Animal Trainers Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $35,750 -7.7% vs national
Median hourly $17.19
10th percentile $29,650
90th percentile $53,380
Employed locally 460
National median $38,750

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Type a city below to see how Chicago, IL-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Animal Trainers
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,650
    25th
    $30,310
    50th (median)
    $35,750
    75th
    $44,690
    90th
    $53,380

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Trainers salary vs area income 40% Median Animal Trainers salary is 60% 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
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $46,430
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $46,370
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $44,730
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $42,910
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $40,350
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $39,190

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Childcare Workers $34,110
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $51,680
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $35,560
    Recreation Workers $34,100
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $31,350
    Animal Caretakers $35,090

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Trainers make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Trainers in Chicago, IL-IN is $17.19, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.94 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Animal Trainers salaries?

    The median Animal Trainers salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 7.7% 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 Chicago?

    Entry-level Animal Trainers (10th percentile) earn around $29,650 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,310.