Animal Trainers
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.
Also called: Agility Instructor, Animal Handler, Animal Trainer, Bronc Breaker, Bronc Buster, Canine Handler
Median pay
$39,990
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$29,600 – $75,490
People employed
18,770
Holland code
RSC
Realistic · Social · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 2.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 3.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 4.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 5.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Work outdoors in all weather
Animal Trainers pay by state
Annual median pay by state (46 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What animal trainers do
- 01Train horses or other equines for riding, harness, show, racing, or other work, using knowledge of breed characteristics, training methods, performance standards, and the peculiarities of each animal.
- 02Cue or signal animals during performances.
- 03Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact.
- 04Conduct training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes.
- 05Use oral, spur, rein, or hand commands to condition horses to carry riders or to pull horse-drawn equipment.
- 06Retrain horses to break bad habits, such as kicking, bolting, or resisting bridling or grooming.
Skills that matter most
- Learning Strategies
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Psychology
- Administration and Management
- English Language
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Perseverance
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from animal trainers
- Animal Control Workers82% · +14%
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers78% · −5%
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors77% · +18%
- Athletes and Sports Competitors75% · +67%
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials73% · +2%
Change into animal trainers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Animal Control Workers80% · $45,660
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors73% · $47,160
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials73% · $40,710
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers72% · $33,580
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists71% · $35,790
Majors that lead here
- Animal Training
- Equestrian/Equine Studies
- Anthrozoology
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.