Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or for assisting persons with disabilities. Accustom animals to human voice and contact, and condition animals to respond to commands. Train animals according to prescribed standards for show or competition. May train animals to carry pack loads or work as part of pack team.
Animal Trainers
SOC: 39-2011 O*NET: 39-2011.00
Median Salary
$38,750
per year
Job Growth
📈 5.1%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
7.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or for assisting persons with disabilities. Accustom animals to human voice and contact, and condition animals to respond to commands. Train animals according to prescribed standards for show or competition. May train animals to carry pack loads or work as part of pack team.
What does a Animal Trainers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$29,120
10th percentile
Early Career
$32,870
25th percentile
Median
$38,750
50th percentile
Experienced
$48,900
75th percentile
Top Earners
$70,800
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$29,120
25th
$32,870
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$38,750
Mean: $45,780
75th
$48,900
90th
$70,800
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $41,680 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $32,870 and $48,900
- •Salary spread is 41.4% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 20,110 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:47,300
Top Industries
Other Services (except Public Administration)48.5%
Personal and Laundry Services45.4%
Other Personal Services45.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5.1%
Annual Openings:7,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)47,300
Current
2034 (Projected)49,800
+5.1%
+2,400
Employment Change
+5.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Animal Trainers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 48 locations
California
2,470 jobs$46,7801.05x
Florida
1,570 jobs$36,1901.22x
New York
1,320 jobs$45,4701.06x
Ohio
970 jobs$32,9601.35x
Georgia
790 jobs$38,1301.25x
Texas
790 jobs$33,2900.44x
North Carolina
740 jobs$40,8601.16x
Arizona
710 jobs$32,2301.70x
Pennsylvania
630 jobs$41,6000.81x
Virginia
620 jobs$01.17x
Maryland
600 jobs$46,3901.68x
Missouri
600 jobs$30,7001.57x
Michigan
590 jobs$34,1001.03x
Washington
570 jobs$42,8101.23x
Indiana
560 jobs$38,5301.34x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Instructing
100%
#2
Learning Strategies
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Active Learning
74%
#6
Monitoring
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Active Listening
54%
#9
Social Perceptiveness
46%
#10
Service Orientation
40%
Skills Overview
Instructing
advanced5.0
100%
Learning Strategies
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Learning
intermediate3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Listening
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Instructing
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Learning Strategies
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Athletic Trainers82%
5 shared skills
Training and Development Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Acupuncturists67%
5 shared skills
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors67%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary67%
5 shared skills
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Instructing
- ✓Learning Strategies
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Active Listening
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Instructing
- ✓Learning Strategies
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Learning Strategies
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Active Learning
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Animal Trainers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Oracle Database
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechOracle PeopleSoft
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechEpic Systems
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechAtlassian JIRA
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Project
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Oracle Database
Microsoft Outlook
Oracle PeopleSoft
SAP software
Epic Systems
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Atlassian JIRA
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Excel
Facebook
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🌤️
Location
MOSTLY OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
15
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (6)Operations & Execution (2)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Training & Development (2)Planning & Development (1)
1
Observe animals' physical conditions to detect illness or unhealthy conditions requiring medical care.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Cue or signal animals during performances.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution97% perform98%
3
Administer prescribed medications to animals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Evaluate animals to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation91% perform94%
5
Feed or exercise animals or provide other general care, such as cleaning or maintaining holding or performance areas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Keep records documenting animal health, diet, or behavior.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Advise animal owners regarding the purchase of specific animals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Train horses or other equines for riding, harness, show, racing, or other work, using knowledge of breed characteristics, training methods, performance standards, and the peculiarities of each animal.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution76% perform84%
10
Use oral, spur, rein, or hand commands to condition horses to carry riders or to pull horse-drawn equipment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •47% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Animal Trainers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Animal Trainers professionals typically have a RSC Holland code and highly value independence
RRealistic
SSocial
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Animal Trainers
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.55
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.39
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.27
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.18
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.16
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.13
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Integrity
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.3
Self-Control
4.2
Independence
4.2
Cooperation
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Innovation
3.8
Persistence
3.8
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
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