What You Need to Know About Animal Trainer
Job Description: Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or assisting persons with disabilities. Accustom animals to human voice and contact; and condition animals to respond to commands. Train animals according to prescribed standards for show or competition. May train animals to carry pack loads or work as part of pack team.
A Day in the Life of an Animal Trainer
- Evaluate animals for trainability and ability to perform.
- Train horses or other equines for riding, harness, show, racing, or other work, using knowledge of breed characteristics, training methods, performance standards, and the peculiarities of each animal.
- Use oral, spur, rein, or hand commands to condition horses to carry riders or to pull horse-drawn equipment.
- Keep records documenting animal health, diet, or behavior.
- Train dogs to work as guides for the visually impaired.
- Conduct training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes.
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Skills Needed to be an Animal Trainer
These are the skills Animal Trainers say are the most useful in their careers:
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Equestrian
- Show Dog Trainer
- Marine Animal Trainer
- Service Dog Trainer
- Pet Trainer
Is There Going to be Demand for Animal Trainers?
In the United States, there were 54,900 jobs for Animal Trainer in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 6,100 new jobs for Animal Trainer by 2026. The BLS estimates 7,000 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Animal Trainer are Colorado, Oregon, and New Hampshire. Watch out if you plan on working in South Carolina, Maryland, or Pennsylvania. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Animal Trainer Salary
The typical yearly salary for Animal Trainers is somewhere between $20,270 and $55,760.
Animal Trainers who work in Kentucky, Washington, or Illinois, make the highest salaries.
How much do Animal Trainers make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $32,900 |
| Alaska | $32,470 |
| Arizona | $38,420 |
| Arkansas | $36,690 |
| California | $41,600 |
| Colorado | $30,690 |
| Connecticut | $36,870 |
| Delaware | $35,880 |
| Florida | $32,210 |
| Georgia | $31,830 |
| Hawaii | $31,410 |
| Idaho | $19,850 |
| Illinois | $46,150 |
| Indiana | $33,200 |
| Iowa | $72,160 |
| Kansas | $28,050 |
| Kentucky | $60,660 |
| Louisiana | $28,730 |
| Maine | $29,310 |
| Maryland | $32,210 |
| Massachusetts | $38,280 |
| Michigan | $32,160 |
| Minnesota | $31,640 |
| Mississippi | $21,250 |
| Missouri | $31,210 |
| Nebraska | $32,330 |
| Nevada | $28,060 |
| New Hampshire | $35,610 |
| New Jersey | $33,740 |
| New Mexico | $35,580 |
| New York | $36,610 |
| North Carolina | $27,500 |
| Ohio | $28,280 |
| Oklahoma | $28,590 |
| Oregon | $27,930 |
| Pennsylvania | $31,190 |
| South Carolina | $36,630 |
| Tennessee | $28,220 |
| Texas | $29,040 |
| Utah | $29,050 |
| Virginia | $35,870 |
| Washington | $41,880 |
| West Virginia | $34,100 |
| Wisconsin | $28,890 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Animal Trainers
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Animal Trainers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Project
- Database software
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- Oracle software
- Epic Systems
- SAP software
- Atlassian JIRA
- Customer information control system CICS
- Work scheduling software
How do I Become an Animal Trainer?
Are there Animal Trainers education requirements?
What work experience do I need to become an Animal Trainer?
Who Employs Animal Trainers?
The table below shows the approximate number of Animal Trainers employed by various industries.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being an Animal Trainer may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: Corey Hensley via Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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