Animal Control Workers
SOC code 33-9011 · O*NET-SOC 33-9011.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Legal and protective services
Animal Control Workers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$45,660
a year
Hourly
$21.95
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$48,440
$23.29 per hour
Middle 50%
$37,750 – $57,060
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$33,090 – $68,070
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
12,070
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $33,090
- $15.91/hr
- 25th percentile
- $37,750
- $18.15/hr
- Median percentile
- $45,660
- $21.95/hr
- 75th percentile
- $57,060
- $27.44/hr
- 90th percentile
- $68,070
- $32.72/hr
What does an animal control worker do?
Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Write reports of activities, and maintain files of impoundments and dispositions of animals.
- Investigate reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and writing reports.
- Examine animals for injuries or malnutrition, and arrange for any necessary medical treatment.
- Contact animal owners to inform them that their pets are at animal holding facilities.
- Educate the public about animal welfare, and animal control laws and regulations.
- Remove captured animals from animal-control service vehicles and place animals in shelter cages or other enclosures.
- Answer inquiries from the public concerning animal control operations.
- Capture and remove stray, uncontrolled, or abused animals from undesirable conditions, using nets, nooses, or tranquilizer darts as necessary.
How to become an animal control worker
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 65% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)65%
- Post-Secondary Certificate19%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree12%
- Bachelor's Degree4%
Common questions
How much does an animal control worker earn?
The national median is $45,660 a year. The full range runs from $33,090 at the 10th percentile to $68,070 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an animal control worker without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Speaking3.6/5
- Critical Thinking3.5/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Writing3.0/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security4.5/5
- Law and Government4.5/5
- English Language4.3/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Administrative3.6/5
- Education and Training3.3/5
- Biology3.1/5
- Telecommunications3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Service Orientation, Judgment and Decision Making.