How long does dog trainer training take in South Dakota?

Most people become a Dog Trainer in South Dakota through a short dog-training course or mentored practice; most states do not license dog trainers.

Do dog trainers need a license in South Dakota?

No statewide license is required for dog trainers in South Dakota. See the licensing section above for the credential path.

How to Become a Dog Trainer in South Dakota (2026)

Q: How much do dog trainers earn in South Dakota?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), dog trainers in South Dakota earned a median annual wage of approximately $38,120. Employment concentration in South Dakota is roughly 0.62 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for dog trainers in South Dakota?

South Dakota currently employs approximately 30 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5.1% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Dakota animal trainers earn a median annual wage of $38,120 ($18.33/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 30 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -4.7% below the national median of $39,990 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $38,120 ($18.33/hr)
25th percentile: $31,080 per year
75th percentile: $42,210 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $44,780 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $30,530 per year
Workers employed in South Dakota: 30
Versus national median: -4.7% below the U.S. median of $39,990
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.62 - this occupation is less concentrated in South Dakota than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

South Dakota employs about 30 dog trainers earning a median $38,120 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.

South Dakota employs approximately 30 dog trainers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,120 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 South Dakota, 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 (South Dakota): $38,120 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dog Trainer in South Dakota

How to become a Dog Trainer in South Dakota? 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 South Dakota? No statewide license is required in most states. See the licensing section below.

What do dog trainers earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for dog trainers in South Dakota is $38,120 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $30,530 and experienced professionals can earn $44,780 or more ¹.

How to Become a Dog Trainer in South Dakota

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.
Build handled-dog experience. Practice with client dogs under supervision. Hour totals vary; confirm with the program.
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 South Dakota

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

Typical path

Complete a short course or mentored practice.
Build handled-dog experience.
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 South Dakota

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for dog trainers in South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 30 dog trainers ¹. Nationally, dog trainer employment is projected to grow 5.1% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do dog trainers earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dog trainers in South Dakota is $38,120, which is $630 below the national median of $38,750 according to BLS data ¹.

In South Dakota

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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

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)