Animal Trainer salary in New Jersey
Animal Trainers in New Jersey earn a median of $46,690 a year ($22.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,370 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $39,990. New Jersey ranks 6th of 47 states for animal trainers pay. There are 0.11 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| 25th percentile | $39,850 | $19.16 |
| Median | $46,690 | $22.45 |
| 75th percentile | $75,470 | $36.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,370 | $49.70 |
| Average (mean) | $62,460 | $30.03 |
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 | $3,890.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,945.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,795.77 |
| Weekly | $897.88 |
| Hourly | $22.45 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $50,020 | 970 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $42,860 | 310 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $39,450 | 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 |
Related jobs in New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| Childcare Worker | $36,390 | $17.49 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,150 | $17.38 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $34,500 | $16.59 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,370 | $17.49 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $59,870 | $28.79 |
| Recreation Worker | $36,880 | $17.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $54,330 | $26.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $52,360 | $25.17 |
| Gambling Dealer | $33,000 | $15.87 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| Skincare Specialist | $45,870 | $22.06 |
| Concierge | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Residential Advisor | $43,880 | $21.10 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for animal trainers in New Jersey is $46,690 a year, or $22.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of animal trainers in New Jersey earn at least $103,370 a year. The top 25% earn $75,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,860 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $39,850 or less.
How many animal trainers work in New Jersey?
About 480 animal trainers are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.