Animal Trainers
SOC Code: 39-2011 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Animal Trainers. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs, CO | $37,003 | $54,787 | $72,550 | $90,334 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $44,554 | $59,592 | $74,610 | $89,648 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $40,331 | $55,640 | $70,928 | $86,237 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $32,448 | $49,712 | $66,997 | $84,261 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $42,536 | $56,368 | $70,221 | $84,053 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $35,880 | $51,293 | $66,706 | $82,118 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $35,880 | $51,293 | $66,706 | $82,118 |
| Modesto, CA | $41,059 | $54,330 | $67,621 | $80,891 |
| Worcester, MA | $35,963 | $50,939 | $65,915 | $80,891 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $34,861 | $50,149 | $65,437 | $80,725 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Instructing | 3.8 | |
| Speaking | 3.5 | |
| Learning Strategies | 3.5 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.4 | |
| Active Learning | 3.2 | |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | |
| Active Listening | 3.1 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 | |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.0 |
| Education and Training | 3.6 |
| Psychology | 3.2 |
| Administration and Management | 3.1 |
| English Language | 3.1 |
| Sales and Marketing | 2.8 |
| Administrative | 2.7 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 2.7 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 44.4% |
| Less than high school | 22.6% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 16.6% |
| Some college | 7.8% |
| Associate's degree | 6.8% |
| Bachelor's degree | 1.8% |
Typical Tasks
- Observe animals' physical conditions to detect illness or unhealthy conditions requiring medical care.
- Cue or signal animals during performances.
- Administer prescribed medications to animals.
- Evaluate animals to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training.
- Feed or exercise animals or provide other general care, such as cleaning or maintaining holding or performance areas.
- Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact.
- Keep records documenting animal health, diet, or behavior.
- Advise animal owners regarding the purchase of specific animals.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Atlassian JIRA Epic Systems Facebook Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word Oracle Database Oracle PeopleSoft SAP software Customer information control system CICS Database software
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