West Virginia Median
$37,080
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.83
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $39,990
State Rank
#30 of 47
100 employed here
How much does an Animal Trainer make in West Virginia?
An Animal Trainer working in West Virginia earns a median salary of $37,080 per year, or about $17.83 per hour. That is 7% below the national median of $39,990 for this occupation.
Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $29,510 while the top 10% make $76,750 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $33,430 and $48,710 a year.
Animal Trainer salary range in West Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,510 | $14.19 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $33,430 | $16.07 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $37,080 | $17.83 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $48,710 | $23.42 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,750 | $36.90 |
|
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks 30th 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 $37,140Florida $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 West 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 West Virginia pay ($37,080) 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 West Virginia?
The median Animal Trainer salary in West Virginia is $37,080 per year, or about $17.83 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,510 at the entry level to $76,750 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Animal Trainers about 7% less than the national median of $39,990. West Virginia ranks 30th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Animal Trainers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $37,080 a year. About 100 Animal Trainers are employed in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.