Animal Trainer salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Animal Trainers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $35,940 a year ($17.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,750 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $39,990. Pay here is 8% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $38,920. There are 0.05 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $37,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,440 | $15.60 |
| 25th percentile | $33,380 | $16.05 |
| Median | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| 75th percentile | $39,670 | $19.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,750 | $26.32 |
| Average (mean) | $37,880 | $18.21 |
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 | $2,995 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,497.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,382.31 |
| Weekly | $691.15 |
| Hourly | $17.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $42,860 | 310 |
| Lancaster, PA | $39,540 | 40 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $39,450 | 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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $30,860 | $14.84 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $38,100 | $18.32 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,370 | $13.16 |
| Childcare Worker | $29,840 | $14.35 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $45,950 | $22.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $47,570 | $22.87 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $28,790 | $13.84 |
| Recreation Worker | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $31,670 | $15.23 |
| Residential Advisor | $39,680 | $19.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $45,410 | $21.83 |
| Gambling Dealer | $39,500 | $18.99 |
| Funeral Attendant | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| Concierge | $38,020 | $18.28 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for animal trainers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $35,940 a year, or $17.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of animal trainers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $54,750 a year. The top 25% earn $39,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,440 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $33,380 or less.
How many animal trainers work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 60 animal trainers are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.