All careers › Animal Trainers
Dog trainer: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $29,600lowest 10% earn less
- $33,74025th percentile
- $39,990median
- $53,58075th percentile
- $75,490top 10% earn more
O*NET lists dog trainer as a job title in the animal trainers group[1]. That group had median pay of $39,990 a year in May 2025[2], and jobs are projected to grow 4.2% from 2025 to 2035[3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +4.2%[3]
- Openings per year
- 6,500[6]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[7]
How much do dog trainers make?
BLS does not publish a separate figure for dog trainers. It reports one group, animal trainers, which also covers other trainers such as horse trainers and guide dog trainers[1]. In May 2025, the median wage for the group was $39,990 a year, or $19.22 an hour[2]. Half of the workers earned more and half earned less[2]. The mean (average) was higher, at $47,020 a year, or $22.61 an hour[8].
For comparison, the median for all occupations was $50,980 a year[5]. The animal trainer median sits below that figure[2][5].
Pay varies a lot within the group. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $29,600 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $75,490[4]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[4][10] | $29,600 | $14.23 |
| 25th percentile[4][10] | $33,740 | $16.22 |
| Median[2] | $39,990 | $19.22 |
| Mean[8] | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| 75th percentile[4][10] | $53,580 | $25.76 |
| 90th percentile[4][10] | $75,490 | $36.29 |
One limit matters for this job. These wages cover people paid a wage or salary, and they leave out the self-employed and any benefits[11]. In 2025, 38.7% of animal trainers were self-employed[12]. So the table does not show what that group earned.
Pay by state and city
Among the 46 states and DC with published data, Virginia had the highest median wage for animal trainers at $62,960 a year[13]. Alabama came next at $55,700, followed by Oregon at $55,520[13]. South Carolina was last on the list at $29,670[13].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ranked first at $66,040[14]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA followed at $61,490, and Raleigh-Cary, NC at $55,560[14].
The most jobs were in California (2,270), Florida (1,090), Texas (1,080), New York (970) and Maryland (890)[15]. By metro area, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ had the most jobs at 970, then Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA at 830 and Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA at 680[16].
Show median pay in 46 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia[13] | $62,960 | 720 |
| Alabama | $55,700 | 170 |
| Oregon | $55,520 | 140 |
| California | $49,060 | 2,270 |
| New York | $48,790 | 970 |
| New Jersey | $46,690 | 480 |
| Washington | $46,420 | 360 |
| Illinois | $45,830 | 680 |
| Connecticut | $45,800 | 290 |
| Indiana | $45,270 | 380 |
| Georgia | $45,250 | 800 |
| Montana | $44,680 | 80 |
| Colorado | $44,290 | 330 |
| Massachusetts | $43,580 | 510 |
| Iowa | $43,020 | 180 |
| Minnesota | $41,690 | 300 |
| Idaho | $40,770 | 180 |
| Maine | $40,760 | 110 |
| Oklahoma | $40,310 | 250 |
| Arkansas | $39,400 | 110 |
| North Dakota | $38,970 | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,920 | 460 |
| Utah | $38,580 | 260 |
| District of Columbia | $38,200 | n/a |
| South Dakota | $38,120 | 30 |
| New Hampshire | $38,030 | 140 |
| North Carolina | $37,680 | 640 |
| Maryland | $37,430 | 890 |
| Wisconsin | $37,140 | 480 |
| West Virginia | $37,080 | 100 |
| Florida | $36,870 | 1,090 |
| Nevada | $36,760 | 170 |
| Texas | $36,370 | 1,080 |
| Tennessee | $35,320 | 310 |
| Mississippi | $35,130 | 40 |
| Alaska | $34,900 | 50 |
| Nebraska | $34,900 | 60 |
| New Mexico | $34,760 | 60 |
| Kansas | $34,720 | 250 |
| Kentucky | $34,030 | 470 |
| Missouri | $34,010 | 250 |
| Delaware | $33,810 | 90 |
| Arizona | $33,330 | n/a |
| Louisiana | $32,720 | n/a |
| Ohio | $32,700 | 730 |
| Michigan | $30,820 | 800 |
| South Carolina | $29,670 | 200 |
How to become a dog trainer
The training details in this section come from a BLS profile that covers animal trainers together with other related occupations[17]. Where a point comes from that wider profile, it may not fit dog trainers exactly.
- Finish high school or an equivalent. BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education for entry, with no related work experience needed[7]. In an O*NET survey of 37 workers, 44% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required, 23% said less than a diploma, 17% said some college courses, 8% said a post-secondary certificate and 7% said an associate's degree[18].
- Learn on the job. BLS classes the typical training as moderate-term on-the-job training[7]. Animal trainers may pick up skills from an experienced trainer[19]. Our facts do not say how long this takes.
- Get time around animals. Employers often prefer applicants who have already worked with animals[20]. Volunteering or interning at zoos and aquariums is one way to build it[21].
- Consider courses. Dog trainers and horse trainers may take classes at community colleges or at vocational and private training schools[22].
- Look at certification. It is not required, but it can help show your skills. Dog trainer certification is offered by professional associations and by trade schools[23].
- Check business rules if you work for yourself. Many states require self-employed animal care and service workers to have a business license[24].
Some positions ask for more. Marine mammal trainers, for example, usually need a bachelor's degree in a field such as marine biology or animal science[25].
What dog trainers do
O*NET describes the wider job as training animals for riding, security, performance, obedience or helping people with disabilities[26]. Typical tasks include:
- Running training programs that build or keep up the behavior wanted for competition, entertainment, obedience, security or riding[27].
- Getting animals used to human voices and touch[27].
- Giving cues to animals during performances[27].
- Judging an animal's temperament and how well it can be trained[27].
- Feeding and exercising animals and cleaning the areas where they are kept[27].
- Watching animals for signs of illness and giving medication that has been prescribed[27].
- Keeping records on an animal's health, diet or behavior[27].
- Advising owners who are choosing an animal to buy[27].
Where they work
The wider BLS profile says animal care and service workers work in many settings, including kennels, zoos, stables, shelters, pet stores, veterinary clinics and aquariums, and the work may involve travel[28]. Among all animal care and service workers, 39% were self-employed in 2025[29].
BLS says full-time work is the norm for animal trainers, and part-time work is common for trainers and caretakers alike[30]. Schedules can include evenings, weekends and holidays[30]. Places that run around the clock, such as kennels, shelters and stables, may need animal care at all hours[30].
The work is physical. It can involve moving cages, lifting bags of food and exercising animals[31]. BLS notes that animal caretakers have one of the highest rates of injury and illness among all occupations, and workers can be bitten, scratched or kicked by scared or aggressive animals[32]. The work can also bring upsetting situations, such as seeing sick or abused animals in shelters[33].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of animal trainers to grow 4.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 47,800 to 49,700 jobs[3]. Growth for all occupations is projected at 3.5% over the same period[34]. So the projected growth is a little above the all-occupations rate[3][34].
BLS expects about 6,500 openings a year on average[6]. Openings include jobs that appear when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 4.9% of workers leave the labor force and 8.1% move to a different occupation[35].
You may notice that the job counts on this page differ. The 18,770 figure counts wage and salary jobs only[36]. The projection counts include self-employed workers[3].
Is it a good fit?
The entry path is open. BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent, no related experience and on-the-job training[7]. Pay for the group is below the all-occupations median, and it ranges widely[2][4][5]. Projected growth is slightly above the all-occupations rate, and about 6,500 openings a year are expected[3][34][6]. The wider BLS profile describes physical work and a high injury rate for animal caretakers[31][32]. Because many trainers work for themselves, the wage figures here describe only part of the field[11][12].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a dog trainer make an hour?
- BLS reports on the wider animal trainers group. Its median was $19.22 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $22.61[2][8]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $14.23 an hour, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $36.29[10].
- What education do you need to be a dog trainer?
- BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education for animal trainers[7]. Dog trainers may also take courses at community colleges or vocational and private schools[22]. Certification is not required[23].
- Is dog training in demand?
- BLS projects 4.2% job growth for animal trainers from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[3][34]. About 6,500 openings a year are expected[6].
- What is the highest paying state for animal trainers?
- Virginia, at a median of $62,960 a year in May 2025, followed by Alabama at $55,700 and Oregon at $55,520[13].
Facts and sources
- O*NET 39-2011.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Agility Instructor, Dog Obedience Instructor, Dog Trainer, Guide Dog Instructor, Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI), Guide Dog Trainer, Horse Trainer, Racehorse Trainer. O*NET OnLine
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Animal Trainers in the US was $39,990 per year and $19.22 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Animal Trainers is projected to grow 4.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 47,800 to 49,700 jobs (a change of +2,000). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Animal Trainers: 10th percentile $29,600, 25th percentile $33,740, 75th percentile $53,580, 90th percentile $75,490. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 6,500 openings for Animal Trainers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Animal Trainers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Animal Trainers was $47,020 per year and $22.61 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Animal Trainers: 10th percentile $14.23, 25th percentile $16.22, 75th percentile $25.76, 90th percentile $36.29. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: 38.7% of Animal Trainers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- Median annual wage for Animal Trainers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Animal Trainers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $66,040; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $61,490; Raleigh-Cary, NC $55,560; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $51,230; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $50,460; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,260; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $50,020; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $49,170. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Animal Trainers jobs: California 2,270; Florida 1,090; Texas 1,080; New York 970; Maryland 890. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Animal Trainers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 970 (median $50,020); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 830 (median $51,230); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 680 (median $46,810); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 650 (median $50,460); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 580 (median $46,890); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 500 (median $42,180). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Animal Care and Service Workers" covers Animal Trainers together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 39-2011.00 survey of workers (37 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 44%, Less than a High School Diploma 23%, Some College Courses 17%, Post-Secondary Certificate 8%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 7% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Animal Trainers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Animal Trainers. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of animal care and service workers in 2025: Self-employed workers 39%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Animal Trainers: 4.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 8.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 18,770 people were employed as Animal Trainers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the 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. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.