How Much Do Dog Trainers Make? Average Dog Trainer Salary in 2025
For aspiring canine professionals, prospective salary is a topic of great interest. Understanding the earning potential for pet professionals can provide valuable insights and motivation for those considering becoming a dog trainer.
It is important to note that dog trainer salaries may vary depending on the state in which you reside. This guide will help you understand the factors that affect how salaries are determined so you can make the most educated career decision for yourself.
The Average Dog Trainer’s Salary in the US
Depending on certain criteria, your salary as a dog trainer can vary greatly. The average salary for US-based dog trainers according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is $44,910 per year, but leadership roles in the industry can pay upwards of $60,000 - $70,000 per year. Self-employed dog trainers can make a similar amount depending on their experience and marketing skills.
Breakdown of Dog Trainer Salaries by State
Your specialization, education, experience, location, and whether you are self-employed or not are the main drivers of earning potential for professional dog trainers. Other factors like working with high-end clientele, obtaining professional certifications, having expertise with specific training methods, and building a strong reputation can also affect dog trainers' salaries.
Here are the average salaries for dog trainers broken down by state:
| State | Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $45,950 |
| Alaska | $35,670 |
| Arizona | $40,310 |
| Arkansas | $47,470 |
| California | $46,210 |
| Colorado | $42,920 |
| Connecticut | $51,490 |
| Delaware | $42,240 |
| Washington DC | $37,480 |
| Florida | $43,000 |
| Georgia | $46,870 |
| Hawaii | $49,310 |
| Idaho | $36,270 |
| Illinois | $34,960 |
| Indiana | $46,220 |
| Iowa | $48,400 |
| Kansas | $38,960 |
| Kentucky | $42,570 |
| Louisiana | $33,900 |
| Maine | $40,180 |
| Maryland | $59,330 |
| Massachusetts | Unknown |
| Michigan | $38,150 |
| Minnesota | $46,230 |
| Mississippi | $48,130 |
| Missouri | $48,550 |
| Montana | $46,050 |
| Nebraska | $34,320 |
| Nevada | $37,430 |
| New Hampshire | $33,710 |
| New Jersey | $43,870 |
| New Mexico | $43,850 |
| New York | $54,330 |
| North Carolina | $41,230 |
| North Dakota | $40,730 |
| Ohio | $53,050 |
| Oklahoma | $44,240 |
| Oregon | $52,270 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,680 |
| Rhode Island | Unknown |
| South Carolina | $39,140 |
| South Dakota | $42,130 |
| Tennessee | $48,800 |
| Texas | $34,610 |
| Utah | $32,060 |
| Vermont | Unknown |
| Virginia | $39,930 |
| Washington | $53,780 |
| West Virginia | $36,990 |
| Wisconsin | $38,600 |
| Wyoming | Unknown |
How A Dog Trainer’s Pay Is Determined
There are multiple factors that go into how much you can make as a dog trainer, and your pay can vary throughout your career.
Employed Vs. Self-Employed
Most dog trainers either work for themselves or under another trainer. Those who work for themselves have the ability to earn more, but they take on more risk and responsibility than those who are employed by others. Dog trainers working in shelters and rescues usually make less than those working for private companies.
Your Specialization
Some types of training naturally pay more than others. Specialized trainers–like those for service dogs, protection dogs, and scentwork dogs–make more than general trainers. Trainers who do behavior modification work usually make more than those training for skills or “obedience.”
Your Education
The better your dog training education, the more you’re likely to make starting out, especially if you’re working for someone else. As a self-employed trainer, you might also want to pursue some sort of business education.
Your Experience
The more experience you have, the more earning potential you have. This is true whether you work for someone else or you’re self-employed.
Your Location
In large cities with higher costs of living, you can usually expect to earn more than you would in a less populated area.
Calculating Your Income As a Dog Trainer
Your income structure depends on whether you’re working for someone else or self-employed. If you’re working for someone else (like a shelter or larger training facility), you’ll almost certainly be paid an hourly wage.
If you run your own training business, however, your earnings will depend on how many dogs you train and how much you charge for your training packages.
For example, say you charge $60 per session and schedule 5 sessions per day. Your pay would be calculated like this:
$60 per session X 5 sessions per day = $300 per day
If you work 5 days a week and take 2 weeks of vacation every year, your annual earnings would look like…
$300 per day X 5 days per week X 50 working weeks per year = $75,000
Many dog trainers supplement their one-on-one training income with group classes. If you charged $15 per dog per class, taught 8 dogs per class, and offered 3 group classes per week, you could add this much to your income:
$15 per dog X 8 dogs per class X 3 classes per week = $360 per week
$360 per week X 50 working weeks per year = $18,000 per year
As a business owner, you’d also be responsible for paying for your business expenses. Luckily, those are usually incredibly low for independent trainers. You’d need to pay for insurance, treats and toys, and transportation to and from clients. If you’re teaching a group class, you might also need to rent a facility in case of inclement weather. But those expenses are relatively small compared to your earning potential.
Joseph Schifano
Joseph Schifano is the President of The Academy of Pet Careers and the Founder of DogNerdly.
With over 20 years of professional pet experience, Joseph began his journey as the owner/operator of a successful seven-figure pet care business. He later acquired The Academy of Pet Careers, aiming to elevate the quality of care provided by industry professionals. This position enabled him to connect with leading experts in the field and deepen his knowledge in all aspects of pet care.
