District of Columbia Median
$38,200
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.37
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $39,990
State Rank
#24 of 47
state estimate
How much does an Animal Trainer make in District of Columbia?
An Animal Trainer working in District of Columbia earns a median salary of $38,200 per year, or about $18.37 per hour. That is 4% below the national median of $39,990 for this occupation.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $38,200 while the top 10% make $66,440 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,200 and $39,230 a year.
Animal Trainer salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,200 | $18.37 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,200 | $18.37 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,200 | $18.37 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $39,230 | $18.86 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,440 | $31.94 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 24th out of 47 states and territories for Animal Trainer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Animal Trainer salary in other states
Virginia $62,960Alabama $55,700Oregon $55,520California $49,060New York $48,790New Jersey $46,690Washington $46,420Illinois $45,830Connecticut $45,800Indiana $45,270Georgia $45,250Montana $44,680Colorado $44,290Massachusetts $43,580Iowa $43,020Minnesota $41,690Idaho $40,770Maine $40,760Oklahoma $40,310Arkansas $39,400North Dakota $38,970Pennsylvania $38,920Utah $38,580South Dakota $38,120New Hampshire $38,030North Carolina $37,680Maryland $37,430Wisconsin $37,140West Virginia $37,080Florida $36,870Nevada $36,760Texas $36,370Tennessee $35,320Mississippi $35,130Alaska $34,900Nebraska $34,900New Mexico $34,760Kansas $34,720Kentucky $34,030Missouri $34,010Delaware $33,810Arizona $33,330Louisiana $32,720Ohio $32,700Michigan $30,820South Carolina $29,670
Working as an Animal Trainer in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia pay ($38,200) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Animal Trainer salary in District of Columbia is $38,200 per year, or about $18.37 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,200 at the entry level to $66,440 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Animal Trainers about 4% less than the national median of $39,990. District of Columbia ranks 24th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Animal Trainers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $38,200 a year. 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 District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Animal Trainer salary report
Related salaries
$45,330
median pay · 73,000 employed
$38,270
median pay · 1,000 employed
$34,320
median pay · 84,000 employed
$42,240
median pay · 85,000 employed
$32,600
median pay · 8,000 employed
$55,010
median pay · 25,000 employed
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.