Animal Trainer salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Animal Trainers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $34,620 a year ($16.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,980 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $39,990. Pay here is 8% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $37,430. There are 0.34 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,270 | $15.04 |
| 25th percentile | $31,270 | $15.04 |
| Median | $34,620 | $16.64 |
| 75th percentile | $49,130 | $23.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,980 | $32.20 |
| Average (mean) | $43,920 | $21.12 |
Half of animal trainers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,885 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,442.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,331.54 |
| Weekly | $665.77 |
| Hourly | $16.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,620 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Animal Trainer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $50,460 | 650 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $42,860 | 310 |
Highest-paying states for animal trainers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia | $62,960 |
| Alabama | $55,700 |
| Oregon | $55,520 |
| California | $49,060 |
| New York | $48,790 |
| New Jersey | $46,690 |
| Washington | $46,420 |
| Illinois | $45,830 |
| Connecticut | $45,800 |
| Indiana | $45,270 |
See Animal Trainer pay in every state or the Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $47,140 | $22.66 |
| Childcare Worker | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $33,200 | $15.96 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,370 | $17.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Recreation Worker | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| Residential Advisor | $45,400 | $21.83 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $37,430 | $17.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $50,810 | $24.43 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $33,700 | $16.20 |
| Skincare Specialist | $58,930 | $28.33 |
| Concierge | $39,670 | $19.07 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a animal trainer make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for animal trainers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $34,620 a year, or $16.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of animal trainers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $66,980 a year. The top 25% earn $49,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,270 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $31,270 or less.
How many animal trainers work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 460 animal trainers are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.