Animal Trainer salary in Washington
Animal Trainers in Washington earn a median of $46,420 a year ($22.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,780 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $39,990. Washington ranks 7th of 47 states for animal trainers pay. There are 0.10 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,490 | $18.02 |
| 25th percentile | $40,540 | $19.49 |
| Median | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| 75th percentile | $52,660 | $25.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,780 | $28.26 |
| Average (mean) | $48,960 | $23.54 |
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 | $3,868.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,934.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,785.38 |
| Weekly | $892.69 |
| Hourly | $22.32 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $66,040 | 110 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $50,260 | 170 |
| Bellingham, WA | $40,540 | 30 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $40,570 | $19.51 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $59,510 | $28.61 |
| Recreation Worker | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $49,900 | $23.99 |
| Gambling Dealer | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| Childcare Worker | $41,680 | $20.04 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $41,010 | $19.71 |
| Skincare Specialist | $79,320 | $38.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $62,900 | $30.24 |
| Residential Advisor | $48,640 | $23.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $54,160 | $26.04 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for animal trainers in Washington is $46,420 a year, or $22.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in Washington?
The top 10% of animal trainers in Washington earn at least $58,780 a year. The top 25% earn $52,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,490 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $40,540 or less.
How many animal trainers work in Washington?
About 360 animal trainers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.