Animal Trainer salary in Richmond, VA
Animal Trainers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $46,820 a year ($22.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,020 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $39,990. Pay here is 26% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $62,960. There are 0.16 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,690 | $16.68 |
| 25th percentile | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| Median | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| 75th percentile | $102,000 | $49.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,020 | $49.05 |
| Average (mean) | $60,200 | $28.94 |
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 | $3,901.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,950.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,800.77 |
| Weekly | $900.38 |
| Hourly | $22.51 |
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 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $50,460 | 650 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $33,710 | $16.21 |
| Childcare Worker | $33,570 | $16.14 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $39,110 | $18.80 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $29,250 | $14.06 |
| Recreation Worker | $34,700 | $16.68 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $28,860 | $13.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $46,960 | $22.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $50,060 | $24.07 |
| Residential Advisor | $39,770 | $19.12 |
| Skincare Specialist | $35,370 | $17.01 |
| Concierge | $35,470 | $17.05 |
| Funeral Attendant | $35,030 | $16.84 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $37,350 | $17.96 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for animal trainers in the Richmond, VA metro area is $46,820 a year, or $22.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of animal trainers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $102,020 a year. The top 25% earn $102,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,690 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $38,130 or less.
How many animal trainers work in Richmond, VA?
About 110 animal trainers are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.