Animal Trainer salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Animal Trainers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $39,560 a year ($19.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,610 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $39,990. Pay here is 5% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $37,680. There are 0.11 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,870 | $12.44 |
| 25th percentile | $34,770 | $16.72 |
| Median | $39,560 | $19.02 |
| 75th percentile | $63,680 | $30.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,610 | $41.16 |
| Average (mean) | $49,970 | $24.02 |
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 | $3,296.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,648.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,521.54 |
| Weekly | $760.77 |
| Hourly | $19.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Animal Trainer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $99,190 | n/a |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $55,560 | 160 |
| Wilmington, NC | $37,080 | 50 |
| Asheville, NC | $36,970 | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $35,680 | n/a |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| Recreation Worker | $31,720 | $15.25 |
| Childcare Worker | $30,970 | $14.89 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $49,410 | $23.76 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,470 | $13.21 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| Residential Advisor | $56,170 | $27.00 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $49,580 | $23.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $55,050 | $26.46 |
| Skincare Specialist | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $34,370 | $16.52 |
| Funeral Attendant | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $63,450 | $30.51 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for animal trainers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $39,560 a year, or $19.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of animal trainers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $85,610 a year. The top 25% earn $63,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,870 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $34,770 or less.
How many animal trainers work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 40 animal trainers are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.