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Also called dog trainer, dolphin trainer, equestrian trainer and guide dog trainer.
Pay and headcount are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lines are written from what the US Department of Labor records about this work.
An example
Every line below comes from the same public record as the rest of this page. The greyed parts are the ones only you can answer.
Animal Trainer
Animal trainer working with animals to develop behaviors for shows and competitions, while ensuring their health and well-being through feeding, exercise, and proper care
Where you worked
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becomes
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The line
Signaled animals during every performance, communicating cues to ensure smooth and engaging shows
Add how often you signaled animals during shows.
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Adding it to the line…
The line
Trained animals for shows, enhancing their performance and behavior through consistent practice and positive reinforcement.
Show what improved in their behavior or performance after training.
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Adding it to the line…
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The work itself
The public record of what this job is, in one paragraph.
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.
What it pays
Annual pay across the United States. The middle figure is the median: half earn less than that, and half earn more.
| 25th percentile | $33,740 |
|---|---|
| Median | $39,990 |
| 75th percentile | $53,580 |
| State | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | $34,900 | $34,900 | $36,480 |
| AL | $43,600 | $55,700 | $65,930 |
| AR | $34,300 | $39,400 | $54,030 |
| AZ | $31,880 | $33,330 | $37,140 |
| CA | $39,730 | $49,060 | $64,280 |
| CO | $39,530 | $44,290 | $46,760 |
| CT | $37,260 | $45,800 | $61,510 |
| DC | $38,200 | $38,200 | $39,230 |
| DE | $32,140 | $33,810 | $38,380 |
| FL | $33,320 | $36,870 | $44,680 |
| GA | $36,150 | $45,250 | $73,840 |
| IA | $34,600 | $43,020 | $64,580 |
| ID | $33,220 | $40,770 | $42,870 |
| IL | $34,700 | $45,830 | $59,810 |
| IN | $36,910 | $45,270 | $82,680 |
| KS | $30,630 | $34,720 | $42,770 |
| KY | $29,140 | $34,030 | $46,730 |
| LA | $22,690 | $32,720 | $38,990 |
| MA | $33,670 | $43,580 | $57,160 |
| MD | $32,690 | $37,430 | $65,090 |
| ME | $38,480 | $40,760 | $40,760 |
| MI | $28,970 | $30,820 | $35,210 |
| MN | $35,370 | $41,690 | $57,240 |
| MO | $32,060 | $34,010 | $40,110 |
| MS | $32,910 | $35,130 | $53,870 |
| MT | $36,010 | $44,680 | $50,840 |
| NC | $33,700 | $37,680 | $57,860 |
| ND | $35,180 | $38,970 | $39,430 |
| NE | $34,900 | $34,900 | $38,490 |
| NH | $32,150 | $38,030 | $43,620 |
| NJ | $39,850 | $46,690 | $75,470 |
| NM | $31,880 | $34,760 | $36,650 |
| NV | $26,790 | $36,760 | $42,550 |
| NY | $40,100 | $48,790 | $62,050 |
| OH | $28,230 | $32,700 | $44,790 |
| OK | $31,160 | $40,310 | $50,600 |
| OR | $47,840 | $55,520 | $66,040 |
| PA | $33,560 | $38,920 | $52,080 |
| SC | $28,840 | $29,670 | $35,630 |
| SD | $31,080 | $38,120 | $42,210 |
| TN | $29,580 | $35,320 | $43,300 |
| TX | $30,920 | $36,370 | $44,770 |
| UT | $31,890 | $38,580 | $45,290 |
| VA | $41,910 | $62,960 | $107,830 |
| WA | $40,540 | $46,420 | $52,660 |
| WI | $31,440 | $37,140 | $49,530 |
| WV | $33,430 | $37,080 | $48,710 |
Other names
dog trainer, dolphin trainer, equestrian trainer, guide dog trainer, hearing dog trainer, horse trainer, lion trainer, marine animal trainer, marine mammal trainer, monkey trainer, obedience trainer, pet trainer.
racehorse trainer, seeing eye dog trainer, service dog trainer, show dog trainer, trainer, whale trainer, agility instructor, animal handler, bronc breaker, bronc buster, canine handler, canine service teacher, cat groomer, dog groomer, dog handler, dog obedience instructor, dog show judge, elephant tamer, equestrian, explosive detection canine handler, explosive detection k 9 handler, guide dog instructor, guide dog mobility instructor, GDMI, handler, horse breaker, horse wrangler, horseman, licensed guide dog instructor, lion tamer, outrider, pet groomer, pet handler, pet training instructor, ring conductor, seeing eye dog teacher, show horse driver, snake charmer, trick rodeo rider, wrangler.
If you served
From the crosswalk the US Department of Labor publishes itself. If one of these was your job, this page is about the civilian work it maps to.
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Other work in Personal care and service
This page is about the occupation Animal Trainers. What this job involves and what it is made of come from O*NET 30.3, the US Department of Labor's occupation database, refreshed July 2026; Rung writes those records into the plain sentences you see. Pay comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS release for 2025. Rung is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by either agency. How Rung handles accuracy is on the accuracy page, and the full data credits are on the credits page.