Animal Trainers Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $44,770 +15.5% vs national
Median hourly $21.52
10th percentile $28,880
90th percentile $64,100
Employed locally 30
National median $38,750

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Animal Trainers
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Columbia, SC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,880
    25th
    $33,280
    50th (median)
    $44,770
    75th
    $49,290
    90th
    $64,100

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Trainers salary vs area income 68% Median Animal Trainers salary is 32% 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $53,340
    Wisconsin $40,360
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $37,780
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $37,510
    Charleston-North Charleston, SC $33,240
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $32,760

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Childcare Workers $28,410
    Animal Caretakers $29,620
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $23,740
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $39,870
    Recreation Workers $30,550
    Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers $27,090

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Trainers make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Trainers in Columbia, SC is $21.52, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.78 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Animal Trainers salaries?

    The median Animal Trainers salary in Columbia, SC is 15.5% above 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Animal Trainers (10th percentile) earn around $28,880 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $33,280.