Occupation salary profile

Animal Trainers

SOC 39-2011 BLS OEWS May 2025

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.

National median · BLS
$39,990
▲ +3.2% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$47,020
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
18,770
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Animal Trainers

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$29,600
25th$33,740
Median (50th)$39,990
75th$53,580
90th — top pay$75,490

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Animal Trainers

BLS projects employment of animal trainers to grow 4.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 6,500 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
47,800 → 49,700
+2,000 jobs
Projected change
+4.2%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
6,500
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
38.7% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Fastest-growing jobs → Best-paying jobs that need a high school diploma →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Animal Trainers

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Instructing3.8
  • Learning Strategies3.5
  • Speaking3.5
  • Critical Thinking3.4
  • Active Learning3.3
  • Active Listening3.1
  • Judgment and Decision Making3.1
  • Monitoring3.1
  • Complex Problem Solving3.0
  • Coordination3.0
Top knowledge areas
  • Customer and Personal Service4.0
  • Education and Training3.6
  • Psychology3.2
  • Administration and Management3.1
  • English Language3.1
  • Sales and Marketing2.8
  • Administrative2.7
  • Personnel and Human Resources2.7
Software and technology used
Atlassian JIRAEpic SystemsFacebookMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordOracle DatabaseOracle PeopleSoftSAP softwareCustomer information control system CICSDatabase softwareTracks SoftwareWork scheduling software

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What animal trainers do

  • Cue or signal animals during performances.
  • Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact.
  • Conduct training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes.
  • 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.
  • Evaluate animals to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training.
  • Administer prescribed medications to animals.
  • Keep records documenting animal health, diet, or behavior.
Also called
Dog TrainerGuide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI)Horse TrainerTrainerAgility InstructorDog Obedience InstructorGuide Dog InstructorGuide Dog TrainerRacehorse TrainerService Dog Trainer
More job titles for this occupation (41)
Animal HandlerAnimal TrainerBronc BreakerBronc BusterCanine HandlerCanine Service TeacherCat GroomerDog GroomerDog HandlerDog Show JudgeDolphin TrainerElephant TamerEquestrianEquestrian TrainerExplosive Detection K-9 Handler (Explosive Detection Canine Handler)HandlerHearing Dog TrainerHorse BreakerHorse WranglerHorsemanLicensed Guide Dog InstructorLion TamerLion TrainerMarine Animal TrainerMarine Mammal TrainerMonkey TrainerObedience TrainerOutriderPet GroomerPet HandlerPet TrainerPet Training InstructorRing ConductorSeeing Eye Dog TeacherSeeing Eye Dog TrainerShow Dog TrainerShow Horse DriverSnake CharmerTrick Rodeo RiderWhale TrainerWrangler

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.