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Instructing | 3.75 | 3.12 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.50 | 3.88 |
| Speaking | 3.50 | 3.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.38 | 3.38 |
| Active Learning | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Monitoring | 3.12 | 3.50 |
| Active Listening | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.12 | 2.88 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Coordination | 3.00 | 3.00 |
Typical tasks
- Cue or signal animals during performances.
- Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact.
- Conduct training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes.
- Feed or exercise animals or provide other general care, such as cleaning or maintaining holding or performance areas.
- Observe animals' physical conditions to detect illness or unhealthy conditions requiring medical care.
- Evaluate animals to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training.
- Administer prescribed medications to animals.
- Keep records documenting animal health, diet, or behavior.
Technology
- Atlassian JIRA
- Customer information control system CICS
- Database software
- Epic Systems
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
- Oracle Database
- Oracle PeopleSoft
Animal Trainers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Animal Trainers Salary in CAMedian $49,060 · Employment 2,270
- Animal Trainers Salary in FLMedian $36,870 · Employment 1,090
- Animal Trainers Salary in TXMedian $36,370 · Employment 1,080
- Animal Trainers Salary in New York, NYMedian $50,020 · Employment 970
- Animal Trainers Salary in NYMedian $48,790 · Employment 970
- Animal Trainers Salary in MDMedian $37,430 · Employment 890
- Animal Trainers Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $51,230 · Employment 830
- Animal Trainers Salary in GAMedian $45,250 · Employment 800
- Animal Trainers Salary in MIMedian $30,820 · Employment 800
- Animal Trainers Salary in OHMedian $32,700 · Employment 730
- Animal Trainers Salary in VAMedian $62,960 · Employment 720
- Animal Trainers Salary in Atlanta, GAMedian $46,810 · Employment 680
Related careers
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- Zoologists and Wildlife BiologistsNational median $76,780
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersNational median $33,580
- Amusement and Recreation AttendantsNational median $32,150
- Exercise PhysiologistsNational median $59,460
- Coaches and ScoutsNational median $47,320
- Training and Development SpecialistsNational median $69,280
- Animal ScientistsNational median $68,940
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.