Animal Trainers Salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
The median pay for a animal trainers in New Orleans-Metairie, LA is $31,720/year ($15.25/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $30K at the entry level to $47K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.6), which stretches that salary to about $34,255 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,331/month — about 61.5% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $32K get you in New Orleans-Metairie?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by New Orleans-Metairie’s Regional Price Parity (92.6). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About animal trainers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Entry-level animal trainers (10th percentile) start around $30K. Mid-career wages sit at $32K. Top earners bring in $47K or more, a $16K spread from bottom to top.
Animal Trainers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $72K | +86% | 90 |
| Alabama | $58K | +51% | 220 |
| Oregon | $49K | +26% | 230 |
| California | $47K | +21% | 2,470 |
| Maryland | $46K | +20% | 600 |
| New York | $45K | +17% | 1,320 |
| Iowa | $45K | +17% | 120 |
| Connecticut | $43K | +12% | 380 |
| Washington | $43K | +10% | 570 |
| Montana | $43K | +10% | 60 |
| Arkansas | $42K | +10% | 200 |
| New Jersey | $42K | +8% | 340 |
| Pennsylvania | $42K | +7% | 630 |
| North Carolina | $41K | +5% | 740 |
| Wisconsin | $40K | +4% | 420 |
| South Dakota | $39K | +2% | 60 |
| Indiana | $39K | -1% | 560 |
| Georgia | $38K | -2% | 790 |
| Maine | $38K | -2% | 50 |
| West Virginia | $38K | -2% | 150 |
| North Dakota | $37K | -3% | 50 |
| Tennessee | $37K | -4% | 310 |
| District of Columbia | $37K | -6% | N/A |
| New Hampshire | $36K | -6% | 140 |
| Idaho | $36K | -6% | 130 |
| Florida | $36K | -7% | 1,570 |
| Nevada | $36K | -7% | 160 |
| Minnesota | $36K | -8% | 520 |
| Utah | $35K | -9% | 260 |
| Kansas | $35K | -9% | 230 |
| Mississippi | $35K | -9% | 50 |
| Illinois | $35K | -11% | 550 |
| Delaware | $35K | -11% | 90 |
| Nebraska | $35K | -11% | 80 |
| Michigan | $34K | -12% | 590 |
| Alaska | $34K | -13% | 80 |
| Texas | $33K | -14% | 790 |
| Oklahoma | $33K | -15% | 170 |
| Ohio | $33K | -15% | 970 |
| Arizona | $32K | -17% | 710 |
| South Carolina | $32K | -18% | 190 |
| Louisiana | $32K | -19% | 170 |
| New Mexico | $32K | -19% | 100 |
| Missouri | $31K | -21% | 600 |
| Kentucky | $30K | -24% | 310 |
Showing 1–10 of 45 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track animal trainers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New Orleans-Metairie numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do animal trainers make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median is $31,720 a year, that works out to about $15 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $30,410, and experienced animal trainers can clear $46,740. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $32K enough to live in New Orleans-Metairie?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,218/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,331/month, which eats 60% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a animal trainers salary go in New Orleans-Metairie?
New Orleans-Metairie has a Regional Price Parity of 92.6 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median animal trainers salary is worth about $34,255 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do animal trainers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.