Animal Trainers earn a median of $39,990 per year ($19.22/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 4.2% through 2035, with about 6,500 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 39-2011
- Personal Care and Service
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Animal Trainer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $39,990a year, or $19.22/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $30KTop 10% $75K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +4.2%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+4.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +4.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 6,50047,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202547.8K
- Projected 203549.7K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 47.8K Projected 2035 49.7K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school22.6%
- High school44.4%
- Certificate7.9%
- Some college16.6%
- Associate's6.8%
- Bachelor's1.8%
Highest education held by animal trainers Segment Value Less than high school 22.6% High school 44.4% Certificate 7.9% Some college 16.6% Associate's 6.8% Bachelor's 1.8%
Also advertised as: Agility Instructor, Dog Obedience Instructor, Dog Trainer, Guide Dog Instructor, Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI), Guide Dog Trainer.
Pay
How much do Animal Trainers make?
Every animal trainer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$39,990
Middle half earn $33,740 to $53,580
- 10th
- $29,600
- 25th
- $33,740
- 75th
- $53,580
- 90th
- $75,490
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $29,600 |
| 25th | $33,740 |
| Median | $39,990 |
| 75th | $53,580 |
| 90th | $75,490 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $39,990
- Median hourly wage
- $19.22/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $47,020
- People employed
- 18,770
Versus all US occupations
At $39,990, Animal Trainers earn 22% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $10,990 a year.
Versus personal care and service occupations
Inside the Personal Care and Service group, where the middle occupation pays $38,120, this is 5% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $75,490 or more while the bottom 10% earn $29,600, a gap of 2.6×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 7% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Virginia posts the highest raw median ($62,960), but once local prices are taken into account Alabama leads at $62,709 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Animal Trainers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Virginia | $62,960 | $62,273 | 720 |
| 2Alabama | $55,700 | $62,709 | 170 |
| 3Oregon | $55,520 | $53,715 | 140 |
| 4California | $49,060 | $44,310 | 2,270 |
| 5New York | $48,790 | $45,209 | 970 |
| 6New Jersey | $46,690 | $42,912 | 480 |
| 7Washington | $46,420 | $43,378 | 360 |
| 8Illinois | $45,830 | $45,849 | 680 |
| 9Connecticut | $45,800 | $44,204 | 290 |
| 10Indiana | $45,270 | $48,506 | 380 |
Job outlook
Is Animal Trainer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +4.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Animal Trainers | +4.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Animal Trainers to change 4.2% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 2,000 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 6,500 openings are projected each year, 13.6% of the 47,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of animal care and service workers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Many people consider their pets to be a part of their family and are willing to pay more for pet care than pet owners have in the past. As more households include companion pets, employment of animal care and service workers is expected to continue to grow.
Getting in
How to become an Animal Trainer
Animal care and service workers typically have a high school diploma or equivalent and learn the occupation on the job. Many employers prefer to hire people who have experience with animals.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as animal trainers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)44.4%
- Less than a High School Diploma22.6%
- Some College Courses16.6%
- Post-Secondary Certificate7.9%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree6.8%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 44.4% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 22.6% |
| Some College Courses | 16.6% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 7.9% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 6.8% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Animal Trainer do?
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.
Animal care and service workers attend to or train animals. Working with pets and other nonfarm animals, these caretakers and trainers feed, groom, and exercise the animals or teach them to respond to human commands.
Day-to-day tasks
- Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact.
- Evaluate animals to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training.
- Conduct training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes.
- Evaluate animals for trainability and ability to perform.
- 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.
- Keep records documenting animal health, diet, or behavior.
- Advise animal owners regarding the purchase of specific animals.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Although most animal trainers work full time, part-time work is common for both trainers and animal caretakers. Work schedules may vary to include evenings, weekends, and holidays. In facilities that operate 24 hours a day, such as kennels, animal shelters, and stables, animals may need care around the clock.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where animal trainers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Other personal services40%
- Self-employed workers25%
- Professional, scientific, and technical services10%
- Retail trade9%
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Other personal services | 40% |
| Self-employed workers | 25% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 10% |
| Retail trade | 9% |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 5% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Speaking3.5
- Learning Strategies3.5
- Critical Thinking3.4
- Active Learning3.3
- Active Listening3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Reading Comprehension2.9
- Writing2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Speaking | 3.5 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.5 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.4 |
| Active Learning | 3.3 |
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.9 |
| Writing | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Instructing3.8
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Coordination3.0
- Service Orientation3.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Persuasion2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instructing | 3.8 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Persuasion | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Calendar and scheduling software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Animal Trainer?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Animal Trainer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with teaching, helping and working directly with other people.
- Realistic6.5
- Social3.6
- Conventional3.0
- Investigative2.3
- Enterprising2.1
- Artistic1.8
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Animal Trainer
O*NET related occupations
- Personal Care and Service
- Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
- Healthcare Support
Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker
$38,150median a year
Most earn $30K to $49K
+9.1%High school - Protective Service
- Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
Farmworker, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animal
$36,670median a year
Most earn $27K to $54K
−3.2%No formal credential - Personal Care and Service
Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor
$47,160median a year
Most earn $29K to $83K
+7.3%High school
More personal care and service careers
Median annual pay, with animal trainers highlighted
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor$47,160
- Animal Trainer$39,990
- Concierge$38,950
- Tour Guide and Escort$38,120
- Hairstylist$35,790
- Manicurist and Pedicurist$35,760
- Nanny$34,980
- Childcare Worker$34,980
- Gambling Dealer$34,320
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor | $47,160 |
| Animal Trainer | $39,990 |
| Concierge | $38,950 |
| Tour Guide and Escort | $38,120 |
| Hairstylist | $35,790 |
| Manicurist and Pedicurist | $35,760 |
| Nanny | $34,980 |
| Childcare Worker | $34,980 |
| Gambling Dealer | $34,320 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within animal trainer
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Animal Trainer appears on
Questions
Animal Trainer: frequently asked questions
How much do Animal Trainers make?
Animal Trainers earn a median of $39,990 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 22% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $19.22/hr. The middle half earn between $33,740 and $53,580. The top 10% earn $75,490 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Animal Trainer?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Animal Trainers. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 44.4% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Animal Trainer a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 4.2% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 6,500 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Animal Trainer do?
Animal care and service workers attend to or train animals. A core O*NET task: talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software.
Which states pay Animal Trainers the most?
The highest state medians for Animal Trainers are Virginia ($62,960), Alabama ($55,700), Oregon ($55,520) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Alabama moves to the top at $62,709.
What personality type suits an Animal Trainer?
O*NET scores Animal Trainers highest on the Realistic and Social interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with teaching, helping and working directly with other people. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISFJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.