Animal Trainer salary in Kentucky
Animal Trainers in Kentucky earn a median of $34,030 a year ($16.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,000 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $39,990. Kentucky ranks 40th of 47 states for animal trainers pay. There are 0.23 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $40,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,460 | $11.28 |
| 25th percentile | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| Median | $34,030 | $16.36 |
| 75th percentile | $46,730 | $22.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,000 | $28.85 |
| Average (mean) | $40,950 | $19.69 |
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 | $2,835.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,417.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,308.85 |
| Weekly | $654.42 |
| Hourly | $16.36 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $34,310 | 200 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $34,220 | 180 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $34,030 | 160 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| Childcare Worker | $28,920 | $13.90 |
| Recreation Worker | $32,400 | $15.58 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,210 | $13.08 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $29,840 | $14.35 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $45,280 | $21.77 |
| Residential Advisor | $30,260 | $14.55 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $25,930 | $12.46 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $41,870 | $20.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $41,490 | $19.95 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,580 | $18.55 |
| Funeral Attendant | $29,160 | $14.02 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $43,320 | $20.83 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for animal trainers in Kentucky is $34,030 a year, or $16.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of animal trainers in Kentucky earn at least $60,000 a year. The top 25% earn $46,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,460 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $29,140 or less.
How many animal trainers work in Kentucky?
About 470 animal trainers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.