Animal Trainer salary in Minnesota
Animal Trainers in Minnesota earn a median of $41,690 a year ($20.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,820 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $39,990. Minnesota ranks 16th of 47 states for animal trainers pay. There are 0.10 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,190 | $16.44 |
| 25th percentile | $35,370 | $17.01 |
| Median | $41,690 | $20.04 |
| 75th percentile | $57,240 | $27.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,820 | $30.20 |
| Average (mean) | $46,410 | $22.31 |
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 | $3,474.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,737.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,603.46 |
| Weekly | $801.73 |
| Hourly | $20.04 |
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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $41,830 | 270 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $36,430 | $17.51 |
| Childcare Worker | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| Recreation Worker | $37,510 | $18.03 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $30,830 | $14.82 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $43,620 | $20.97 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Residential Advisor | $48,770 | $23.45 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,040 | $17.33 |
| Gambling Service Workers, All Other | $31,540 | $15.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $51,160 | $24.60 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $33,480 | $16.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $50,410 | $24.24 |
| Gambling Dealer | $27,190 | $13.07 |
| Skincare Specialist | $44,430 | $21.36 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for animal trainers in Minnesota is $41,690 a year, or $20.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of animal trainers in Minnesota earn at least $62,820 a year. The top 25% earn $57,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,190 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $35,370 or less.
How many animal trainers work in Minnesota?
About 300 animal trainers are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.