Animal Trainer salary in Pennsylvania
Animal Trainers in Pennsylvania earn a median of $38,920 a year ($18.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,670 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $39,990. Pennsylvania ranks 22nd of 47 states for animal trainers pay. There are 0.08 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $42,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,410 | $15.10 |
| 25th percentile | $33,560 | $16.14 |
| Median | $38,920 | $18.71 |
| 75th percentile | $52,080 | $25.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| Average (mean) | $42,030 | $20.21 |
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 | $3,243.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,621.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,496.92 |
| Weekly | $748.46 |
| Hourly | $18.71 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $42,860 | 310 |
| Lancaster, PA | $39,540 | 40 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $39,450 | 30 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $35,940 | 60 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $31,360 | $15.08 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,790 | $17.69 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $28,090 | $13.51 |
| Childcare Worker | $30,140 | $14.49 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $45,250 | $21.75 |
| Recreation Worker | $35,710 | $17.17 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $27,990 | $13.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Residential Advisor | $40,010 | $19.24 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $29,130 | $14.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Gambling Dealer | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| Skincare Specialist | $43,620 | $20.97 |
| Concierge | $39,560 | $19.02 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for animal trainers in Pennsylvania is $38,920 a year, or $18.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of animal trainers in Pennsylvania earn at least $58,670 a year. The top 25% earn $52,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,410 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $33,560 or less.
How many animal trainers work in Pennsylvania?
About 460 animal trainers are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.