Animal Trainer salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Animal Trainers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median of $54,810 a year ($26.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,550 for the top 10%. That is 37% higher than the national median of $39,990. Pay here is 12% higher than the California statewide median of $49,060. There are 0.07 animal trainers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $57,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal trainers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,440 | $20.89 |
| 25th percentile | $43,440 | $20.89 |
| Median | $54,810 | $26.35 |
| 75th percentile | $59,680 | $28.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Average (mean) | $57,670 | $27.73 |
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 | $4,567.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,283.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,108.08 |
| Weekly | $1,054.04 |
| Hourly | $26.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $54,810 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $64,430 | n/a |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $61,490 | 300 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $58,160 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $51,230 | 830 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $50,420 | 70 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $49,150 | 230 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $44,170 | 110 |
| Fresno, CA | $43,620 | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $43,070 | 200 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $41,770 | 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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $44,070 | $21.19 |
| Childcare Worker | $45,720 | $21.98 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $42,850 | $20.60 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $62,010 | $29.81 |
| Recreation Worker | $57,580 | $27.68 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $43,070 | $20.71 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $43,410 | $20.87 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $44,760 | $21.52 |
| Gambling Dealer | $52,060 | $25.03 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $59,330 | $28.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $57,040 | $27.43 |
| Skincare Specialist | $43,420 | $20.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $64,490 | $31.01 |
| Residential Advisor | $55,800 | $26.83 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median salary for animal trainers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $54,810 a year, or $26.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal trainers make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The top 10% of animal trainers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn at least $79,550 a year. The top 25% earn $59,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal trainers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,440 a year, and a quarter of animal trainers earn $43,440 or less.
How many animal trainers work in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
About 80 animal trainers are employed in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.