Also called: Movie Animal Trainer, Animal Coordinator
Trains dogs, cats, birds, and even bears to perform in movies, TV, and commercials.
Film animal trainers teach animals to hit marks and do tricks on cue, then work on set handling them through take after take, with American Humane monitors watching.
Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 4 years after high school. On-the-job training with animal training companies; animal science degree helps.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Self-taught. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Animal Science, Psychology.
Growing much faster than average (about 9% over 10 years).
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. CGI and AI-made animals already replace some ad and film roles; on-set work with real animals stays hands-on.
Classes: Animal science CTE, Psychology, Biology, Theater.
Official data: O*NET occupation 39-2011.
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