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Top 15 cities for animal trainers by average salary
| Virginia Beach, VA | $76,380 |
|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $68,840 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $68,260 |
| San Francisco, CA | $65,520 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $62,820 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $62,380 |
| Richmond, VA | $60,200 |
| Portland, OR | $59,680 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $59,370 |
| New York, NY | $58,400 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $58,350 |
| Raleigh, NC | $58,310 |
| San Jose, CA | $57,670 |
| Ocala, FL | $56,640 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $56,310 |
Map: Animal Trainers salary by metro area
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Animal Trainers salary by state
Virginia pays animal trainers the most statewide, $74,870 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $74,870 | $62,960 | 720 | 2 | $76,380 | $60,200 |
| New Jersey | $62,460 | $46,690 | 480 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Oregon | $57,330 | $55,520 | 140 | 1 | $59,680 | $59,680 |
| Alabama | $55,600 | $55,700 | 170 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| California | $55,570 | $49,060 | 2,270 | 11 | $65,520 | $46,240 |
| Indiana | $54,810 | $45,270 | 380 | 2 | $58,350 | $51,870 |
| Connecticut | $52,340 | $45,800 | 290 | 3 | $62,380 | $45,510 |
| New York | $52,060 | $48,790 | 970 | 5 | $58,400 | $44,050 |
| Georgia | $51,470 | $45,250 | 800 | 1 | $53,280 | $53,280 |
| Iowa | $50,450 | $43,020 | 180 | 1 | $47,330 | $47,330 |
| Colorado | $50,010 | $44,290 | 330 | 3 | $68,260 | $46,760 |
| Massachusetts | $49,390 | $43,580 | 510 | 1 | $48,620 | $48,620 |
| Washington | $48,960 | $46,420 | 360 | 2 | $50,870 | $44,410 |
| Illinois | $48,230 | $45,830 | 680 | 1 | $50,260 | $50,260 |
| North Carolina | $47,600 | $37,680 | 640 | 5 | $58,310 | $40,790 |
| Maryland | $47,310 | $37,430 | 890 | 1 | $43,920 | $43,920 |
| Oklahoma | $47,110 | $40,310 | 250 | 2 | $53,610 | $43,160 |
| West Virginia | $46,540 | $37,080 | 100 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Minnesota | $46,410 | $41,690 | 300 | 1 | $46,390 | $46,390 |
| Mississippi | $44,300 | $35,130 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Montana | $44,260 | $44,680 | 80 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Arkansas | $43,410 | $39,400 | 110 | 1 | $43,380 | $43,380 |
| Washington, D.C. | $43,290 | $38,200 | n/a | 1 | $68,840 | $68,840 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,030 | $38,920 | 460 | 4 | $48,810 | $37,880 |
| Maine | $41,960 | $40,760 | 110 | 1 | $41,040 | $41,040 |
| Florida | $41,910 | $36,870 | 1,090 | 10 | $56,640 | $37,130 |
| Wisconsin | $41,790 | $37,140 | 480 | 3 | $50,620 | $41,450 |
| Kentucky | $40,950 | $34,030 | 470 | 2 | $41,990 | $41,430 |
| Texas | $39,700 | $36,370 | 1,080 | 5 | $44,530 | $33,470 |
| New Hampshire | $39,440 | $38,030 | 140 | 1 | $37,920 | $37,920 |
| Utah | $39,140 | $38,580 | 260 | 3 | $41,750 | $37,900 |
| Missouri | $38,910 | $34,010 | 250 | 2 | $39,900 | $39,720 |
| Ohio | $38,910 | $32,700 | 730 | 4 | $41,760 | $35,040 |
| Tennessee | $38,750 | $35,320 | 310 | 2 | $40,280 | $35,350 |
| Idaho | $38,720 | $40,770 | 180 | 1 | $40,230 | $40,230 |
| South Dakota | $38,100 | $38,120 | 30 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| North Dakota | $37,700 | $38,970 | 30 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Nebraska | $37,660 | $34,900 | 60 | 1 | $38,580 | $38,580 |
| Kansas | $37,540 | $34,720 | 250 | 1 | $36,770 | $36,770 |
| Delaware | $37,060 | $33,810 | 90 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Alaska | $36,380 | $34,900 | 50 | 1 | $36,150 | $36,150 |
| Nevada | $36,230 | $36,760 | 170 | 2 | $41,080 | $33,530 |
| Arizona | $35,430 | $33,330 | n/a | 2 | $36,500 | $35,520 |
| New Mexico | $34,930 | $34,760 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Michigan | $33,640 | $30,820 | 800 | 3 | $35,670 | $33,220 |
| South Carolina | $33,580 | $29,670 | 200 | 2 | $34,040 | $33,720 |
| Louisiana | $32,660 | $32,720 | n/a | 1 | $35,900 | $35,900 |
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Animal Trainers salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | $76,380 | $99,190 | $36.72 | n/a |
| Washington, DC | $68,840 | $50,460 | $33.10 | 650 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $68,260 | $58,090 | $32.82 | 40 |
| San Francisco, CA | $65,520 | $61,490 | $31.50 | 300 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $62,820 | $64,430 | $30.20 | n/a |
| Bridgeport, CT | $62,380 | $59,710 | $29.99 | 60 |
| Richmond, VA | $60,200 | $46,820 | $28.94 | 110 |
| Portland, OR | $59,680 | $66,040 | $28.69 | 110 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $59,370 | $58,160 | $28.54 | 60 |
| New York, NY | $58,400 | $50,020 | $28.08 | 970 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $58,350 | $46,020 | $28.05 | 160 |
| Raleigh, NC | $58,310 | $55,560 | $28.04 | 160 |
| San Jose, CA | $57,670 | $54,810 | $27.73 | 80 |
| Ocala, FL | $56,640 | $48,030 | $27.23 | 50 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $56,310 | $51,230 | $27.07 | 830 |
| Sacramento, CA | $56,150 | $44,170 | $27.00 | 110 |
| Tulsa, OK | $53,610 | $49,320 | $25.77 | 80 |
| Hartford, CT | $53,300 | $49,170 | $25.62 | 110 |
| Atlanta, GA | $53,280 | $46,810 | $25.62 | 680 |
| Oxnard, CA | $52,180 | $50,420 | $25.09 | 70 |
| Bloomington, IN | $51,870 | $40,600 | $24.94 | 60 |
| Seattle, WA | $50,870 | $50,260 | $24.46 | 170 |
| Madison, WI | $50,620 | $41,130 | $24.34 | 70 |
| Chicago, IL | $50,260 | $46,890 | $24.16 | 580 |
| Durham, NC | $49,970 | $39,560 | $24.02 | 40 |
| San Diego, CA | $49,590 | $49,150 | $23.84 | 230 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $49,520 | $43,010 | $23.81 | 60 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $48,810 | $42,860 | $23.47 | 310 |
| Boston, MA | $48,620 | $42,180 | $23.37 | 500 |
| Fresno, CA | $48,530 | $43,620 | $23.33 | 30 |
| Boulder, CO | $48,330 | $46,510 | $23.24 | 30 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $47,510 | $41,770 | $22.84 | 40 |
| Des Moines, IA | $47,330 | $38,370 | $22.75 | 30 |
| Albany, NY | $47,070 | $44,950 | $22.63 | 60 |
| Denver, CO | $46,760 | $44,160 | $22.48 | 170 |
| Rochester, NY | $46,750 | $44,760 | $22.48 | 40 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $46,390 | $41,830 | $22.31 | 270 |
| Tampa, FL | $46,350 | $43,680 | $22.28 | 160 |
| Riverside, CA | $46,240 | $43,070 | $22.23 | 200 |
| Charlotte, NC | $45,640 | $35,680 | $21.94 | n/a |
| Norwich, CT | $45,510 | $37,720 | $21.88 | 60 |
| Asheville, NC | $44,600 | $36,970 | $21.44 | 50 |
| Austin, TX | $44,530 | $38,420 | $21.41 | 140 |
| Bellingham, WA | $44,410 | $40,540 | $21.35 | 30 |
| Allentown, PA | $44,210 | $39,450 | $21.25 | 30 |
| Buffalo, NY | $44,050 | $38,540 | $21.18 | 50 |
| Baltimore, MD | $43,920 | $34,620 | $21.12 | 460 |
| Fayetteville, AR | $43,380 | $34,300 | $20.86 | 40 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $43,160 | $39,830 | $20.75 | 110 |
| Miami, FL | $43,070 | $37,980 | $20.71 | n/a |
| Naples, FL | $42,740 | $41,300 | $20.55 | 30 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $42,110 | $40,520 | $20.25 | 190 |
| Lexington, KY | $41,990 | $34,310 | $20.19 | 200 |
| Columbus, OH | $41,760 | $34,290 | $20.08 | 170 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $41,750 | $39,510 | $20.07 | 100 |
| Oshkosh, WI | $41,450 | $35,320 | $19.93 | 30 |
| Louisville, KY | $41,430 | $34,220 | $19.92 | 180 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $41,280 | $34,030 | $19.85 | 160 |
| Reno, NV | $41,080 | $39,000 | $19.75 | 60 |
| Portland, ME | $41,040 | $40,760 | $19.73 | 90 |
| Wilmington, NC | $40,790 | $37,080 | $19.61 | 50 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $40,680 | $37,290 | $19.56 | 60 |
| Dallas, TX | $40,300 | $35,990 | $19.37 | 340 |
| Nashville, TN | $40,280 | $36,860 | $19.36 | n/a |
| Boise, ID | $40,230 | $42,870 | $19.34 | 100 |
| St. Louis, MO | $39,900 | $34,010 | $19.18 | 140 |
| Houston, TX | $39,890 | $36,390 | $19.18 | 240 |
| Kansas City, MO | $39,720 | $35,950 | $19.10 | 160 |
| Lancaster, PA | $39,480 | $39,540 | $18.98 | 40 |
| Ogden, UT | $39,470 | $38,580 | $18.98 | 50 |
| Deltona, FL | $38,760 | $35,430 | $18.63 | 60 |
| Omaha, NE | $38,580 | $34,900 | $18.55 | 50 |
| Palm Bay, FL | $38,530 | $33,280 | $18.52 | 30 |
| Orlando, FL | $38,290 | $35,520 | $18.41 | n/a |
| Lakeland, FL | $38,250 | $33,200 | $18.39 | 50 |
| Toledo, OH | $38,170 | $35,840 | $18.35 | 30 |
| Manchester, NH | $37,920 | $37,700 | $18.23 | 40 |
| Provo, UT | $37,900 | $37,240 | $18.22 | 50 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $37,880 | $35,940 | $18.21 | 60 |
| San Antonio, TX | $37,150 | $35,740 | $17.86 | 90 |
| Sarasota, FL | $37,130 | $36,030 | $17.85 | 110 |
| Wichita, KS | $36,770 | $34,390 | $17.68 | 70 |
| Tucson, AZ | $36,500 | $31,410 | $17.55 | n/a |
| Anchorage, AK | $36,150 | $34,900 | $17.38 | 40 |
| New Orleans, LA | $35,900 | $36,180 | $17.26 | n/a |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $35,670 | $30,940 | $17.15 | 120 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $35,520 | $33,340 | $17.08 | n/a |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,350 | $30,530 | $16.99 | 70 |
| Cleveland, OH | $35,040 | $31,620 | $16.85 | 170 |
| Greenville, SC | $34,040 | $32,760 | $16.36 | 40 |
| Columbia, SC | $33,720 | $29,670 | $16.21 | n/a |
| Las Vegas, NV | $33,530 | $32,040 | $16.12 | 100 |
| El Paso, TX | $33,470 | $32,590 | $16.09 | 40 |
| Detroit, MI | $33,420 | $30,920 | $16.07 | 450 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $33,220 | $28,970 | $15.97 | 80 |
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Animal Trainers salary: questions
Where do animal trainers make the most money?
In Virginia Beach, VA, with an average of $76,380 a year, among the 95 metro areas we cover.
What is the average animal trainers salary in the U.S.?
$47,020 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $39,990, so half of animal trainers earn more than that and half less.
What salary should animal trainers ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of animal trainers nationwide earn between $33,740 (25th percentile) and $53,580 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays animal trainers the most?
Virginia, with a statewide average of $74,870 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is animal trainers pay the lowest?
Ann Arbor, MI, at $33,220 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 39-2011.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.