What Do Animal Trainer Do?
Animal Trainer Example 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.
List of Animal Trainer Job Duties
- Retrain horses to break bad habits, such as kicking, bolting, or resisting bridling or grooming.
- Cue or signal animals during performances.
- Evaluate animals for trainability and ability to perform.
- Advise animal owners regarding the purchase of specific animals.
- Instruct jockeys in handling specific horses during races.
- Use oral, spur, rein, or hand commands to condition horses to carry riders or to pull horse-drawn equipment.
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Qualities of an Animal Trainer
When polled, Animal Trainers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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:
- Pet Handler
- Racehorse Trainer
- Ring Conductor
- Guide Dog Instructor
- Horse Wrangler
Are There Job Opportunities 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. There will be an estimated 7,000 positions for Animal Trainer per year.
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 Average 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 to Become an Animal Trainer
What kind of Animal Trainer requirements are there?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Animal Trainers Sector
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Animal Trainer might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Corey Hensley via Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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