📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Animal Trainer Salary in Illinois (2026)

Illinois · 5.0% above national average · Medium Demand

Average
$43,344
per year
Median
$39,144
per year
Hourly
$20.84
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$27,699
25th Percentile — Junior$36,519
50th Percentile — Median$39,144
75th Percentile — Senior$56,364
90th Percentile — Top Earners$64,026
💡 Top-earning Animal Trainers in Illinois make up to $64,026 per year. The job market in Illinois is rated strong, with key industries including Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$36.5k
2021
$37.8k
2022
$39.1k
2023
$40.5k
2024
$41.9k
2025
$43.3k
2026
📈 Animal Trainer salaries in Illinois have followed the national trend with 3.5% annual growth. The strong presence in Illinois's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Animal Trainer Salary by City in Illinois
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Chicago $48,545 +12.0% Medium
Aurora $44,211 +2.0% Medium
🔍
Animal Trainer Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation

Illinois is home to a strong job market for Animal Trainers. The state's key industries — Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $43,344 per year, Illinois's Animal Trainer salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Illinois (index: 1.05) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Illinois can expect to earn $27,699–$36,519, while experienced Animal Trainers can command $56,364–$64,026.

Looking ahead, the Animal Trainer profession in Illinois is projected to grow at 3.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Finance continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Animal Trainer salary in Illinois is $43,344 per year in 2026, which is 5.0% above the national average of $41,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Animal Trainers the highest wages in Illinois due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Illinois has a strong job market with major industries in Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Animal Trainer employment.
  • At $43,344/year, Illinois Animal Trainer salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average of $41,280/year.