Animal Trainer salary in New York
Animal Trainers in New York earn a median of $48,790 a year ($23.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 970 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,510 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $39,990. New York ranks 5th of 47 states for animal trainers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.10 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| 25th percentile | $40,100 | $19.28 |
| Median | $48,790 | $23.46 |
| 75th percentile | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,510 | $34.38 |
| Average (mean) | $52,060 | $25.03 |
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 | $4,065.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,032.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,876.54 |
| Weekly | $938.27 |
| Hourly | $23.46 |
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 York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $50,020 | 970 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $44,950 | 60 |
| Rochester, NY | $44,760 | 40 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $43,010 | 60 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $38,540 | 50 |
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 York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Childcare Worker | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Recreation Worker | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,760 | $17.19 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $47,090 | $22.64 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $34,660 | $16.66 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $36,300 | $17.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $58,900 | $28.32 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Residential Advisor | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| Concierge | $57,570 | $27.68 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| Skincare Specialist | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $51,320 | $24.67 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for animal trainers in New York is $48,790 a year, or $23.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in New York?
The top 10% of animal trainers in New York earn at least $71,510 a year. The top 25% earn $62,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,400 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $40,100 or less.
How many animal trainers work in New York?
About 970 animal trainers are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.