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Occupation · SOC 39-2011

Animal Trainers

There are 18,770 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $39,990 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Personal Care & ServiceTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
18,770
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$39,990
Median pay a year
Middle half: $33,740–$53,580
6,500
Annual openings
10-year change: +4.2%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 85 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $50,020 · LCA filings 0970$50,0200
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $51,230 · LCA filings 0830$51,2300
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $46,810 · LCA filings 0680$46,8100
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $50,460 · LCA filings 0650$50,4600
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $46,890 · LCA filings 0580$46,8900
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $42,180 · LCA filings 0500$42,1800
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDMedian pay $34,620 · LCA filings 0460$34,6200
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $30,920 · LCA filings 0450$30,9200
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $35,990 · LCA filings 0340$35,9900
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $42,860 · LCA filings 0310$42,8600

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAEmployment 110 · LCA filings 0$66,0401100
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 300 · LCA filings 0$61,4903000
Bridgeport–Stamford–Danbury, CTEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$59,710600
Santa Rosa–Petaluma, CAEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$58,160600
Colorado Springs, COEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$58,090400

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $49,150 · Level III $58,302 · Level IV $67,475$39,978$49,150$58,302$67,475
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $47,528 · Level III $56,222 · Level IV $64,938$38,813$47,528$56,222$64,938
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $43,701 · Level III $53,186 · Level IV $62,670$34,216$43,701$53,186$62,670
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $51,938 · Level III $68,661 · Level IV $85,405$35,194$51,938$68,661$85,405
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $41,912 · Level III $50,170 · Level IV $58,448$33,634$41,912$50,170$58,448
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $40,664 · Level III $48,526 · Level IV $56,410$32,781$40,664$48,526$56,410
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDLevel II $37,565 · Level III $43,846 · Level IV $50,149$31,262$37,565$43,846$50,149
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $30,763 · Level III $33,384 · Level IV $36,005$28,142$30,763$33,384$36,005
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $34,362 · Level III $40,248 · Level IV $46,114$28,496$34,362$40,248$46,114
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $41,330 · Level III $48,734 · Level IV $56,139$33,925$41,330$48,734$56,139

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Agricultural and Domestic Animal ServicesCIP 01.05OPT · up to 12 months10OPT · up to 12 months

See Animal Trainers in every metro area

All 85 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Personal Care & Service

Childcare WorkersAmusement and Recreation AttendantsHairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsExercise Trainers and Group Fitness InstructorsRecreation WorkersAnimal CaretakersUshers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket TakersManicurists and Pedicurists

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology