Animal Trainer salary in Wilmington, NC
Animal Trainers in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $37,080 a year ($17.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,050 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $39,990. Pay here is 2% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $37,680. There are 0.24 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $40,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,250 | $11.18 |
| 25th percentile | $31,440 | $15.12 |
| Median | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| 75th percentile | $44,770 | $21.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Average (mean) | $40,790 | $19.61 |
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 | $3,090 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,545 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,426.15 |
| Weekly | $713.08 |
| Hourly | $17.83 |
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 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $55,560 | 160 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $39,560 | 40 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $29,520 | $14.19 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $21,830 | $10.50 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Childcare Worker | $29,040 | $13.96 |
| Recreation Worker | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $45,410 | $21.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $48,990 | $23.56 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,320 | $18.42 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $32,600 | $15.67 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $29,520 | $14.19 |
| Residential Advisor | $37,700 | $18.13 |
| Funeral Attendant | $28,650 | $13.78 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for animal trainers in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $37,080 a year, or $17.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of animal trainers in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $45,050 a year. The top 25% earn $44,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,250 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $31,440 or less.
How many animal trainers work in Wilmington, NC?
About 50 animal trainers are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.