Animal Trainer salary in Delaware
Animal Trainers in Delaware earn a median of $33,810 a year ($16.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,670 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $39,990. Delaware ranks 42nd of 47 states for animal trainers pay. There are 0.19 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in Delaware
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $32,140 | $15.45 |
| Median | $33,810 | $16.25 |
| 75th percentile | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Average (mean) | $37,060 | $17.82 |
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 | $2,817.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,408.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,300.38 |
| Weekly | $650.19 |
| Hourly | $16.25 |
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 Delaware
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Related jobs in Delaware
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $34,350 | $16.51 |
| Childcare Worker | $33,210 | $15.97 |
| Recreation Worker | $33,790 | $16.25 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $59,790 | $28.75 |
| Residential Advisor | $34,530 | $16.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $33,210 | $15.97 |
| Gambling Dealer | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Shampooer | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Delaware
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 Delaware?
The median salary for animal trainers in Delaware is $33,810 a year, or $16.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in Delaware?
The top 10% of animal trainers in Delaware earn at least $45,670 a year. The top 25% earn $38,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in Delaware?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $32,140 or less.
How many animal trainers work in Delaware?
About 90 animal trainers are employed in Delaware, not counting the self-employed.