Animal Trainers Salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
The median pay for a animal trainers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC is $94,390/year ($45.38/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $30K at the entry level to $94K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.94), that's roughly $96,375 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,713/month, or 28.7% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $94K get you in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
About animal trainers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Entry-level animal trainers (10th percentile) start around $30K. Mid-career wages sit at $94K.Top earners bring in $94K or more - a $65K 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 |
Track animal trainers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do animal trainers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median is $94,390 a year - that works out to about $45.38 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,740, and experienced animal trainers can clear $94,470. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $94K enough to live in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,823/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,713/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 29.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a animal trainers salary go in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk has a Regional Price Parity of 97.94 (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 $96,375 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.