Virginia Median
$62,960
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.27
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+57% vs US median
US median $39,990
State Rank
#1 of 47
720 employed here
How much does an Animal Trainer make in Virginia?
Animal Trainers in Virginia take home a median of $62,960 annually — roughly $30.27 an hour — which runs 57% above the national median of $39,990.
Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $35,270 while the top 10% make $122,170 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,910 and $107,830 a year.
Animal Trainer salary range in Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,270 | $16.96 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $41,910 | $20.15 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $62,960 | $30.27 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $107,830 | $51.84 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,170 | $58.74 |
|
How Virginia compares
Virginia ranks 1st out of 47 states and territories for Animal Trainer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Animal Trainer salary in other states
Alabama $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 $30,820South Carolina $29,670
Working as an Animal Trainer in Virginia
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 Virginia pay ($62,960) 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 Virginia?
The median Animal Trainer salary in Virginia is $62,960 per year, or about $30.27 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,270 at the entry level to $122,170 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Animal Trainers about 57% more than the national median of $39,990. Virginia ranks 1st out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Animal Trainers?
Yes on pay — Virginia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $62,960 a year. About 720 Animal Trainers are employed in Virginia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.