Animal Trainers

SOC code 39-2011 · O*NET-SOC 39-2011.00 · Little to some preparation needed

Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation

Animal Trainers pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$39,990

a year

Hourly

$19.22

per hour

10th$29,600Median$39,99090th$75,490

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$47,020

$22.61 per hour

Middle 50%

$33,740 – $53,580

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$29,600 – $75,490

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

18,770

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $29,600; $14.23/hr
25th percentile: $33,740; $16.22/hr
Median percentile: $39,990; $19.22/hr
75th percentile: $53,580; $25.76/hr
90th percentile: $75,490; $36.29/hr

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.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Train 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.
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.
Use oral, spur, rein, or hand commands to condition horses to carry riders or to pull horse-drawn equipment.
Retrain horses to break bad habits, such as kicking, bolting, or resisting bridling or grooming.
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.

How to become an animal trainer

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 44% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)44%
Less than a High School Diploma23%
Some College Courses17%
Post-Secondary Certificate8%

Common questions

How much does an animal trainer earn?

The national median is $39,990 a year. The full range runs from $29,600 at the 10th percentile to $75,490 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become an animal trainer without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Speaking3.5/5
Learning Strategies3.5/5
Critical Thinking3.4/5
Active Learning3.3/5
Active Listening3.1/5
Monitoring3.1/5

Knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
Education and Training3.6/5
Psychology3.2/5
Administration and Management3.1/5
English Language3.1/5
Sales and Marketing2.8/5
Administrative2.7/5
Personnel and Human Resources2.7/5

Transferable strengths: Instructing, Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination.