Animal Trainers
Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or for assisting persons with disabilities.
About the profession
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.
How to Get Started
Take a personality test to see if Animal Trainers fits your profile
Career Match Test →Explore the Career Path section to see progression from junior to senior
Jump to Career Path →Start learning — check the Learning Path for free courses
Jump to Learning Path →Career Path
Your career progression roadmap with salary growth at each level
Career Ladder
Trainee Animal Trainer → Technician Animal Trainer → Senior Technician Animal Trainer → Lead Technician Animal Trainer
Where are you on this career path?
Click a level below to set your current position
Salary Growth
4
Levels
65K
Top Salary
8+
Years
Learning Path
Skills you need to develop and courses to get there
🚀
Set your current level first
Go to the Career Path tab and select your current level to see your personalized learning plan.
Go to Career PathCareer levels
Timeline: 0-2 | Entry Level Base: $28,960 - $38,050/year With equity/bonuses: $31,856 - $45,660 Top markets (SF/NYC): $33,304 - $45,660 Execute core tasks using Instructing under…
Day in Life
Junior vs Senior — daily schedule breakdown
9am — Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact. 10am — Observe animals' physical conditions to detect illness or unhealthy conditions…
Income Dynamics
Conservative and aggressive scenarios for 10–15 years
Year 1: Entry level $20,272 - $34,245 Year 2-3: Junior level $38,050 - $44,783 Year 4-6: Mid level $44,783 - $48,554 Year 7-10: Senior level $48,554 - $59,042 Year 10+:…
Is this for me?
15 questions — answer honestly
You find the craft of a Animal Trainer genuinely interesting, not just a paycheck You enjoy working with Instructing and Speaking You communicate clearly with diverse stakeholders…
💰 Salary Range
US dataSign up to see salary data
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