Animal Trainer salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Animal Trainers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $40,520 a year ($19.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,530 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $39,990. Pay here is 9% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $37,140. There are 0.23 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,390 | $14.61 |
| 25th percentile | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| Median | $40,520 | $19.48 |
| 75th percentile | $49,530 | $23.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,530 | $23.81 |
| Average (mean) | $42,110 | $20.25 |
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 | $3,376.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,688.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,558.46 |
| Weekly | $779.23 |
| Hourly | $19.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $40,520 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $41,830 | 270 |
| Madison, WI | $41,130 | 70 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $35,320 | 30 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $30,270 | $14.55 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $46,190 | $22.21 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $38,190 | $18.36 |
| Childcare Worker | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| Recreation Worker | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $28,280 | $13.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $46,700 | $22.45 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $28,440 | $13.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $49,930 | $24.00 |
| Residential Advisor | $41,300 | $19.86 |
| Skincare Specialist | $44,270 | $21.29 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $30,160 | $14.50 |
| Barber | $35,370 | $17.00 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for animal trainers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $40,520 a year, or $19.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of animal trainers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $49,530 a year. The top 25% earn $49,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,390 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $35,090 or less.
How many animal trainers work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 190 animal trainers are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.