Occupation · SOC 39-2011
Animal Trainers
Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or for 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.
Median wage
$38,750
$29,120–$70,800
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
20,110
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
46 mapped
Core skills
InstructingSpeakingLearning StrategiesCritical ThinkingActive LearningMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingActive ListeningTime ManagementSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingWritingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisReading ComprehensionPersuasionManagement of Personnel ResourcesNegotiationQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringManagement of Material ResourcesMathematicsTroubleshootingTechnology DesignScienceOperations AnalysisOperation and ControlManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingEquipment SelectionRepairingInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingPsychologyAdministration and ManagementEnglish LanguageSales and MarketingAdministrativePersonnel and Human ResourcesBiologyPublic Safety and SecurityEconomics and AccountingComputers and ElectronicsSociology and AnthropologyLaw and GovernmentMathematicsMedicine and DentistryTherapy and CounselingProduction and ProcessingCommunications and MediaMechanicalEngineering and TechnologyTransportationGeographyBuilding and ConstructionTelecommunicationsDesignForeign LanguageChemistryPhilosophy and TheologyHistory and ArcheologyPhysicsFine ArtsFood Production
Technology & tools
Atlassian JIRACustomer information control system CICSDatabase softwareEpic SystemsFacebookMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordOracle DatabaseOracle PeopleSoftSAP softwareTracks SoftwareWork scheduling software
Representative tasks
Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesTraining and Teaching OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicThinking CreativelyCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsGetting InformationCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkCoaching and Developing OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesSelling or Influencing OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsDeveloping and Building TeamsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesProcessing InformationMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesWorking with ComputersAnalyzing Data or InformationOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationStaffing Organizational UnitsControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Basic animal care routines — follow established protocols to feed, water, and exercise animals under direct trainer supervision at a kennel or training facility.Animal holding and performance areas — clean and maintain designated spaces according to facility hygiene standards under close oversight.Hand signals and verbal cues — observe and practice delivery of simple cue sequences during supervised training sessions with familiar animals.Human-animal familiarization — talk to and handle animals consistently to build basic comfort and trust under the guidance of a lead trainer.Animal physical condition — recognize obvious signs of illness or injury and report observations promptly to supervising staff.Prescribed medications — administer basic treatments to animals following written instructions and under direct supervision of credentialed staff.Training logs and health records — enter daily feeding, behavior, and care notes into a standardized paper or software-based record system.Animal temperament — assist in basic evaluations of individual animal responses to stimuli, recording results for review by senior trainers.Training area equipment — set up and break down basic props and equipment according to a provided checklist before and after sessions.Facility software tools — use office suite and email applications to receive assignments, submit daily care reports, and communicate with team members.
developing
Structured training programs — conduct routine obedience and behavioral conditioning sessions for individual animals with reduced oversight in a shelter or entertainment setting.Verbal and non-verbal cue delivery — apply consistent hand signals and voice commands across multiple training sessions to reinforce desired animal behaviors.Animal temperament assessment — evaluate familiar animals' aptitude and readiness for advanced training tasks using established behavioral checklists.Health observation and escalation — monitor animals' physical conditions across daily interactions and initiate appropriate care responses when abnormalities are detected.Medication administration — manage prescribed treatment schedules for multiple animals, documenting dosages and responses accurately in a digital records system.Feeding and exercise regimens — adjust standard care routines based on individual animal needs, activity levels, or veterinary guidance at a mid-sized training facility.Performance cueing — signal and guide animals through rehearsed sequences during live or practice performances with limited supervisory intervention.Behavioral records — maintain detailed, up-to-date logs of animal health, diet, and training progress using spreadsheet or database software.Client communication — speak clearly with animal owners or handlers about training progress, home reinforcement strategies, and care recommendations.Time management across caseloads — organize daily training schedules for multiple animals, balancing care duties and session preparation within facility time constraints.
proficient
Comprehensive training program design — develop and implement individualized behavioral conditioning plans for animals across competition, entertainment, security, or obedience contexts with full autonomy.Complex behavioral shaping — apply advanced learning strategies to modify difficult or non-routine animal behaviors, selecting appropriate reinforcement techniques based on species and individual temperament.Full-scope health monitoring — assess animals' physical and psychological conditions independently, coordinating with veterinary professionals and adjusting care plans accordingly.Multi-animal performance coordination — cue and direct multiple animals through complex performance sequences, troubleshooting behavioral inconsistencies during live events.Aptitude and temperament evaluation — conduct thorough assessments of animals with unknown histories to determine suitability for specific training pathways and recommend placement decisions.Medication and treatment oversight — manage complete medication protocols for a roster of animals, identifying adverse reactions and liaising with veterinary staff to adjust regimens.Records and compliance management — maintain accurate, comprehensive health, diet, and behavioral databases ensuring regulatory and organizational compliance at a training facility.Client and stakeholder instruction — deliver clear, structured guidance to owners, handlers, or facility staff on reinforcing trained behaviors and sustaining animal welfare standards.Problem-solving in non-routine situations — diagnose and respond to unexpected behavioral setbacks or health concerns during training or performance using critical thinking and deductive reasoning.Technology integration — leverage project management and medical software to track training milestones, health data, and operational logistics across a full animal training operation.
advanced
Organizational training strategy — set the overall direction for animal training programs across a facility or multi-site organization, aligning methods with industry best practices and mission goals.Staff development and mentorship — coach emerging and developing trainers in behavioral science principles, cueing techniques, and animal welfare standards within a structured professional development program.Curriculum and protocol authorship — design and publish standardized training curricula, care protocols, and assessment tools adopted facility-wide or across a network of trainers.Regulatory and welfare leadership — lead compliance with animal welfare regulations, licensing requirements, and industry accreditation standards, serving as the primary authority for inspections and audits.Behavioral program evaluation — analyze aggregate training outcomes, health records, and incident reports to identify systemic issues and drive continuous improvement across the organization.Veterinary and cross-functional collaboration — partner with veterinarians, behaviorists, and facility managers to develop integrated health and training policies that span the full animal care continuum.Stakeholder and client relations — represent the organization to high-profile clients, partner agencies, or media, communicating program value and training philosophy with authority and clarity.Budget and resource management — oversee staffing, equipment, and supply budgets for the training department, making data-informed decisions that balance animal welfare with operational sustainability.Innovation in training methodology — lead the adoption of emerging behavioral research and technology tools, piloting new approaches and evaluating their effectiveness before organization-wide rollout.Crisis and incident leadership — direct the organizational response to serious animal health events, behavioral incidents, or public safety situations, coordinating staff action and external communications.
Also known as
51 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Agility InstructorAnimal HandlerAnimal TrainerBronc BreakerBronc BusterCanine HandlerCanine Service TeacherCat GroomerDog GroomerDog HandlerDog Obedience InstructorDog Show JudgeDog TrainerDolphin TrainerElephant TamerEquestrianEquestrian TrainerExplosive Detection K-9 Handler (Explosive Detection Canine Handler)Guide Dog InstructorGuide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI)Guide Dog TrainerHandlerHearing Dog TrainerHorse BreakerHorse TrainerHorse WranglerHorsemanLicensed Guide Dog InstructorLion TamerLion TrainerMarine Animal TrainerMarine Mammal TrainerMonkey TrainerObedience TrainerOutriderPet GroomerPet HandlerPet TrainerPet Training InstructorRacehorse Trainer