Occupation Profile

Animal Trainers

(SOC Code : 39-2011)

in California

Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or 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.

Employers usually expect an employee in this occupation to be able to do the job after Moderate-term on-the-job training (1-12 months) .

Occupational Wages

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Area	Year	Period	Hourly Mean	Hourly by Percentile
				25th	Median	75th
California	2012	1st Qtr	$18.68	$10.73	$14.37	$22.49

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Occupational Projections of Employment (also called "Outlook" or "Demand")

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Area	Estimated Year-Projected Year	Employment		Employment Change		Annual Avg Openings
		Estimated	Projected	Number	Percent
California	2010 - 2020	3,900	4,400	500	12.8	80

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Job Openings from JobCentral National Labor Exchange

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Enter a Zip Code Find a Zip code in California

Within miles of Zip Code.

Possible Licenses Required and Issuing Authority

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License Title

License Authority

Guide Dog Instructor License

Department of Consumer Affairs
Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind
www.guidedogboard.ca.gov

Occupational Participants in Horse Racing License

Department of Consumer Affairs
California Horse Racing Board
www.chrb.ca.gov

About Licenses

Industries Employing This Occupation (click on Industry Title to View Employers List)

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Industry Title

Number of Employers in State of California

Percent of Total
Employment for Occupation in State of California

Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers

16,190

12.7%

Other Personal Services

12,451

9.4%

Spectator Sports

732

8.5%

About Staffing Patterns

Training Programs (click on title for more information)

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Program Title

Animal Training

Equestrian/Equine Studies

About Training & Apprenticeships

About This Occupation (from O*NET - The Occupation Information Network)

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Top Tasks (Specific duties and responsibilities of this job.)

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.

Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact.

Feed or exercise animals or provide other general care, such as cleaning or maintaining holding or performance areas.

Conduct training programs in order to develop and maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding and related areas.

Keep records documenting animal health, diet, or behavior.

Advise animal owners regarding the purchase of specific animals.

Instruct jockeys in handling specific horses during races.

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Top Skills used in this Job

Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others` actions.

Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Time Management - Managing one`s own time and the time of others.

More Skills for Animal Trainers

Data for Tasks not available.

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Top Work Values (Aspects of this job that create satisfaction.)

Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions.

Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

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Top Interests (The types of activities someone in this job would like.)

Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

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