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Marine animal trainer salary
Average marine animal trainer salary
$16.23
Understanding Marine Animal Trainer Salaries
A marine animal trainer plays a vital role in the care and training of various marine species, including dolphins, sea lions, and other aquatic animals. The average salary for a marine animal trainer is approximately $33,750 per year or about $16 per hour. Salaries can vary based on factors such as experience, location, and the specific facility where trainers work.
Salary Insights by Location
Marine animal trainers may find higher salaries in states known for their marine parks and aquariums. For instance, California and Florida often provide opportunities for higher earnings due to the presence of numerous marine parks and tourist attractions. Understanding salary trends in different regions can help aspiring trainers make informed career choices.
Career Opportunities
In addition to working directly with marine animals, trainers can advance their careers by taking on supervisory roles or specializing in animal behavior research. Volunteering or interning at marine facilities can also provide valuable experience and connections in the industry. As awareness of marine conservation grows, the demand for skilled trainers remains steady, making this a promising career path.
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Where can a Marine Animal Trainer earn more?
Marine animal trainer salary estimates from across the web
Average marine animal trainer salary by state
The average marine animal trainer salary in New York, North Dakota, and Alaska are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average marine animal trainer salary states are New Hampshire, Alabama, and Vermont.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for marine animal trainers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentucky | $39,008 | $18.75 |
| 2 | Mississippi | $35,761 | $17.19 |
| 3 | Oregon | $40,432 | $19.44 |
| 4 | New York | $43,359 | $20.85 |
| 5 | Nebraska | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| 6 | Missouri | $36,324 | $17.46 |
| 7 | Alaska | $40,641 | $19.54 |
| 8 | Ohio | $31,223 | $15.01 |
| 9 | North Dakota | $41,088 | $19.75 |
| 10 | California | $37,706 | $18.13 |
| 11 | Illinois | $32,194 | $15.48 |
| 12 | Utah | $35,893 | $17.26 |
| 13 | Florida | $33,529 | $16.12 |
| 14 | Kansas | $30,343 | $14.59 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $32,050 | $15.41 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $29,903 | $14.38 |
| 17 | Louisiana | $29,690 | $14.27 |
| 18 | Wisconsin | $30,667 | $14.74 |
| 19 | Indiana | $29,252 | $14.06 |
| 20 | Michigan | $30,052 | $14.45 |
| 21 | Minnesota | $30,859 | $14.84 |
| 22 | Arizona | $30,842 | $14.83 |
| 23 | Hawaii | $33,854 | $16.28 |
| 24 | South Dakota | $31,680 | $15.23 |
| 25 | Montana | $31,196 | $15.00 |
| 26 | Colorado | $30,896 | $14.85 |
| 27 | Iowa | $27,529 | $13.24 |
| 28 | Rhode Island | $28,449 | $13.68 |
| 29 | Wyoming | $28,097 | $13.51 |
| 30 | Texas | $28,465 | $13.69 |
| 31 | New Jersey | $28,569 | $13.74 |
| 32 | Arkansas | $27,542 | $13.24 |
| 33 | Maine | $30,045 | $14.44 |
| 34 | Delaware | $27,828 | $13.38 |
| 35 | New Mexico | $28,988 | $13.94 |
| 36 | Connecticut | $27,668 | $13.30 |
| 37 | Virginia | $28,761 | $13.83 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $28,719 | $13.81 |
| 39 | Washington | $28,548 | $13.72 |
| 40 | Nevada | $28,213 | $13.56 |
| 41 | Maryland | $26,755 | $12.86 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $27,410 | $13.18 |
| 43 | Idaho | $27,967 | $13.45 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $27,660 | $13.30 |
| 45 | Alabama | $27,167 | $13.06 |
| 46 | Georgia | $27,080 | $13.02 |
| 47 | New Hampshire | $27,303 | $13.13 |
| 48 | Massachusetts | $27,531 | $13.24 |
| 49 | North Carolina | $27,138 | $13.05 |
| 50 | Vermont | $27,144 | $13.05 |
| 51 | District of Columbia | $27,226 | $13.09 |
Highest paying cities for marine animal trainers
The highest-paying cities for marine animal trainers are Amenia, NY, Elmont, NY, and Los Alamitos, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amenia, NY | $43,534 | $20.93 |
| 2 | Elmont, NY | $43,398 | $20.86 |
| 3 | Los Alamitos, CA | $37,892 | $18.22 |
| 4 | Oceanside, CA | $37,715 | $18.13 |
| 5 | Albany, CA | $37,581 | $18.07 |
| 6 | Berkeley, CA | $37,568 | $18.06 |
| 7 | Morriston, FL | $33,617 | $16.16 |
| 8 | Port Orchard, WA | $28,571 | $13.74 |
| 9 | Brooklet, GA | $26,808 | $12.89 |
Marine animal trainer salary details
A marine animal trainer's salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $50,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a marine animal trainer's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
| 75th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| Average | $33,750 | $2,813 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
Highest paying marine animal trainer jobs
The highest paying types of marine animal trainers are guide dog instructor, dog obedience instructor, and equestrian trainer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guide Dog Instructor | $49,458 | $4,121 | $23.78 | 30,691 |
| Dog Trainer | $32,811 | $2,734 | $15.77 | 76,324 |
| Service Dog Trainer | $34,195 | $2,850 | $16.44 | 24,864 |
Top companies hiring marine animal trainers now:
Which companies pay marine animal trainers the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego Humane Society | $34,712 | $16.69 |
| 2 | Aaron's | $27,961 | $13.44 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Marine Animal Trainer salary by industry
The average marine animal trainer salary varies across industries:
- The average marine animal trainer salary in the hospitality industry is $38,339, the highest of any industry.
- The average marine animal trainer salary in the finance industry is $34,071.
- Marine animal trainers in the media industry earn an average salary of $27,334, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for marine animal trainers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hospitality | $38,339 | $18.43 |
| 2 | Technology | $34,071 | $16.38 |
| 3 | Manufacturing | $33,719 | $16.21 |
| 4 | Professional | $32,630 | $15.69 |
| 5 | Non Profits | $32,031 | $15.40 |
| 6 | Retail | $31,119 | $14.96 |
| 7 | Media | $27,334 | $13.14 |
High paying marine animal trainer jobs
Marine animal trainer salary trends
The average marine animal trainer salary has risen by $5,932 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average marine animal trainer earned $27,818 annually, but today, they earn $33,750 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for marine animal trainers over the last decade.
Compare marine animal trainer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average marine animal trainer salary over time
Compare marine animal trainer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Marine animal trainer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $33,700 | $16.23 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | $32,600 | $15.66 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $31,400 | $15.08 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $30,900 | $14.87 | +4.1% |
| 2021 | $29,600 | $14.25 | +3.9% |
Recently added marine animal trainer salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington University In St. Louis | Animal Husbandry Trainer-Comparative Medicine | Saint Louis, MO | 03/08/2025 | $35,688 |
| University of Minnesota | Lab Animal Care Trainer | Minneapolis, MN | 12/14/2024 | $56,725 |
| Suny Maritime College | Professional Mariner Trainer(S)-Suny Maritime College | New York, NY | 12/13/2024 | $135,655 |
| University of Washington | Postdoctoral Scholar-Animal Gut Microbiomes In The Marine Carbon Cycle | Seattle, WA | 10/11/2024 | $80,400 |
| Joybound People & Pets | Public Animal Trainer | Walnut Creek, CA | 07/04/2024 | $83,480 |
| VCA Antech, Inc. | Experienced VA or RVT Needed-VCA Animal Wellness Center of Marin | San Rafael, CA | 04/07/2024 | $41,740 |
| VCA Animal Hospitals | Experienced VA or RVT Needed-VCA Animal Wellness Center of Marin | San Rafael, CA | 04/05/2024 | $41,740 |
| Aza | Seasonal Animal Trainer | Winter Haven, FL | 03/23/2024 | $27,131 |
| San Diego Humane Society | Animal Trainer I | Oceanside, CA | 02/22/2024 | $46,436 |
| San Diego Humane Society | Animal Trainer I | Escondido, CA | 11/14/2023 | $46,436 |
Marine animal trainer salary FAQs
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