CDCareer Decision

Animal Trainers Salary in Santa Maria, CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Animal Trainers in Santa Maria, CA have a median annual salary of $64,430. Recorded earnings range from $42,830 at the 10th percentile to $68,060 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$64,430

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$30.98

Employment

—

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$42,830
10th
$64,430
25th
$64,430
Median
$64,430
75th
$68,060
90th

Local compared with national

Santa Maria, CA

$64,430

Median annual · 2025

United States

$39,990

Median annual · 2025

The Santa Maria, CA median is 61.1% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $24,440).

Top skills

  1. 1.InstructingImportance 3.8
  2. 2.SpeakingImportance 3.5
  3. 3.Learning StrategiesImportance 3.5
  4. 4.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.4
  5. 5.Active LearningImportance 3.3
  6. 6.Active ListeningImportance 3.1
  7. 7.MonitoringImportance 3.1
  8. 8.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.1
  9. 9.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.0
  10. 10.CoordinationImportance 3.0
  11. 11.Service OrientationImportance 3.0
  12. 12.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.0

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Atlassian JIRA
  • Customer information control system CICS
  • Database software
  • Epic Systems
  • Facebook
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word
  • Oracle Database
  • Oracle PeopleSoft
  • SAP software

Common 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.
  • Evaluate animals for trainability and ability to perform.
  • Advise animal owners regarding the purchase of specific animals.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Animal Trainers salary in other locations

Other occupations in Santa Maria, CA