Animal Behaviorist Salary in Surfside, CA

How much does an Animal Behaviorist make in Surfside, CA?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Animal Behaviorist in Surfside, CA is $32,390 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $16.

However, an Animal Behaviorist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $36,583
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $29,670 to $34,585
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $27,194
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View as table View as graph 25% $29,670 10% $27,194 90% $36,583 75% $34,585 $32,390 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Animal Behaviorist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $34,585 $2,882 $665 $17
Average $32,390 $2,699 $623 $16
25th Percentile $29,670 $2,472 $571 $14
Check out Animal Behaviorist Job Openings in Surfside, CA
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Earn Haus - Surfside, CA

Associate Veterinarian

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Veterinary Innovative Partners - HEDGESVILLE, WV

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Key Factors That Influence Animal Behaviorist Salaries

An Animal Behaviorist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Animal Behaviorist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Animal Behaviorist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $32,503
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $32,956
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $33,687
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $33,787
  • Expert (over 8 years): $33,953
Levels Salary
Entry Level Animal Behaviorist$32,503
Intermediate Level Animal Behaviorist$32,956
Senior Level Animal Behaviorist$33,687
Specialist Level Animal Behaviorist$33,787
Expert Level Animal Behaviorist$33,953
$32,503 0 yr
$32,956 < 2 yrs
$33,687 2-4 yrs
$33,787 5-8 yrs
$33,953 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Animal Behaviorists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $37,325
  • San Francisco: $36,916
  • Oakland: $36,138

What Skills Can Increase an Animal Behaviorist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 9.68% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Asset Protection (Mentioned in 3.23% Job Postings): Asset protection is a component of financial planning intended to protect one's assets from creditor claims.
  • Credit Card (Mentioned in 3.23% Job Postings): A credit card is a type of credit facility, provided by banks that allow customers to borrow funds within a pre-approved credit limit.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 9.68%
Asset Protection 3.23%
Credit Card 3.23%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Animal Behaviorist's salary.
  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Guest Service: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Communication Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Written Communication
$36,924
14%
Guest Service
$35,629
10%
Communication Skills
$35,629
10%
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Animal Behaviorist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Animal Behaviorist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Animal Behaviorist positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Animal Behaviorist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Animal Behaviorist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$42,107$20.030%
Business Services$38,868$19.020%

Animal Behaviorist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Animal Behaviorist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Find Your Next Animal Behaviorist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Animal Behaviorist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Precious Paws Animal Hospital

    OCEAN CITY, MD

    Precious Paws Animal Hospital | OCEAN CITY, MD

    About Us. Precious Paws Animal Hospital is a small business in West Ocean City, Maryland. We are located just a few miles away from the beaches of Ocean Ci... more

    11 Months Ago

  • Kittery Animal Hospital

    KITTERY, ME

    Kittery Animal Hospital | KITTERY, ME

    Come to the beautiful coast of Maine. We are a privately owned practice with our seasoned staff. Our team is well trained, warm, welcoming, and collaborati... more

    8 Months Ago

  • Baxter Creek Veterinary Clinic

    BOZEMAN, MT

    Baxter Creek Veterinary Clinic | BOZEMAN, MT

    If you're looking to join an enjoyable, dynamic and growing clinic in the vibrant town of Bozeman, Montana, then you're in luck. Baxter Creek Veterinary Cl... more

    1 Month Ago

  • Richmond Hill Animal Hospital

    RICHMOND HILL, GA

    Richmond Hill Animal Hospital | RICHMOND HILL, GA

    Job Overview. We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Associate Veterinarian to join our dynamic veterinary team. The ideal candidate will possess a strong ... more

    7 Months Ago

  • Twinbrook Animal Clinic, Inc.

    VALENCIA, PA

    Twinbrook Animal Clinic, Inc. | VALENCIA, PA

    Twinbrook Animal Clinic in Valencia, PA (just north of Pittsburgh) is seeking an experienced relief veterinarian with strong surgical skills to help with o... more

    26 Days Ago

  • Greenwich Animal Hospital

    BELLE HAVEN, CT

    Greenwich Animal Hospital | BELLE HAVEN, CT

    Greenwich Animal Hospital seeks a Medical Lead to guide high-quality care for dogs, cats, and small animals in a full-service veterinary setting. In this o... more

    4 Days Ago

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