Animal Trainer salary in Bellingham, WA
Animal Trainers in the Bellingham, WA metro area earn a median of $40,540 a year ($19.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,900 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $39,990. Pay here is 13% lower than the Washington statewide median of $46,420. There are 0.34 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in Bellingham, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,940 | $18.72 |
| 25th percentile | $38,940 | $18.72 |
| Median | $40,540 | $19.49 |
| 75th percentile | $49,150 | $23.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,900 | $26.88 |
| Average (mean) | $44,410 | $21.35 |
Half of animal trainers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,378.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,689.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,559.23 |
| Weekly | $779.62 |
| Hourly | $19.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $40,540 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Animal Trainer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $66,040 | 110 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $50,260 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for animal trainers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia | $62,960 |
| Alabama | $55,700 |
| Oregon | $55,520 |
| California | $49,060 |
| New York | $48,790 |
| New Jersey | $46,690 |
| Washington | $46,420 |
| Illinois | $45,830 |
| Connecticut | $45,800 |
| Indiana | $45,270 |
See Animal Trainer pay in every state or the Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bellingham, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $50,200 | $24.14 |
| Recreation Worker | $44,640 | $21.46 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $35,510 | $17.07 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Childcare Worker | $38,820 | $18.66 |
| Gambling Dealer | $37,410 | $17.98 |
| Skincare Specialist | $64,830 | $31.17 |
| Residential Advisor | $48,620 | $23.38 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $36,180 | $17.40 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $61,990 | $29.80 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Bellingham, WA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a animal trainer make in Bellingham, WA?
The median salary for animal trainers in the Bellingham, WA metro area is $40,540 a year, or $19.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in Bellingham, WA?
The top 10% of animal trainers in the Bellingham, WA metro area earn at least $55,900 a year. The top 25% earn $49,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in Bellingham, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,940 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $38,940 or less.
How many animal trainers work in Bellingham, WA?
About 30 animal trainers are employed in the Bellingham, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.