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Career overview · SOC 39-2011

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.

Also called: Agility Instructor · Dog Obedience Instructor · Dog Trainer · Guide Dog Instructor · Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI) · Guide Dog Trainer

Median pay (national)
$38,750
$29,120–$70,800 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
20,110
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+5.1%
~7,100 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for animal trainers shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $70,800 versus $29,120 at the bottom 10% — 2.4x. The median of $38,750 leaves roughly 83% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +5.1% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 7,100 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 46 states with released data, Hawaii pays the most for this role (median $72,080, +86% vs the national median), while Kentucky sits lowest at $29,520 — a 144% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Speaking, Learning Strategies, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Speaking
  • Learning Strategies
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Mathematics
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact.
  • Observe animals' physical conditions to detect illness or unhealthy conditions requiring medical care.
  • Evaluate animals for trainability and ability to perform.
  • Cue or signal animals during performances.
  • Feed or exercise animals or provide other general care, such as cleaning or maintaining holding or performance areas.
  • Keep records documenting animal health, diet, or behavior.
  • Advise animal owners regarding the purchase of specific animals.
  • Conduct training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes.
  • Evaluate animals to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training.
  • Administer prescribed medications to animals.

Tools & technology

  • Atlassian JIRA
  • Epic Systems
  • Facebook
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Oracle Database
  • Oracle PeopleSoft
  • SAP software
  • Customer information control system CICS
  • Database software
  • Tracks Software
  • Work scheduling software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project

Knowledge areas

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Education and Training
  • Psychology
  • Administration and Management
  • English Language
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Administrative
  • Personnel and Human Resources