Animal Trainer salary in Wisconsin
Animal Trainers in Wisconsin earn a median of $37,140 a year ($17.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,810 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $39,990. Wisconsin ranks 29th of 47 states for animal trainers pay. 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 $41,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,420 | $14.14 |
| 25th percentile | $31,440 | $15.12 |
| Median | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| 75th percentile | $49,530 | $23.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,810 | $30.20 |
| Average (mean) | $41,790 | $20.09 |
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 | $3,095 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,547.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,428.46 |
| Weekly | $714.23 |
| Hourly | $17.86 |
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 Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $41,830 | 270 |
| Madison, WI | $41,130 | 70 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $40,520 | 190 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $35,320 | 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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $30,160 | $14.50 |
| Recreation Worker | $35,530 | $17.08 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,230 | $17.42 |
| Childcare Worker | $32,460 | $15.61 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $30,180 | $14.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $46,350 | $22.28 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $28,780 | $13.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $49,100 | $23.61 |
| Residential Advisor | $41,690 | $20.04 |
| Skincare Specialist | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $30,160 | $14.50 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $33,280 | $16.00 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for animal trainers in Wisconsin is $37,140 a year, or $17.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of animal trainers in Wisconsin earn at least $62,810 a year. The top 25% earn $49,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,420 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $31,440 or less.
How many animal trainers work in Wisconsin?
About 480 animal trainers are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.