Personal Care & Service
Animal Trainers
Also called: Agility Instructor, Dog Obedience Instructor, Dog Trainer, Guide Dog Instructor
US median pay
$39,990
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+4.2%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
6,500
47,800 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or for assisting persons with disabilities. Accustom animals to human voice and contact, and condition animals to respond to commands. Train animals according to prescribed standards for show or competition. May train animals to carry pack loads or work as part of pack team.
What they do day to day
- 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.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Instructing3.8/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Service Orientation3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
- Systems Evaluation2.9/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
- Education and Training3.6/5
- Psychology3.2/5
- Administration and Management3.1/5
- English Language3.1/5
- Sales and Marketing2.8/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma44%
- Less than high school23%
- Some college17%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.