Animal Trainer salary in Virginia
Animal Trainers in Virginia earn a median of $62,960 a year ($30.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 720 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,170 for the top 10%. That is 57% higher than the national median of $39,990. Virginia ranks 1st of 47 states for animal trainers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.17 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $74,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,270 | $16.96 |
| 25th percentile | $41,910 | $20.15 |
| Median | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| 75th percentile | $107,830 | $51.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,170 | $58.74 |
| Average (mean) | $74,870 | $35.99 |
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 | $5,246.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,623.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,421.54 |
| Weekly | $1,210.77 |
| Hourly | $30.27 |
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 Virginia
| 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 |
| Richmond, VA | $46,820 | 110 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Childcare Worker | $34,330 | $16.51 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $40,820 | $19.63 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $30,910 | $14.86 |
| Recreation Worker | $36,120 | $17.36 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,630 | $17.61 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $28,580 | $13.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $48,990 | $23.55 |
| Residential Advisor | $42,890 | $20.62 |
| Concierge | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Skincare Specialist | $39,350 | $18.92 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| Funeral Attendant | $35,010 | $16.83 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for animal trainers in Virginia is $62,960 a year, or $30.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of animal trainers in Virginia earn at least $122,170 a year. The top 25% earn $107,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,270 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $41,910 or less.
How many animal trainers work in Virginia?
About 720 animal trainers are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.