Animal Trainers Salary by State
The national median pay for animal trainers is $39,990 a year. By state, it ranges from $29,670 in South Carolina to $62,960 in Virginia.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $29,600
- 25th percentile
- $33,740
- Median
- $39,990
- 75th percentile
- $53,580
- Top 10%
- $75,490
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 18,770 jobs.
Median pay in 46 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia | $62,960 | +57% | $35,270 | $122,170 | 720 |
| 2 | Alabama | $55,700 | +39% | $33,950 | $70,520 | 170 |
| 3 | Oregon | $55,520 | +39% | $36,310 | $86,120 | 140 |
| 4 | California | $49,060 | +23% | $37,300 | $78,770 | 2,270 |
| 5 | New York | $48,790 | +22% | $35,400 | $71,510 | 970 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $46,690 | +17% | $35,860 | $103,370 | 480 |
| 7 | Washington | $46,420 | +16% | $37,490 | $58,780 | 360 |
| 8 | Illinois | $45,830 | +15% | $31,570 | $72,810 | 680 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $45,800 | +15% | $36,530 | $68,580 | 290 |
| 10 | Indiana | $45,270 | +13% | $32,100 | $86,840 | 380 |
| 11 | Georgia | $45,250 | +13% | $29,880 | $79,620 | 800 |
| 12 | Montana | $44,680 | +12% | $33,060 | $57,860 | 80 |
| 13 | Colorado | $44,290 | +11% | $36,420 | $67,330 | 330 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $43,580 | +9% | $33,670 | $82,810 | 510 |
| 15 | Iowa | $43,020 | +8% | $31,070 | $83,860 | 180 |
| 16 | Minnesota | $41,690 | +4% | $34,190 | $62,820 | 300 |
| 17 | Idaho | $40,770 | +2% | $30,530 | $44,200 | 180 |
| 18 | Maine | $40,760 | +2% | $37,080 | $48,230 | 110 |
| 19 | Oklahoma | $40,310 | +1% | $28,360 | $79,990 | 250 |
| 20 | Arkansas | $39,400 | −1% | $31,280 | $59,260 | 110 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $38,970 | −3% | $30,060 | $42,040 | 30 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $38,920 | −3% | $31,410 | $58,670 | 460 |
| 23 | Utah | $38,580 | −4% | $24,580 | $49,870 | 260 |
| 24 | District of Columbia | $38,200 | −4% | $38,200 | $66,440 | Not published |
| 25 | South Dakota | $38,120 | −5% | $30,530 | $44,780 | 30 |
| 26 | New Hampshire | $38,030 | −5% | $21,430 | $57,840 | 140 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $37,680 | −6% | $24,680 | $84,750 | 640 |
| 28 | Maryland | $37,430 | −6% | $31,270 | $73,530 | 890 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $37,140 | −7% | $29,420 | $62,810 | 480 |
| 30 | West Virginia | $37,080 | −7% | $29,510 | $76,750 | 100 |
| 31 | Florida | $36,870 | −8% | $30,350 | $61,860 | 1,090 |
| 32 | Nevada | $36,760 | −8% | $26,780 | $48,880 | 170 |
| 33 | Texas | $36,370 | −9% | $25,970 | $57,490 | 1,080 |
| 34 | Tennessee | $35,320 | −12% | $27,650 | $56,450 | 310 |
| 35 | Mississippi | $35,130 | −12% | $31,290 | $77,990 | 40 |
| 36 | Alaska | $34,900 | −13% | $34,900 | $43,870 | 50 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $34,900 | −13% | $33,220 | $49,070 | 60 |
| 38 | New Mexico | $34,760 | −13% | $29,710 | $41,350 | 60 |
| 39 | Kansas | $34,720 | −13% | $28,600 | $52,240 | 250 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $34,030 | −15% | $23,460 | $60,000 | 470 |
| 41 | Missouri | $34,010 | −15% | $30,390 | $53,580 | 250 |
| 42 | Delaware | $33,810 | −15% | $31,200 | $45,670 | 90 |
| 43 | Arizona | $33,330 | −17% | $31,250 | $41,620 | Not published |
| 44 | Louisiana | $32,720 | −18% | $20,840 | $44,160 | Not published |
| 45 | Ohio | $32,700 | −18% | $27,640 | $65,330 | 730 |
| 46 | Michigan | $30,820 | −23% | $27,370 | $43,360 | 800 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $29,670 | −26% | $27,040 | $43,280 | 200 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Animal Trainers salary questions
Which state pays animal trainers the most?
Virginia, with a median of $62,960 a year (+57% vs. the national median of $39,990). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays animal trainers the least?
South Carolina, with a median of $29,670 a year (−26% vs. national).
Where do most animal trainers work?
California has the most jobs, about 2,270, with a median of $49,060.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.