Animal Trainer salary in Montana
Animal Trainers in Montana earn a median of $44,680 a year ($21.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,860 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $39,990. Montana ranks 12th of 47 states for animal trainers pay. There are 0.15 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,260, close to the median.
Pay range for animal trainers in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,060 | $15.90 |
| 25th percentile | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Median | $44,680 | $21.48 |
| 75th percentile | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,860 | $27.82 |
| Average (mean) | $44,260 | $21.28 |
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 | $3,723.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,861.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,718.46 |
| Weekly | $859.23 |
| Hourly | $21.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $34,210 | $16.45 |
| Childcare Worker | $35,120 | $16.89 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $29,710 | $14.28 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $43,940 | $21.13 |
| Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners | $22,030 | $10.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Recreation Worker | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| Gambling Service Workers, All Other | $23,400 | $11.25 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $38,000 | $18.27 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $40,100 | $19.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Residential Advisor | $47,230 | $22.71 |
| Skincare Specialist | $58,500 | $28.13 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for animal trainers in Montana is $44,680 a year, or $21.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in Montana?
The top 10% of animal trainers in Montana earn at least $57,860 a year. The top 25% earn $50,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,060 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $36,010 or less.
How many animal trainers work in Montana?
About 80 animal trainers are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.