Animal Trainers vs Manicurists and Pedicurists: $40K vs $36K Median Pay

Animal Trainers vs Manicurists and Pedicurists: what changes?

Consider Animal Trainers if you want to train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or for assisting persons with disabilities. Consider Manicurists and Pedicurists if you would rather clean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails. Entry credentials differ: Animal Trainers, high school diploma or equivalent; Manicurists and Pedicurists, postsecondary nondegree award.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Animal Trainers and Manicurists and Pedicurists. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Animal Trainers

National median pay (2025): $39,990
Route into the job: High school diploma or equivalent; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.
Work to investigate: Cue or signal animals during performances.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 6,500

Know before you choose

Long periods of standing are part of the normal workday.

See the full Animal Trainers brief

Manicurists and Pedicurists

National median pay (2025): $35,760
Route into the job: Postsecondary nondegree award
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Clean and sanitize tools and work environment.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 21,900

Know before you choose

The work can involve real occupational hazards. Training, protective equipment, and routine safety discipline matter every day.

See the full Manicurists and Pedicurists brief

How the national numbers differ

Manicurists and Pedicurists has the edge on annual openings

Manicurists and Pedicurists is at 21,900 annual openings, compared with 6,500 annual openings for Animal Trainers.

Manicurists and Pedicurists has the edge on projected growth

Manicurists and Pedicurists is at 9.2% projected growth, compared with 4.2% projected growth for Animal Trainers.

Animal Trainers has the edge on median pay

Animal Trainers is at $39,990, compared with $35,760 for Manicurists and Pedicurists.

48.7/ 100

Animal Trainers

59.6/ 100

Manicurists and Pedicurists

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence