K9 handler vs dog trainer

The differences between k9 handlers and dog trainers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a k9 handler has an average salary of $40,958, which is higher than the $32,811 average annual salary of a dog trainer.

The top three skills for a k9 handler include patrol, explosive detection and public safety. The most important skills for a dog trainer are PET, training techniques, and customer service.

K9 handler vs dog trainer overview

	K9 Handler	Dog Trainer
Yearly salary	$40,958	$32,811
Hourly rate	$19.69	$15.77
Growth rate	3%	28%
Number of jobs	26,096	76,324
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 31%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	-	4

K9 handler vs dog trainer salary

K9 handlers and dog trainers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	K9 Handler	Dog Trainer
Average salary	$40,958	$32,811
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $53,000	Between $22,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between k9 handler and dog trainer education

There are a few differences between a k9 handler and a dog trainer in terms of educational background:

	K9 Handler	Dog Trainer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 31%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	California State University - Bakersfield	-

K9 handler vs dog trainer demographics

Here are the differences between k9 handlers' and dog trainers' demographics:

	K9 Handler	Dog Trainer
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1%	Male, 38.9% Female, 61.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 3.3% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 7.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 1.7% White, 71.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	7%	16%

Differences between k9 handler and dog trainer duties and responsibilities

K9 handler example responsibilities.

Hire and manage credit officers responsible for Citigroup's new commodity derivatives business in Houston.
Provide technical guidance to soldiers on ammunition safety matters and other relate ammunition items.
Maintain accurate record for MWD certification.
Serve warrants, subpoenas and civil documents.
Search vehicles at ECP with PEDD for explosives.
Maintain sanitation, kennel cleanliness and MWD heath.

Dog trainer example responsibilities.

Accept shipments and manage using AS400 system.
Bathe all types of dogs including clipping nails, cleaning ears, brushing teeth and cleansing anal glands.
Train assigned K9's in explosive detection, obedience and control aggression, building searches, area and article searches.
Conduct training programs in order to develop and maintain desire animal behaviors, husbandry and well being for all animals.
Include cutting the animals hair, giving them a bath, blow dry also clips their nails and clean their ears.
Train dogs in show handling, tracking, k-9 work, bite work ,

K9 handler vs dog trainer skills

Common k9 handler skills

Patrol, 26%
Explosive Detection, 16%
Public Safety, 13%
CPR, 12%
Emergency Situations, 8%
Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%

Common dog trainer skills

PET, 82%
Training Techniques, 14%
Customer Service, 1%
Behavior Issues, 1%
Various Training, 0%
Front Desk, 0%