South Dakota Median
$38,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.33
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $39,990
State Rank
#25 of 47
30 employed here
How much does an Animal Trainer make in South Dakota?
Animal Trainers in South Dakota take home a median of $38,120 annually — roughly $18.33 an hour — which runs 5% below the national median of $39,990.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $30,530 while the top 10% make $44,780 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,080 and $42,210 a year.
Animal Trainer salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,530 | $14.68 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $31,080 | $14.94 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,120 | $18.33 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $42,210 | $20.29 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,780 | $21.53 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 25th 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 $38,200New 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 South Dakota
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 Dakota pay ($38,120) 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 Dakota?
The median Animal Trainer salary in South Dakota is $38,120 per year, or about $18.33 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $30,530 at the entry level to $44,780 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Animal Trainers about 5% less than the national median of $39,990. South Dakota ranks 25th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Animal Trainers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $38,120 a year. About 30 Animal Trainers are employed in South Dakota. 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 Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), 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.