What You Need to Know About Animal Trainer
Position 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.
What Do Animal Trainers Do On a Daily Basis?
- Administer prescribed medications to animals.
- Conduct training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes.
- Organize or conduct animal shows.
- Keep records documenting animal health, diet, or behavior.
- 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.
- Instruct jockeys in handling specific horses during races.
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Animal Trainer Needed Skills
Animal Trainers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Other Animal Trainer Job Titles
- Lion Trainer
- Dog Trainer
- Service Dog Trainer
- Guide Dog Instructor
- Handler
Animal Trainer Employment Estimates
There were about 54,900 jobs for Animal Trainer in 2016 (in the United States). 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 7,000 job openings in this field each 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.
Average Animal Trainers 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.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Animal Trainers 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 |
What Tools do Animal Trainers Use?
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
Becoming an Animal Trainer
Are there Animal Trainers education requirements?
How Long Does it Take to Become an Animal Trainer?
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References:
Image Credit: Corey Hensley via Public Domain
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