How to Become A Dog Trainer in Montana
Montana employs approximately 80 dog trainers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,680 1. The state’s concentration of dog trainer jobs is 1.26x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Montana, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dog Trainer in Montana
How do I become a dog trainer in Montana? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for dog trainers in Montana.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do dog trainers earn in Montana? The median annual wage for dog trainers in Montana is $44,680 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,060 and experienced professionals can earn $57,860 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Montana): $44,680 per year 1
Dog Trainer Wages by Metro Area in Montana
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dog trainers in Montana? Montana currently employs approximately 80 dog trainers 1. Nationally, dog trainer employment is projected to grow 5.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Montana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Montana.
How much do dog trainers earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dog trainers in Montana is $44,680, which is $5,930 above the national median of $38,750 according to BLS data 1.
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
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / 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) |