Animal Trainers Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $60,390 +55.8% vs national
Median hourly $29.03
10th percentile $37,860
90th percentile $107,080
Employed locally 50
National median $38,750

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Animal Trainers
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Santa Maria, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,860
    25th
    $43,930
    50th (median)
    $60,390
    75th
    $72,870
    90th
    $107,080

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Trainers salary vs area income 63% Median Animal Trainers salary is 37% 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
    Madison, WI $59,900

    Nearby metros — Animal Trainers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $53,340
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $49,170
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $48,480
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $47,600
    California $46,780
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $46,780

    Related occupations in Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$54,480
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants$34,970
    Recreation Workers$37,130
    Childcare Workers$36,060
    Animal Caretakers$36,930
    First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$49,650

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Trainers make per hour in Santa Maria?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Trainers in Santa Maria, CA is $29.03, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $32.72 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Maria above or below average for Animal Trainers salaries?

    The median Animal Trainers salary in Santa Maria, CA is 55.8% 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 Santa Maria?

    Entry-level Animal Trainers (10th percentile) earn around $37,860 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,930.