Animal Trainer salary in North Carolina
Animal Trainers in North Carolina earn a median of $37,680 a year ($18.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 640 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,750 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $39,990. North Carolina ranks 27th of 47 states for animal trainers pay. There are 0.13 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $47,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,680 | $11.87 |
| 25th percentile | $33,700 | $16.20 |
| Median | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| 75th percentile | $57,860 | $27.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,750 | $40.75 |
| Average (mean) | $47,600 | $22.89 |
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 | $3,140 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,570 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,449.23 |
| Weekly | $724.62 |
| Hourly | $18.11 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $99,190 | n/a |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $55,560 | 160 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $39,560 | 40 |
| Wilmington, NC | $37,080 | 50 |
| Asheville, NC | $36,970 | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $35,680 | n/a |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $30,870 | $14.84 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $26,680 | $12.83 |
| Childcare Worker | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Recreation Worker | $32,720 | $15.73 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $38,410 | $18.47 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $30,260 | $14.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $49,040 | $23.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $45,400 | $21.83 |
| Residential Advisor | $39,130 | $18.81 |
| Skincare Specialist | $39,120 | $18.81 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $32,570 | $15.66 |
| Funeral Attendant | $34,940 | $16.80 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for animal trainers in North Carolina is $37,680 a year, or $18.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of animal trainers in North Carolina earn at least $84,750 a year. The top 25% earn $57,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,680 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $33,700 or less.
How many animal trainers work in North Carolina?
About 640 animal trainers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.