Animal Trainer Salary in Arkansas (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Animal Trainers in Arkansas, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Arkansas Median
$39,400
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.94
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $39,990
State Rank
#20 of 47
110 employed here

How much does an Animal Trainer make in Arkansas?

Animal Trainers in Arkansas take home a median of $39,400 annually — roughly $18.94 an hour — which runs 1% below the national median of $39,990.

Within Arkansas, entry-level pay starts around $31,280 while the top 10% make $59,260 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,300 and $54,030 a year.

Animal Trainer salary range in Arkansas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,280$15.04
25th percentile (early career)$34,300$16.49
50th percentile (median)$39,400$18.94
75th percentile (experienced)$54,030$25.98
90th percentile (top earners)$59,260$28.49

How Arkansas compares

Arkansas ranks 20th out of 47 states and territories for Animal Trainer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Virginia$62,960
2Alabama$55,700
3Oregon$55,520
4California$49,060
5New York$48,790

Working as an Animal Trainer in Arkansas

Nationally, about 19,000 people work as Animal Trainers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Arkansas pay ($39,400) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Animal Trainer make in Arkansas?
The median Animal Trainer salary in Arkansas is $39,400 per year, or about $18.94 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,280 at the entry level to $59,260 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arkansas pay compare to the national average?
Arkansas pays Animal Trainers about 1% less than the national median of $39,990. Arkansas ranks 20th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arkansas a good state for Animal Trainers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $39,400 a year. About 110 Animal Trainers are employed in Arkansas. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Arkansas?
The highest-paying occupations in Arkansas include Dermatologist ($422,060), Neurologist ($317,880), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($262,470), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Animal Trainer salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.