Animal Trainer salary in Maryland
Animal Trainers in Maryland earn a median of $37,430 a year ($18.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 890 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,530 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $39,990. Maryland ranks 28th of 47 states for animal trainers pay. There are 0.32 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,270 | $15.04 |
| 25th percentile | $32,690 | $15.72 |
| Median | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| 75th percentile | $65,090 | $31.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,530 | $35.35 |
| Average (mean) | $47,310 | $22.75 |
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 | $3,119.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,559.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,439.62 |
| Weekly | $719.81 |
| Hourly | $18.00 |
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 Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $50,460 | 650 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $42,860 | 310 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $34,620 | 460 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $36,780 | $17.68 |
| Childcare Worker | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $36,710 | $17.65 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $47,420 | $22.80 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Recreation Worker | $37,200 | $17.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $51,510 | $24.77 |
| Residential Advisor | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $37,300 | $17.93 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Gambling Dealer | $31,740 | $15.26 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $34,020 | $16.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $49,510 | $23.80 |
| Concierge | $39,950 | $19.21 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for animal trainers in Maryland is $37,430 a year, or $18.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in Maryland?
The top 10% of animal trainers in Maryland earn at least $73,530 a year. The top 25% earn $65,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,270 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $32,690 or less.
How many animal trainers work in Maryland?
About 890 animal trainers are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.