Animal Trainer salary in California
Animal Trainers in California earn a median of $49,060 a year ($23.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,770 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $39,990. California ranks 4th of 47 states for animal trainers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.13 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,300 | $17.94 |
| 25th percentile | $39,730 | $19.10 |
| Median | $49,060 | $23.59 |
| 75th percentile | $64,280 | $30.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Average (mean) | $55,570 | $26.71 |
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 | $4,088.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,044.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,886.92 |
| Weekly | $943.46 |
| Hourly | $23.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Animal Trainer salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $64,430 | n/a |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $61,490 | 300 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $58,160 | 60 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $54,810 | 80 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $51,230 | 830 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $50,420 | 70 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $49,150 | 230 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $44,170 | 110 |
| Fresno, CA | $43,620 | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $43,070 | 200 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $41,770 | 40 |
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 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $38,700 | $18.60 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Childcare Worker | $40,020 | $19.24 |
| Recreation Worker | $39,780 | $19.12 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,630 | $17.61 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $38,660 | $18.59 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Gambling Dealer | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $53,620 | $25.78 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $56,110 | $26.98 |
| Residential Advisor | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $46,000 | $22.11 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for animal trainers in California is $49,060 a year, or $23.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in California?
The top 10% of animal trainers in California earn at least $78,770 a year. The top 25% earn $64,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,300 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $39,730 or less.
How many animal trainers work in California?
About 2,270 animal trainers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.