North Carolina Median
$37,680
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.12
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $39,990
State Rank
#27 of 47
640 employed here
How much does an Animal Trainer make in North Carolina?
Animal Trainers in North Carolina take home a median of $37,680 annually — roughly $18.12 an hour — which runs 6% below the national median of $39,990.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $24,680 while the top 10% make $84,750 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $33,700 and $57,860 a year.
Animal Trainer salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,680 | $11.87 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $33,700 | $16.20 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $37,680 | $18.12 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $57,860 | $27.82 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,750 | $40.75 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 27th 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 $38,030Maryland $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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($37,680) 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 North Carolina?
The median Animal Trainer salary in North Carolina is $37,680 per year, or about $18.12 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $24,680 at the entry level to $84,750 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Animal Trainers about 6% less than the national median of $39,990. North Carolina ranks 27th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Animal Trainers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $37,680 a year. About 640 Animal Trainers are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.