Animal Trainer salary in Madison, WI
Animal Trainers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $41,130 a year ($19.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,700 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $39,990. Pay here is 11% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $37,140. There are 0.16 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $50,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,500 | $16.11 |
| 25th percentile | $36,660 | $17.62 |
| Median | $41,130 | $19.77 |
| 75th percentile | $62,810 | $30.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,700 | $38.80 |
| Average (mean) | $50,620 | $24.34 |
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 | $3,427.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,713.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,581.92 |
| Weekly | $790.96 |
| Hourly | $19.77 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $41,830 | 270 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $40,520 | 190 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $35,320 | 30 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $34,160 | $16.42 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $48,720 | $23.42 |
| Recreation Worker | $34,030 | $16.36 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,490 | $17.54 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $32,460 | $15.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $47,310 | $22.75 |
| Childcare Worker | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $50,620 | $24.34 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $28,110 | $13.52 |
| Skincare Specialist | $37,720 | $18.14 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $27,840 | $13.38 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $31,170 | $14.98 |
| Residential Advisor | $44,170 | $21.23 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for animal trainers in the Madison, WI metro area is $41,130 a year, or $19.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of animal trainers in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $80,700 a year. The top 25% earn $62,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,500 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $36,660 or less.
How many animal trainers work in Madison, WI?
About 70 animal trainers are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.