Tennessee Median
$35,320
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.98
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-12% vs US median
US median $39,990
State Rank
#34 of 47
310 employed here
How much does an Animal Trainer make in Tennessee?
Animal Trainers in Tennessee take home a median of $35,320 annually — roughly $16.98 an hour — which runs 12% below the national median of $39,990.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $27,650 while the top 10% make $56,450 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,580 and $43,300 a year.
Animal Trainer salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,650 | $13.29 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $29,580 | $14.22 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,320 | $16.98 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $43,300 | $20.82 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,450 | $27.14 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 34th 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 $36,370Mississippi $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 Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($35,320) 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 Tennessee?
The median Animal Trainer salary in Tennessee is $35,320 per year, or about $16.98 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,650 at the entry level to $56,450 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Animal Trainers about 12% less than the national median of $39,990. Tennessee ranks 34th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Animal Trainers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $35,320 a year. About 310 Animal Trainers are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.