Salary and Outlook
According to the US Department of Labor, there are 52,900 people employed as animal trainers in
the United States.
The median annual salary is $31,280.
Entry level employees earn approximately $23,160 per year and senior employees earn approximately $58,790
per year.
Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.
Job Duties
- Train horses or other equines for riding, harness, show, racing, or other work, using knowledge of breed characteristics, training methods, performance standards, and the peculiarities of each animal.
- Use oral, spur, rein, or hand commands to condition horses to carry riders or to pull horse-drawn equipment.
- Retrain horses to break bad habits, such as kicking, bolting, or resisting bridling or grooming.
- Train dogs in human assistance or property protection duties.
- Train dogs to work as guides for the visually impaired.
- Place tack or harnesses on horses to accustom horses to the feel of equipment.
- Train and rehearse animals, according to scripts, for motion picture, television, film, stage, or circus performances.
- Organize or conduct animal shows.
- Instruct jockeys in handling specific horses during races.
- Cue or signal animals during performances.
- Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact.
- Conduct training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes.
- Feed or exercise animals or provide other general care, such as cleaning or maintaining holding or performance areas.
- Observe animals' physical conditions to detect illness or unhealthy conditions requiring medical care.
- Evaluate animals to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training.
- Administer prescribed medications to animals.
- Keep records documenting animal health, diet, or behavior.
- Evaluate animals for trainability and ability to perform.
- Advise animal owners regarding the purchase of specific animals.