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.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 70 | $31,860 | $15.32 | |
| Alaska | 60 | $46,160 | $22.19 | |
| Arizona | 480 | $32,490 | $15.62 | |
| Arkansas | 250 | $39,040 | $18.77 | |
| California | 1,550 | $41,890 | $20.14 | |
| Colorado | 210 | $36,380 | $17.49 | |
| Connecticut | 290 | $41,290 | $19.85 | |
| Delaware | 100 | $40,920 | $19.67 | |
| Florida | 1,760 | $39,380 | $18.93 | |
| Georgia | 440 | $34,410 | $16.55 | |
| Hawaii | 70 | $38,690 | $18.60 | |
| Idaho | 70 | $21,490 | $10.33 | |
| Illinois | 850 | $34,260 | $16.47 | |
| Indiana | 260 | $28,460 | $13.68 | |
| Iowa | 220 | $31,860 | $15.32 | |
| Kansas | 130 | $49,550 | $23.82 | |
| Kentucky | 590 | $38,490 | $18.51 | |
| Louisiana | 150 | $31,580 | $15.18 | |
| Maine | 120 | $36,500 | $17.55 | |
| Maryland | 360 | $37,770 | $18.16 | |
| Massachusetts | 220 | $40,730 | $19.58 | |
| Michigan | 430 | $38,540 | $18.53 | |
| Minnesota | 320 | $41,200 | $19.81 | |
| Mississippi | $28,350 | $13.63 | ||
| Missouri | 210 | $31,910 | $15.34 | |
| Montana | 60 | $35,250 | $16.95 | |
| Nebraska | 30 | $28,270 | $13.59 | |
| Nevada | 60 | $30,120 | $14.48 | |
| New Hampshire | 90 | $39,710 | $19.09 | |
| New Jersey | 370 | $43,710 | $21.02 | |
| New Mexico | 90 | $32,840 | $15.79 | |
| New York | 770 | $67,440 | $32.43 | |
| North Carolina | 470 | $32,950 | $15.84 | |
| Ohio | 530 | $38,480 | $18.50 | |
| Oklahoma | 180 | $30,700 | $14.76 | |
| Oregon | 210 | $40,680 | $19.56 | |
| Pennsylvania | 530 | $33,840 | $16.27 | |
| South Carolina | 210 | $31,490 | $15.14 | |
| South Dakota | 40 | $37,090 | $17.83 | |
| Tennessee | 270 | $28,430 | $13.67 | |
| Texas | 1,330 | $32,750 | $15.75 | |
| Utah | 160 | $29,320 | $14.10 | |
| Virginia | 280 | $39,640 | $19.06 | |
| Washington | 330 | $38,240 | $18.38 | |
| West Virginia | 50 | $38,990 | $18.75 | |
| Wisconsin | 420 | $36,930 | $17.75 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that prepares individuals to teach and exercise animals for leisure, sport, show, and professional purposes. Includes instruction in animal psychology, health, and safety; human-animal interaction; learning and behavior styles associated with different breeds and species; and the technical and pedagogical aspects of training animals for such specific functions as obedient household pets, performing show animals, animal athletes, caregiving (e.g., seeing-eye dogs), search and rescue, and police/security work.
A program that focuses on the horse, horsemanship, and related subjects and prepares individuals to care for horses and horse equipment; ride and drive horses for leisure, sport, show, and professional purposes; and manage the training of horses and riders. Includes instruction in horse breeding, nutrition, health, and safety; history of the horse and horsemanship; horse development and training; riding and equestrian technique; stable, paddock, and track management; and equipment maintenance and repair.
A program of study that combines anthropology and zoology in order to examine the relationship between animals and humans. Includes instruction in animal behavior and communication, animal welfare, animal conservation, animal training, animal-assisted therapy techniques, biology, ethics, and education.
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$38,230 per yearNational average salaryVery HighJob growth rate
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High school diploma or equivalentTypical education requirement
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Moderate-term on-the-job trainingTypical on-the-job training requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as animal trainers.
- Less than high school 8%
- High school graduate 25%
- College dropout 23%
- Associate’s degree 8%
- Bachelor’s degree 30%
- Master’s degree 5%
- Doctorate degree 1%
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