South Carolina Median
$29,670
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.26
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-26% vs US median
US median $39,990
State Rank
#47 of 47
200 employed here
How much does an Animal Trainer make in South Carolina?
Animal Trainers in South Carolina take home a median of $29,670 annually — roughly $14.26 an hour — which runs 26% below the national median of $39,990.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $27,040 while the top 10% make $43,280 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,840 and $35,630 a year.
Animal Trainer salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,040 | $13.00 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $28,840 | $13.87 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $29,670 | $14.26 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $35,630 | $17.13 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,280 | $20.81 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 47th 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 $34,030Missouri $34,010Delaware $33,810Arizona $33,330Louisiana $32,720Ohio $32,700Michigan $30,820
Working as an Animal Trainer in South 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 South Carolina pay ($29,670) 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 South Carolina?
The median Animal Trainer salary in South Carolina is $29,670 per year, or about $14.26 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,040 at the entry level to $43,280 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Animal Trainers about 26% less than the national median of $39,990. South Carolina ranks 47th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Animal Trainers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $29,670 a year. About 200 Animal Trainers are employed in South 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 South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), 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.