Best degree programs for Animal Trainers, ranked by enrollment
3 college programs and 53 schools train Animal Trainers. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $39,990 median wage, 18,770 U.S. jobs. Federal data.
3 college programs at 53 schools train animal trainers, graduating 787 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Equestrian/Equine Studies. The job pays a median of $39,990 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About animal trainers
Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or for 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.
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
3 degree programs that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 01.0507 | 573 | 72.8% | 47 | $27,363 | $15,774 |
| 2 | CIP 01.0505 | 164 | 20.8% | 5 | $27,363 | $15,774 |
| 3 | CIP 30.3401 | 50 | 6.4% | 3 | — | — |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unity Environmental University New Gloucester, ME Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 96 | Animal Training | 29% | $19,316 | — |
| 2 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Public · 2 feeder programs | 54 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 67% | — | 89% |
| 3 | Post University Waterbury, CT Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 42 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 25% | $14,659 | — |
| 4 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill Cobleskill, NY Public · 1 feeder programs | 42 | Animal Training | 42% | — | 84% |
| 5 | College of Central Florida Ocala, FL Public · 1 feeder programs | 39 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 44% | — | — |
| 6 | The University of Findlay Findlay, OH Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 37 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 58% | $23,128 | 83% |
| 7 | Lamar Community College Lamar, CO Public · 1 feeder programs | 33 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 55% | — | — |
| 8 | The University of Montana - Western Dillon, MT Public · 1 feeder programs | 30 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 51% | — | 100% |
| 9 | Martin Community College Williamston, NC Public · 1 feeder programs | 27 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 39% | — | — |
| 10 | Midway University Midway, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 24 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 41% | $23,658 | 95% |
| 11 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 23 | Anthrozoology | 97% | $22,055 | 5% |
| 12 | Centenary University Hackettstown, NJ Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 21 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 56% | $17,490 | 83% |
| 13 | Hocking College Nelsonville, OH Public · 2 feeder programs | 21 | Animal Training | 37% | — | — |
| 14 | Beacon College Leesburg, FL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 20 | Anthrozoology | 60% | $32,948 | 43% |
| 15 | Asbury University Wilmore, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 16 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 65% | $19,816 | 63% |
| 16 | Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KY Public · 1 feeder programs | 16 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 43% | — | — |
| 17 | Central Wyoming College Riverton, WY Public · 1 feeder programs | 14 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 37% | — | — |
| 18 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO Public · 1 feeder programs | 14 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 75% | — | 78% |
| 19 | East Texas A&M University Commerce, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 13 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 43% | — | 92% |
| 20 | Emory & Henry University Emory, VA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 13 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 56% | $20,446 | 84% |
| 21 | William Woods University Fulton, MO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 13 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 47% | $22,203 | 71% |
| 22 | Northeastern Junior College Sterling, CO Public · 1 feeder programs | 12 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 56% | — | — |
| 23 | Black Hawk College Moline, IL Public · 1 feeder programs | 11 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 40% | — | — |
| 24 | New Mexico Junior College Hobbs, NM Public · 1 feeder programs | 11 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 58% | — | — |
| 25 | West Texas A & M University Canyon, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 11 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 55% | — | 99% |
| 26 | Northern Wyoming Community College District Sheridan, WY Public · 1 feeder programs | 9 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 42% | — | — |
| 27 | Husson University Bangor, ME Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 8 | Animal Training | 59% | $18,839 | 81% |
| 28 | SUNY Morrisville Morrisville, NY Public · 1 feeder programs | 8 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 28% | — | 92% |
| 29 | Wilson College Chambersburg, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 8 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 48% | $18,586 | 92% |
| 30 | Delaware Valley University Doylestown, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 7 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 56% | $25,402 | 93% |
| 31 | Lake Erie College Painesville, OH Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 7 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 38% | $21,063 | 70% |
| 32 | Saint Francis University Loretto, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 7 | Animal Training | 74% | $15,989 | 77% |
| 33 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 7 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 69% | — | 73% |
| 34 | Central Arizona College Coolidge, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 6 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 27% | — | — |
| 35 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 6 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 55% | $31,634 | 88% |
| 36 | Saint Mary - of - the - Woods College Saint Mary of the Woods, IN Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 6 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 47% | $43,857 | 72% |
| 37 | Stephens College Columbia, MO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 6 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 43% | $23,198 | 77% |
| 38 | Weatherford College Weatherford, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 6 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 35% | — | — |
| 39 | Laramie County Community College Cheyenne, WY Public · 1 feeder programs | 5 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 38% | — | — |
| 40 | Miles Community College Miles City, MT Public · 1 feeder programs | 5 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 62% | — | — |
| 41 | Otterbein University Westerville, OH Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 5 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 68% | $20,150 | 85% |
| 42 | Rocky Mountain College Billings, MT Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 5 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 48% | $17,369 | 70% |
| 43 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 4 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 69% | $44,902 | 83% |
| 44 | Averett University Danville, VA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 3 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 48% | $23,171 | 57% |
| 45 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, ND Public · 1 feeder programs | 3 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 64% | — | 95% |
| 46 | Wilmington College Wilmington, OH Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 3 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 47% | $22,186 | 92% |
| 47 | Colorado Northwestern Community College Rangely, CO Public · 1 feeder programs | 2 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 34% | — | — |
| 48 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OH Public · 1 feeder programs | 2 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 65% | — | 85% |
| 49 | Ohio University - Southern Campus Ironton, OH Public · 1 feeder programs | 2 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 21% | — | — |
| 50 | Alfred University Alfred, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 1 | Equestrian/Equine Studies | 57% | $22,481 | 74% |
What animal trainers earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mainelimited | $40,760 | 110 | 1.44× | 2 | 104 |
| Coloradomoderate | $44,290 | 330 | 0.94× | 4 | 101 |
| Ohio | $32,700 | 730 | 1.08× | 8 | 78 |
| Floridalimited | $36,870 | 1,090 | 0.91× | 2 | 59 |
| Kentuckymoderate | $34,030 | 470 | 1.94× | 3 | 56 |
| New Yorkmoderate | $48,790 | 970 | 0.83× | 3 | 51 |
| Pennsylvaniamoderate | $38,920 | 460 | 0.63× | 4 | 45 |
| Connecticutlimited | $45,800 | 290 | 1.39× | 1 | 42 |
| Montanamoderate | $44,680 | 80 | 1.26× | 3 | 40 |
| Texasmoderate | $36,370 | 1,080 | 0.64× | 4 | 37 |
| Missourimoderate | $34,010 | 250 | 0.70× | 3 | 33 |
| North Carolinalimited | $37,680 | 640 | 1.07× | 1 | 27 |
| New Jerseylimited | $46,690 | 480 | 0.92× | 1 | 21 |
| Virginialimited | $62,960 | 720 | 1.45× | 2 | 16 |
| Illinoislimited | $45,830 | 680 | 0.92× | 2 | 12 |
| New Mexicolimited | $34,760 | 60 | 0.54× | 1 | 11 |
| Arizonalimited | $33,330 | — | — | 1 | 6 |
| Indianalimited | $45,270 | 380 | 0.98× | 1 | 6 |
| Georgialimited | $45,250 | 800 | 1.35× | 1 | 4 |
| North Dakotalimited | $38,970 | 30 | 0.62× | 1 | 3 |
Skills and tools
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to day
- Cue or signal animals during performances.
- Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact.
- Conduct training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes.
- Feed or exercise animals or provide other general care, such as cleaning or maintaining holding or performance areas.
- Observe animals' physical conditions to detect illness or unhealthy conditions requiring medical care.
- Evaluate animals to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training.
- Administer prescribed medications to animals.
- Keep records documenting animal health, diet, or behavior.
Skills
- Speaking3.5
- Learning Strategies3.5
- Critical Thinking3.4
- Active Learning3.3
- Monitoring3.1
- Active Listening3.1
- Reading Comprehension2.9
- Writing2.9
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.0
- Education and Training3.6
- Psychology3.2
- Administration and Management3.1
- English Language3.1
- Sales and Marketing2.8
Abilities
- Problem Sensitivity3.8
- Oral Expression3.6
- Oral Comprehension3.4
- Information Ordering3.3
- Speech Clarity3.3
- Deductive Reasoning3.1
Core activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.2
- Performing General Physical Activities4.1
- Training and Teaching Others4.0
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public4.0
- Thinking Creatively3.9
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates3.9
Tools and technology
hotmarks an O*NET hot technologyHow to get in
How to become a Animal Trainer
Job zone 2 of 5 · SVP Below 6.0- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 3 majors mapped to Animal Trainers3 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 01.0505Animal Training
- 01.0507Equestrian/Equine Studies
- 30.3401Anthrozoology
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
Common questions
What degree do you need to become an Animal Trainer?+
High school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Equestrian/Equine Studies, which awarded 573 degrees in 2024-25, 72.8% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming an Animal Trainer?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 3 programs to this occupation. The largest are Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services, Anthrozoology. Together they graduate about 787 people a year.
How much do animal trainers earn?+
The median is $39,990 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $29,600 at the 10th percentile to $75,490 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for animal trainers growing?+
BLS projects a +5.1% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, faster than average, with roughly 7,100 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
53 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 3 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do animal trainers work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Trainer, Dog Trainer, Horse Trainer, Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI) among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 39-2011.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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