Social Services
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.
Median salary (BLS)
$39,990
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$30k – $75k
Job outlook
+5% (faster than average)
AI exposure
Plan a path to Animal Trainers
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →How to qualify
EstimateLicense requiredCost to qualify
$200–$1,150
Time to qualify
1.5 yr
Renewal
$75/yr
- 1
High school diploma or GED
CourseExpected by most employers; if you need the GED, test fees run $0–$150 depending on the state.
$0–$150 · 3 months · varies by state source
- 2
On-the-job training
ExperienceEmployer-provided and typically paid — days to a few months for most no-degree roles.
Cost varies · 3 months source
- 3
State license — supervised hours + exam
LicenseMost counseling and social-work roles (LCSW/LPC pattern) require supervised experience hours and a state exam.
$200–$1,000 · 12 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source
Estimated typical U.S. route for "Animal Trainers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.
Typical progression
Junior Animal Trainers
Entry / Junior
$29,600
~2 yrs to advance
Animal Trainers
Established
$39,990
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Animal Trainers
Senior
$57,740
Key skills
A typical day
- •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.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Social Services
Explore all- University of Michigan18% admit · $87,000 grad pay
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill19% admit · $73,000 grad pay
- University of Chicago5% admit · $91,000 grad pay
- Columbia University4% admit · $103,000 grad pay
- University of Wisconsin–Madison49% admit · $72,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.