Animal Trainer salary in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
Animal Trainers in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area earn a median of $35,990 a year ($17.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,670 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $39,990. Pay here is 1% lower than the Texas statewide median of $36,370. There are 0.08 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $40,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,400 | $13.65 |
| 25th percentile | $30,910 | $14.86 |
| Median | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| 75th percentile | $43,630 | $20.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,670 | $27.24 |
| Average (mean) | $40,300 | $19.37 |
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 | $2,999.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,499.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,384.23 |
| Weekly | $692.12 |
| Hourly | $17.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,990 salary, see how much house you can afford in Texas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $38,420 | 140 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $36,390 | 240 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $35,740 | 90 |
| El Paso, TX | $32,590 | 40 |
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 Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $34,310 | $16.49 |
| Childcare Worker | $31,110 | $14.96 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $28,080 | $13.50 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Recreation Worker | $32,720 | $15.73 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $27,230 | $13.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| Skincare Specialist | $54,290 | $26.10 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $33,800 | $16.25 |
| Concierge | $38,140 | $18.34 |
| Barber | $33,000 | $15.86 |
| Residential Advisor | $38,470 | $18.49 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
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 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?
The median salary for animal trainers in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area is $35,990 a year, or $17.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?
The top 10% of animal trainers in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area earn at least $56,670 a year. The top 25% earn $43,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,400 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $30,910 or less.
How many animal trainers work in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?
About 340 animal trainers are employed in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.