How much does an animal trainer make in California?
$49,060a year
Median yearly pay for animal trainers in California. That is $23.59 an hour or $4,088 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.59
- Vs. national median
- +23%
- Rank among states
- 4 of 47
- Jobs in the state
- 2,270
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $37,300Median: $49,060Highest 10%: $78,770
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,300 | $17.93 | |
| 25th | $39,730 | $19.10 | |
| Median | $49,060 | $23.59 | |
| 75th | $64,280 | $30.90 | |
| 90th | $78,770 | $37.87 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Santa Maria, CA | $64,430 |
| San Francisco, CA | $61,490 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $58,160 |
| San Jose, CA | $54,810 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $51,230 |
| Oxnard, CA | $50,420 |
| San Diego, CA | $49,150 |
| Sacramento, CA | $44,170 |
| Fresno, CA | $43,620 |
| Riverside, CA | $43,070 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $41,770 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for animal trainers.
| 1. Virginia | $62,960 |
| 2. Alabama | $55,700 |
| 3. Oregon | $55,520 |
| 4. California | $49,060 |
| 5. New York | $48,790 |
| 6. New Jersey | $46,690 |
| 7. Washington | $46,420 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an animal trainer make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $23.59 ($49,060 a year).
Do animal trainers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $49,060 against $39,990 nationally, 23% more.
Where does California rank for animal trainer pay?
California ranks 4 of 47 states.
Which city in California pays animal trainers the most?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA, with a median of $64,430 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.