Animal Trainers Salary in Asheville, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Asheville, NC

Median annual salary $36,970 -4.6% vs national
Median hourly $17.78
10th percentile $26,230
90th percentile $82,560
Employed locally 50
National median $38,750

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Animal Trainers
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Asheville, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,230
    25th
    $36,080
    50th (median)
    $36,970
    75th
    $44,830
    90th
    $82,560

    Asheville economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,236 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Trainers salary vs area income 53% Median Animal Trainers salary is 47% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Animal Trainers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $94,390
    Urban Honolulu, HI $72,080
    Hawaii $72,080
    Colorado Springs, CO $64,590
    Birmingham, AL $63,330
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $60,390

    Nearby metros — Animal Trainers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $94,390
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $53,340
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $49,170
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $46,430
    Lancaster, PA $45,300
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $39,190

    Related occupations in Asheville, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Animal Caretakers$28,870
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$49,040
    Childcare Workers$32,730
    Recreation Workers$35,690
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants$26,120
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$36,660

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Trainers make per hour in Asheville?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Trainers in Asheville, NC is $17.78, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.69 or more per hour.

    Is Asheville above or below average for Animal Trainers salaries?

    The median Animal Trainers salary in Asheville, NC is 4.6% below the national median of $38,750. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Animal Trainers in Asheville?

    Entry-level Animal Trainers (10th percentile) earn around $26,230 per year in Asheville, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,080.