Animal Trainer salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Animal Trainers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $55,560 a year ($26.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,750 for the top 10%. That is 39% higher than the national median of $39,990. Pay here is 47% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $37,680. There are 0.22 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,030 | $15.40 |
| 25th percentile | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Median | $55,560 | $26.71 |
| 75th percentile | $84,750 | $40.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,750 | $40.75 |
| Average (mean) | $58,310 | $28.04 |
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 | $4,630 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,315 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,136.92 |
| Weekly | $1,068.46 |
| Hourly | $26.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Animal Trainer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $99,190 | n/a |
| 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 |
See Animal Trainer pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $32,400 | $15.58 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $48,800 | $23.46 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $29,390 | $14.13 |
| Childcare Worker | $28,680 | $13.79 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $43,700 | $21.01 |
| Recreation Worker | $30,160 | $14.50 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $27,940 | $13.43 |
| Skincare Specialist | $42,950 | $20.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $49,900 | $23.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $45,290 | $21.77 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,310 | $17.46 |
| Residential Advisor | $39,340 | $18.92 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $33,210 | $15.97 |
| Concierge | $34,180 | $16.43 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for animal trainers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $55,560 a year, or $26.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of animal trainers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $84,750 a year. The top 25% earn $84,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,030 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $37,440 or less.
How many animal trainers work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 160 animal trainers are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.