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Animal Care Trainee Salary in the United States

How much does an Animal Care Trainee make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Animal Care Trainee in the United States is $34,238 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $16.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $40,159
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $31,782 to $37,338
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $29,545
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Animal Care Trainee Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Animal Care Trainee Salaries

An Animal Care Trainee'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Animal Care Trainee Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Animal Care Trainee'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): $33,408
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $33,894
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $34,324
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $34,454
  • Expert (over 8 years): $34,540
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Animal Care Trainee less than 1 year $33,408
Early Career Level Animal Care Trainee 1-2 years $33,894
Mid-Level Level Animal Care Trainee 2-4 years $34,324
Senior-Level Level Animal Care Trainee 5-8 years $34,454
Expert Level Animal Care Trainee over 8 years $34,540

How Do Animal Care Trainee 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 Trainees. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $37,909.
  • California: $37,765.
  • Massachusetts: $37,262.

Top Paying Cities for Animal Care Trainee

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: $43,185
  • San Francisco: $42,712
  • Oakland: $41,812

Animal Care Trainee Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Animal Care Trainee roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Animal Care Trainee positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Animal Care Trainee as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Animal Care Trainee

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare $44,510 $21.0 30%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit $37,662 $18.0 10%

Animal Care Trainee Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Animal Care Trainee'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 September 01, 2026
$31,782
Average $34,238/year
$37,338
$2,648
Average $2,853/month
$3,111
$611
Average $658/week
$718
$15
Average $16/hour
$18
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $37,338 $3,111 $718 $18
Average $34,238 $2,853 $658 $16
25th Percentile $31,782 $2,648 $611 $15

Most common benefits for Animal Care Trainee

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

Common company salaries for Animal Care Trainee

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

Find Your Next Animal Care Trainee Job

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

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Field Service Technician

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Mechanical Field Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Field Service Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    6 Days Ago

  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    SVP Revenue Growth

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    7 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    Staff Accountant

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    Senior Account

    Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    About the Opportunity. ACG Systems is a mission-critical communications platform. Through Morcom, an ACG Systems company, we design, deploy, and support wi... more

    7 Days Ago

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FAQ about Animal Care Trainee

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Animal Care Trainee?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Animal Care Trainee roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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