Montana Median
$44,680
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.48
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+12% vs US median
US median $39,990
State Rank
#12 of 47
80 employed here
How much does an Animal Trainer make in Montana?
An Animal Trainer working in Montana earns a median salary of $44,680 per year, or about $21.48 per hour. That is 12% above the national median of $39,990 for this occupation.
Within Montana, entry-level pay starts around $33,060 while the top 10% make $57,860 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,010 and $50,840 a year.
Animal Trainer salary range in Montana
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,060 | $15.89 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,010 | $17.31 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,680 | $21.48 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $50,840 | $24.44 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,860 | $27.82 |
|
How Montana compares
Montana ranks 12th 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 $45,250Colorado $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 $34,030Missouri $34,010Delaware $33,810Arizona $33,330Louisiana $32,720Ohio $32,700Michigan $30,820South Carolina $29,670
Working as an Animal Trainer in Montana
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 Montana pay ($44,680) 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 Montana?
The median Animal Trainer salary in Montana is $44,680 per year, or about $21.48 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $33,060 at the entry level to $57,860 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Montana pay compare to the national average?
Montana pays Animal Trainers about 12% more than the national median of $39,990. Montana ranks 12th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Montana a good state for Animal Trainers?
Yes on pay — Montana pays above the national median for this occupation, at $44,680 a year. About 80 Animal Trainers are employed in Montana. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Montana?
The highest-paying occupations in Montana include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($560,820), Physician, All Other ($438,850), Radiologist ($360,330), 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.