Animal Trainers Salary in Buffalo, NY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Median annual salary $36,860 -4.9% vs national
Median hourly $17.72
10th percentile $33,520
90th percentile $54,770
Employed locally 50
National median $38,750

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Animal Trainers
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Buffalo, NY
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,520
    25th
    $34,440
    50th (median)
    $36,860
    75th
    $41,970
    90th
    $54,770

    Buffalo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,572 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Trainers salary vs area income 52% Median Animal Trainers salary is 48% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $47,600
    Rochester, NY $46,580
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $45,470
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $37,510
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $36,200

    Related occupations in Buffalo, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Childcare Workers $34,240
    Recreation Workers $32,130
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $33,360
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $31,200
    Animal Caretakers $33,750
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $42,850

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Trainers make per hour in Buffalo?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Trainers in Buffalo, NY is $17.72, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.56 or more per hour.

    Is Buffalo above or below average for Animal Trainers salaries?

    The median Animal Trainers salary in Buffalo, NY is 4.9% 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 Buffalo?

    Entry-level Animal Trainers (10th percentile) earn around $33,520 per year in Buffalo, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,440.