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Service dog trainer salary
Average service dog trainer salary
$16.44
Understanding Service Dog Trainer Salaries
In the role of a service dog trainer, the salary can vary significantly based on several factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific type of organization employing the trainer. As of October 2025, the average salary for service dog trainers is around $34,195 annually, translating to roughly $16.44 per hour.
Salary by State
Trainers in states like California and New York often earn higher wages due to the demand for service dogs. For instance, in California, the average salary exceeds $40,000, making it one of the highest-paying states for this profession.
Career Growth and Opportunities
With experience and specialization, service dog trainers can advance to supervisory roles or open their own training facilities. Furthermore, obtaining certifications can enhance a trainer’s credentials, leading to better job prospects and higher salaries.
Overall, becoming a service dog trainer not only offers a fulfilling career but also an opportunity to positively impact the lives of others.
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Where can a Service Dog Trainer earn more?
Service dog trainer salary estimates from across the web
Average service dog trainer salary by state
The highest-paying states for service dog trainers are New York, California, and Oregon. The lowest average service dog trainer salary states are North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for service dog trainers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentucky | $37,254 | $17.91 |
| 2 | New York | $54,827 | $26.36 |
| 3 | Oregon | $43,360 | $20.85 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $34,947 | $16.80 |
| 5 | Mississippi | $34,112 | $16.40 |
| 6 | Utah | $37,709 | $18.13 |
| 7 | California | $44,373 | $21.33 |
| 8 | Rhode Island | $34,769 | $16.72 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $33,825 | $16.26 |
| 10 | North Dakota | $37,925 | $18.23 |
| 11 | Missouri | $34,364 | $16.52 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $34,688 | $16.68 |
| 13 | Alaska | $38,775 | $18.64 |
| 14 | Ohio | $31,686 | $15.23 |
| 15 | Nebraska | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| 16 | West Virginia | $32,189 | $15.48 |
| 17 | Michigan | $31,468 | $15.13 |
| 18 | Florida | $34,518 | $16.60 |
| 19 | Nevada | $31,758 | $15.27 |
| 20 | Delaware | $32,096 | $15.43 |
| 21 | Illinois | $31,248 | $15.02 |
| 22 | Maine | $34,448 | $16.56 |
| 23 | Iowa | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| 24 | New Hampshire | $32,347 | $15.55 |
| 25 | Arizona | $31,166 | $14.98 |
| 26 | Hawaii | $33,706 | $16.20 |
| 27 | Kansas | $28,743 | $13.82 |
| 28 | Massachusetts | $33,255 | $15.99 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $30,256 | $14.55 |
| 30 | Louisiana | $28,672 | $13.78 |
| 31 | Indiana | $28,320 | $13.62 |
| 32 | Maryland | $29,502 | $14.18 |
| 33 | Colorado | $30,386 | $14.61 |
| 34 | Vermont | $30,916 | $14.86 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $29,402 | $14.14 |
| 36 | Minnesota | $29,376 | $14.12 |
| 37 | Idaho | $29,375 | $14.12 |
| 38 | Texas | $27,728 | $13.33 |
| 39 | Wyoming | $27,363 | $13.16 |
| 40 | Virginia | $29,598 | $14.23 |
| 41 | Montana | $29,356 | $14.11 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $28,627 | $13.76 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $27,759 | $13.35 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $26,015 | $12.51 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $25,923 | $12.46 |
| 46 | Washington | $29,750 | $14.30 |
| 47 | District of Columbia | $29,571 | $14.22 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $26,209 | $12.60 |
| 49 | North Carolina | $26,473 | $12.73 |
| 50 | Georgia | $25,801 | $12.40 |
| 51 | Alabama | $25,851 | $12.43 |
Highest paying cities for service dog trainers
The highest-paying cities for service dog trainers are New York, NY, Pensacola, FL, and Springfield, MO.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $55,046 | $26.46 |
| 2 | Pensacola, FL | $35,350 | $17.00 |
| 3 | Springfield, MO | $33,992 | $16.34 |
| 4 | Leesburg, VA | $32,021 | $15.39 |
| 5 | Columbus, OH | $30,929 | $14.87 |
| 6 | Lacey, WA | $30,060 | $14.45 |
| 7 | Fort Worth, TX | $27,254 | $13.10 |
| 8 | Tulsa, OK | $26,111 | $12.55 |
Service dog trainer salary details
A service dog trainer's salary ranges from $23,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $49,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a service dog trainer's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $49,000 | $4,083 | $24 |
| 75th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| Average | $34,195 | $2,850 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11 |
Highest paying service dog trainer jobs
The highest paying types of service dog 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 |
| Customer Service Trainer | $32,452 | $2,704 | $15.60 | 235,862 |
| Dog Trainer | $32,811 | $2,734 | $15.77 | 76,324 |
Top companies hiring service dog trainers now:
Which companies pay service dog trainers the most?
Service dog trainer salaries at General Dynamics and JEAN-GEORGES MANAGEMENT are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average service dog trainer salary at companies like Liberty Healthcare and OneBlood are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Dynamics | $38,733 | $18.62 |
| 2 | JEAN-GEORGES MANAGEMENT | $37,964 | $18.25 |
| 3 | Liberty Healthcare | $35,696 | $17.16 |
| 4 | OneBlood | $32,679 | $15.71 |
| 5 | CSL Plasma | $32,571 | $15.66 |
| 6 | Isuzu Diesel Engines | $32,499 | $15.62 |
| 7 | Loudoun County Social Svc | $31,387 | $15.09 |
| 8 | Conduent | $29,499 | $14.18 |
| 9 | Liberty University | $28,653 | $13.78 |
| 10 | Burrell Behavioral Health | $27,870 | $13.40 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Service dog trainer salary trends
The average service dog trainer salary has risen by $6,010 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average service dog trainer earned $28,185 annually, but today, they earn $34,195 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for service dog trainers over the last decade.
Compare service dog trainer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average service dog trainer salary over time
Compare service dog trainer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Service dog trainer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,200 | $16.44 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | $33,000 | $15.87 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $31,800 | $15.28 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $31,300 | $15.06 | +4.1% |
| 2021 | $30,000 | $14.44 | +3.9% |
Recently added service dog trainer salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDx Solutions USA | Trainer, Clinical Services | Minneapolis, MN | 05/16/2025 | $80,000 |
| Louisiana MacHinery Company | Service Operations Trainer | Reserve, LA | 04/20/2025 | $50,000 |
| Medical Mutts | Service Dog Trainer | Indianapolis, IN | 09/25/2024 | $33,392 |
| Axis Communications | National Trainer, Educational Services | Chelmsford, MA | 07/29/2024 | $85,000 |
| United Musculoskeletal Partners | Health Services Trainer I | Golden, CO | 07/16/2024 | $49,800 |
| Aza | Service Dog Trainer | Sacramento, CA | 05/24/2024 | $52,175 |
| Jet Aviation | Trainer-Line & Ramp Services | Cahokia, IL | 03/22/2024 | $52,175 |
| Alabama Department of Education | Behavioral Trainer-Special Services Division | Mobile, AL | 03/21/2024 | $24,631 |
| Asbury Automotive | Automotive Fixed Operations Service Trainer (CO Market) | Boone, CO | 12/05/2023 | $80,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Great Plains | Health Services Trainer | Overland Park, KS | 10/30/2023 | $50,000 |
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