Animal Trainers Salary in Raleigh, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Raleigh-Cary, NC

Median annual salary $49,170 +26.9% vs national
Median hourly $23.64
10th percentile $31,260
90th percentile $85,460
Employed locally 190
National median $38,750

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Type a city below to see how Raleigh, NC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Animal Trainers
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Raleigh, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,260
    25th
    $37,020
    50th (median)
    $49,170
    75th
    $80,820
    90th
    $85,460

    Raleigh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $96,066 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Trainers salary vs area income 51% Median Animal Trainers salary is 49% 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
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $46,430
    Lancaster, PA $45,300
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $39,190
    Winston-Salem, NC $38,560

    Related occupations in Raleigh, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $27,850
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $48,060
    Childcare Workers $28,290
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $38,030
    Animal Caretakers $29,830
    Recreation Workers $28,850

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Trainers make per hour in Raleigh?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Trainers in Raleigh, NC is $23.64, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $40.75 or more per hour.

    Is Raleigh above or below average for Animal Trainers salaries?

    The median Animal Trainers salary in Raleigh, NC is 26.9% 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 Raleigh?

    Entry-level Animal Trainers (10th percentile) earn around $31,260 per year in Raleigh, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,020.