Animal Trainers Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $39,190 +1.1% vs national
Median hourly $18.84
10th percentile $26,230
90th percentile $82,840
Employed locally 40
National median $38,750

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Animal Trainers
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Durham, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,230
    25th
    $37,940
    50th (median)
    $39,190
    75th
    $52,450
    90th
    $82,840

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Trainers salary vs area income 48% Median Animal Trainers salary is 52% 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
    Winston-Salem, NC $38,560

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Childcare Workers $30,280
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $27,660
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $48,890
    Recreation Workers $36,400
    Animal Caretakers $30,640
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $40,580

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Trainers make per hour in Durham?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Trainers in Durham, NC is $18.84, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.16 or more per hour.

    Is Durham above or below average for Animal Trainers salaries?

    The median Animal Trainers salary in Durham, NC is 1.1% 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Animal Trainers (10th percentile) earn around $26,230 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,940.