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Animal Care and Training Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does an Animal Care and Training Specialist make in the United States? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Animal Care and Training Specialist in the United States is $66,422 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, an Animal Care and Training Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,446
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $60,074 to $75,333
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,296
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Animal Care and Training Specialist Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Animal Care and Training Specialist Salaries

An Animal Care and Training Specialist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Animal Care and Training Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Animal Care and Training Specialist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $64,565
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $86,061
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $101,450
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $124,637
  • Expert (over 8 years): $126,636
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Animal Care and Training Specialist less than 1 year $64,565
Sales Trainer II 1-2 years $86,061
Sales Trainer III 2-4 years $101,450
Sales Trainer IV 5-8 years $124,637
Sales Training Manager over 8 years $126,636

How Do Animal Care and Training Specialist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Animal Care and Training Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $73,542.
  • California: $73,263.
  • Massachusetts: $72,287.

Top Paying Cities for Animal Care and Training Specialist

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $83,778
  • San Francisco: $82,860
  • Oakland: $81,114

Animal Care and Training Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Animal Care and Training Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Animal Care and Training Specialist positions in Telecom or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Animal Care and Training Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Animal Care and Training Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $92,990 $45.0 40%
Pharmaceuticals $86,348 $42.0 30%
Aerospace & Defense $79,706 $38.0 20%
Internet $79,706 $38.0 20%
Construction $76,385 $37.0 15%

How Education impacts an Animal Care and Training Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Animal Care and Training Specialist professionals enter the field with a Bachelor's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Animal Care and Training Specialist with a Bachelor's is between $66,679 and $72,028.

Animal Care and Training Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Animal Care and Training Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 1.9%
High School 19.4%
Associate's Degree 7.8%
Bachelor's Degree 59.2%
Master's Degree or MBA 11.7%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0%
View as Graph

Animal Care and Training Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Animal Care and Training Specialist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$60,074
Average $66,422/year
$75,333
$5,006
Average $5,535/month
$6,278
$1,155
Average $1,277/week
$1,449
$29
Average $32/hour
$36
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $75,333 $6,278 $1,449 $36
Average $66,422 $5,535 $1,277 $32
25th Percentile $60,074 $5,006 $1,155 $29

Most common benefits for Animal Care and Training Specialist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Animal Care and Training Specialist

Here are companies hiring for Animal Care and Training Specialist and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Animal Care and Training Specialist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Animal Care and Training Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Animal Care and Training Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Animal Care and Training Specialist?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Animal Care and Training Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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