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Exercise rider salary
Average exercise rider salary
$42,207
Exercise Rider Salary Overview
As of October 2025, the average salary for an exercise rider in the United States stands at $42,207 annually. This figure reflects a typical hourly wage of approximately $20. The salary can vary considerably based on several factors, including geographic location, experience, and the type of employer.
Salary Variation by State
For exercise riders, certain states offer higher salaries due to demand and cost of living. For instance, states with a robust horse racing industry, like California and New York, often provide more lucrative opportunities. Additionally, riders in urban areas may find better pay compared to those in rural settings.
Job Opportunities
Exercise riders typically work at racetracks, training facilities, or equestrian centers. With the right experience and skills, there are opportunities for advancement into roles such as racehorse trainer or manager. For those interested in pursuing a career in this field, it is beneficial to stay informed about salary trends and job openings in various regions.
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Where can an Exercise Rider earn more?
Average exercise rider salary by state
The highest-paying states for exercise riders are Pennsylvania, New York, and Rhode Island. The lowest average exercise rider salary states are Utah, Oregon, and Minnesota.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for exercise riders
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $47,731 | $22.95 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | $48,930 | $23.52 |
| 3 | Delaware | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $44,734 | $21.51 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $45,857 | $22.05 |
| 6 | Maine | $45,468 | $21.86 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| 8 | New York | $47,804 | $22.98 |
| 9 | Alaska | $41,702 | $20.05 |
| 10 | Michigan | $36,141 | $17.38 |
| 11 | Georgia | $36,599 | $17.60 |
| 12 | Vermont | $47,239 | $22.71 |
| 13 | West Virginia | $41,896 | $20.14 |
| 14 | New Hampshire | $42,630 | $20.50 |
| 15 | Ohio | $38,355 | $18.44 |
| 16 | Virginia | $37,417 | $17.99 |
| 17 | Florida | $34,174 | $16.43 |
| 18 | District of Columbia | $44,445 | $21.37 |
| 19 | Maryland | $39,410 | $18.95 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $38,113 | $18.32 |
| 21 | Illinois | $33,692 | $16.20 |
| 22 | Kansas | $32,102 | $15.43 |
| 23 | Nebraska | $33,754 | $16.23 |
| 24 | Indiana | $31,543 | $15.16 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $32,919 | $15.83 |
| 26 | California | $35,790 | $17.21 |
| 27 | Texas | $32,528 | $15.64 |
| 28 | Mississippi | $34,125 | $16.41 |
| 29 | New Mexico | $34,951 | $16.80 |
| 30 | Nevada | $31,479 | $15.13 |
| 31 | South Dakota | $31,241 | $15.02 |
| 32 | Hawaii | $36,997 | $17.79 |
| 33 | Missouri | $30,266 | $14.55 |
| 34 | South Carolina | $31,311 | $15.05 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $30,532 | $14.68 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $30,742 | $14.78 |
| 37 | Oklahoma | $29,446 | $14.16 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $30,185 | $14.51 |
| 39 | Alabama | $29,582 | $14.22 |
| 40 | Idaho | $25,332 | $12.18 |
| 41 | Arizona | $29,337 | $14.10 |
| 42 | Iowa | $28,233 | $13.57 |
| 43 | Washington | $27,831 | $13.38 |
| 44 | Montana | $25,222 | $12.13 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $28,082 | $13.50 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $27,024 | $12.99 |
| 47 | Colorado | $24,539 | $11.80 |
| 48 | Utah | $25,962 | $12.48 |
| 49 | Oregon | $25,756 | $12.38 |
| 50 | Wyoming | $27,306 | $13.13 |
| 51 | Minnesota | $25,358 | $12.19 |
Highest paying cities for exercise riders
The highest-paying cities for exercise riders are Elmont, NY, Saratoga Springs, NY, and North Randall, OH.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elmont, NY | $47,935 | $23.05 |
| 2 | Saratoga Springs, NY | $45,166 | $21.71 |
| 3 | North Randall, OH | $40,824 | $19.63 |
| 4 | Elkton, MD | $40,706 | $19.57 |
| 5 | Arcadia, CA | $36,585 | $17.59 |
| 6 | Oldsmar, FL | $34,440 | $16.56 |
| 7 | Williston, FL | $34,382 | $16.53 |
| 8 | Ocala, FL | $34,356 | $16.52 |
| 9 | Miami Gardens, FL | $33,991 | $16.34 |
| 10 | Hallandale Beach, FL | $33,949 | $16.32 |
| 11 | Berkeley, CA | $32,901 | $15.82 |
| 12 | Monroe, WA | $27,951 | $13.44 |
| 13 | Basalt, CO | $24,338 | $11.70 |
Exercise rider salary details
An exercise rider's salary ranges from $20,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $88,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an exercise rider's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $88,000 | $7,333 | $42 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,000 | $5,167 | $30 |
| Average | $42,207 | $3,517 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $20,000 | $1,667 | $10 |
Highest paying exercise rider jobs
The highest paying types of exercise riders are rider, wrangler, and livestock yard attendant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groom | $30,872 | $2,573 | $14.84 | 9,302 |
| Farm Worker | $26,598 | $2,217 | $12.79 | 25,368 |
| Wrangler | $34,274 | $2,856 | $16.48 | 176 |
| Farm Labour | $26,720 | $2,227 | $12.85 | 25,319 |
| Ranch Hand | $27,569 | $2,297 | $13.25 | 4,309 |
| Farm Hand | $26,594 | $2,216 | $12.79 | 9,890 |
Top companies hiring exercise riders now:
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Exercise rider salary trends
The average exercise rider salary has risen by $10,186 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average exercise rider earned $32,021 annually, but today, they earn $42,207 a year. That works out to a 19% change in pay for exercise riders over the last decade.
Compare exercise rider salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average exercise rider salary over time
Compare exercise rider salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Exercise rider salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $42,200 | $20.29 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $40,300 | $19.39 | +4.6% |
| 2023 | $38,500 | $18.50 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $36,900 | $17.74 | +3.7% |
| 2021 | $35,500 | $17.08 | +3.1% |
Recently added exercise rider salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenneth McPeek Racing Stable, Inc. | Thoroughbred Racehorse Exercise Rider | Lexington, KY | 01/03/2025 | $44,411 |
| Kenneth McPeek Racing Stable, Inc. | Throughbred Exercise Rider | Florida | 07/25/2024 | $43,138 |
| Kenneth McPeek Racing Stable, Inc. | Thoroughbred Racehorse Exercise Rider | Lexington, KY | 01/03/2024 | $40,926 |
| Kenneth McPeek Racing Stable, Inc. | Throughbred Exercise Rider | Florida | 11/13/2023 | $37,378 |
| Kenneth McPeek Racing Stable, Inc. | Thoroughbred Racehorse Exercise Rider | Hallandale Beach, FL | 09/25/2023 | $42,742 |
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