Dog trainers apply veterinary behavorial sciences to reinfoce desired behavior.
Dogs are known as man's best friend, and obedience training helps to strengthen that bond. Dog trainers may specialize in obedience training or service dog training. In the Los Angeles, California area, animal training is a rare profession. There are only 380 dog trainers estimated to be working in the metropolitan area as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Average Los Angeles Salary
Animal trainers who practice in Los Angeles and the surrounding area, including Long Beach and Glendale, earn median annual salaries of $39,530 as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Half of all animal trainers in the city earn between $24,620 and $49,440 each year. However, Salary Expert reports a higher average wage for trainers in Los Angeles: $50,335, as of January 2011.
Average Annual Salary
Nationwide, the average annual salary for animal trainers is $40,000 as of January 2011, according to Simply Hired. The middle 50 percent of all dog trainers who work nationwide receive hourly wages that range from $9.86 to $15.25 as of January 2011, according to PayScale. After overtime and miscellaneous earnings are totaled, dog trainers who work on an hourly basis earn average annual salaries between $22,114 and $42,600.
Salaries Around the Nation
Although there's a wide range of salaries for animal trainers depending on the portion of the country in which they work, earnings for the profession are generally low. In New York, with its high cost of living, trainers earn average annual salaries of $43,720. Trainers in Phoenix earn some of the lowest salaries in the business, receiving $26,978 each year.
Professional Organizations and Certifications
Although most states don't require professional dog trainers to receive a license before practicing their trade, many in the industry choose to become certified to boost their credibility. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers recognizes seven different certifications issued through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, the Animal Behavior Society, the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.
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