Washington Median
$46,420
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.32
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+16% vs US median
US median $39,990
State Rank
#7 of 47
360 employed here
How much does an Animal Trainer make in Washington?
Animal Trainers in Washington take home a median of $46,420 annually — roughly $22.32 an hour — which runs 16% above the national median of $39,990.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $37,490 while the top 10% make $58,780 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $40,540 and $52,660 a year.
Animal Trainer salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,490 | $18.02 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $40,540 | $19.49 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,420 | $22.32 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $52,660 | $25.32 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,780 | $28.26 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 7th 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 $46,690Illinois $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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($46,420) 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 Washington?
The median Animal Trainer salary in Washington is $46,420 per year, or about $22.32 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,490 at the entry level to $58,780 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Animal Trainers about 16% more than the national median of $39,990. Washington ranks 7th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Animal Trainers?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $46,420 a year. About 360 Animal Trainers are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.