How to Become a Dog Trainer in Colorado (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Colorado employs about 330 dog trainers earning a median $44,290 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Dog Trainer here means completing a short dog-training course or mentored practice; most states do not license dog trainers.

Colorado employs approximately 330 dog trainers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,290 1. Nationally, dog trainer employment is projected to grow 5.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 7,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Dog Trainer in Colorado, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: short dog-training course or mentored practice (find programs)
  • Typical timeline: a short dog-training course or mentored practice; most states do not license dog trainers
  • Median wage (Colorado): $44,290 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dog Trainer in Colorado

How to become a Dog Trainer in Colorado? Complete a short dog-training course or mentored practice; most states do not license dog trainers. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish a short dog-training course or mentored practice; most states do not license dog trainers. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.

Do I need a license in Colorado? No statewide license is required in most states. See the licensing section below.

What do dog trainers earn in Colorado? The median annual wage for dog trainers in Colorado is $44,290 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,420 and experienced professionals can earn $67,330 or more 1.

How to Become a Dog Trainer in Colorado

  1. Complete a short training course or mentor under a trainer. Finish a dog-obedience certificate or learn with an experienced trainer. This is not a DAS registered apprenticeship and not a veterinary license.
  2. Build handled-dog experience. Practice with client dogs under supervision. Hour totals vary; confirm with the program.
  3. Most states do not license this role. Do not apply to a licensing board. Veterinary, kennel, and racing credentials are different occupations.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Dog Trainer License Requirements in Colorado

Most states do not license dog trainers. The path is a short course or mentored practice, not a veterinary or racing license.

Typical path

  1. Complete a short course or mentored practice.

  2. Build handled-dog experience.

  3. Do not apply to a licensing board for this role.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the employer before you enroll.

Dog Trainer Wages by Metro Area in Colorado

Animal Trainers Wages by Metro Area in Colorado

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), animal trainers wages in Colorado vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Denver-Aurora-Centennial170$44,160$46,760$38,120$65,600
Colorado Springs40$58,090$68,260$36,020$109,050
Boulder30$46,510$48,330$39,030$47,400

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for dog trainers in Colorado? Colorado currently employs approximately 330 dog trainers 1. Nationally, dog trainer employment is projected to grow 5.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Colorado? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Colorado.

How much do dog trainers earn in Colorado compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dog trainers in Colorado is $44,290, which is $5,540 above the national median of $38,750 according to BLS data 1.

In Colorado

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)