Missouri Median
$34,010
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.35
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-15% vs US median
US median $39,990
State Rank
#41 of 47
250 employed here
How much does an Animal Trainer make in Missouri?
Animal Trainers in Missouri take home a median of $34,010 annually — roughly $16.35 an hour — which runs 15% below the national median of $39,990.
Within Missouri, entry-level pay starts around $30,390 while the top 10% make $53,580 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,060 and $40,110 a year.
Animal Trainer salary range in Missouri
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,390 | $14.61 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $32,060 | $15.41 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $34,010 | $16.35 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $40,110 | $19.28 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,580 | $25.76 |
|
How Missouri compares
Missouri ranks 41st 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 $38,580District of Columbia $38,200South 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 $34,030Delaware $33,810Arizona $33,330Louisiana $32,720Ohio $32,700Michigan $30,820South Carolina $29,670
Working as an Animal Trainer in Missouri
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 Missouri pay ($34,010) 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 Missouri?
The median Animal Trainer salary in Missouri is $34,010 per year, or about $16.35 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $30,390 at the entry level to $53,580 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Missouri pay compare to the national average?
Missouri pays Animal Trainers about 15% less than the national median of $39,990. Missouri ranks 41st out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Missouri a good state for Animal Trainers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $34,010 a year. About 250 Animal Trainers are employed in Missouri. 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 Missouri?
The highest-paying occupations in Missouri include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($842,800), Cardiologist ($648,070), Emergency Medicine Physician ($456,280), 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.