Highest-paying states for animal trainers

Virginia leads at $62,960 a year. Pay is not adjusted for local prices; see each page for the cost-of-living view.

Place	Median	25th–75th
Virginia	$62,960	$41,910–$107,830
Alabama	$55,700	$43,600–$65,930
Oregon	$55,520	$47,840–$66,040
California	$49,060	$39,730–$64,280
New York	$48,790	$40,100–$62,050
New Jersey	$46,690	$39,850–$75,470
Washington	$46,420	$40,540–$52,660
Illinois	$45,830	$34,700–$59,810
Connecticut	$45,800	$37,260–$61,510
Indiana	$45,270	$36,910–$82,680
Georgia	$45,250	$36,150–$73,840
Montana	$44,680	$36,010–$50,840
Colorado	$44,290	$39,530–$46,760
Massachusetts	$43,580	$33,670–$57,160
Iowa	$43,020	$34,600–$64,580
Minnesota	$41,690	$35,370–$57,240
Idaho	$40,770	$33,220–$42,870
Maine	$40,760	$38,480–$40,760
Oklahoma	$40,310	$31,160–$50,600
Arkansas	$39,400	$34,300–$54,030
North Dakota	$38,970	$35,180–$39,430
Pennsylvania	$38,920	$33,560–$52,080
Utah	$38,580	$31,890–$45,290
South Dakota	$38,120	$31,080–$42,210
New Hampshire	$38,030	$32,150–$43,620
North Carolina	$37,680	$33,700–$57,860
Maryland	$37,430	$32,690–$65,090
Wisconsin	$37,140	$31,440–$49,530
West Virginia	$37,080	$33,430–$48,710
Florida	$36,870	$33,320–$44,680
Nevada	$36,760	$26,790–$42,550
Texas	$36,370	$30,920–$44,770
Tennessee	$35,320	$29,580–$43,300
Mississippi	$35,130	$32,910–$53,870
Alaska	$34,900	$34,900–$36,480
Nebraska	$34,900	$34,900–$38,490
New Mexico	$34,760	$31,880–$36,650
Kansas	$34,720	$30,630–$42,770
Kentucky	$34,030	$29,140–$46,730
Missouri	$34,010	$32,060–$40,110
Delaware	$33,810	$32,140–$38,380
Ohio	$32,700	$28,230–$44,790
Michigan	$30,820	$28,970–$35,210
South Carolina	$29,670	$28,840–$35,630

Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025.