How much does a animal control worker make?
The median animal control worker in the United States earns $45,660 per year, about $21.95 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all animal control workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 33-9011.
Animal control worker salary range
Pay for animal control workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $33,090 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $68,070. The average (mean) wage of $48,440 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,090 | $15.91 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $37,750 | $18.15 | |
| Median (50th) | $45,660 | $21.95 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $57,060 | $27.44 | |
| 90th percentile | $68,070 | $32.72 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for animal control workers (SOC 33-9011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Animal control worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Animal control workers earn the most in Washington at $66,440 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $34,410. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $66,440 | 180 |
| Oregon | $66,130 | 40 |
| Alaska | $63,340 | 30 |
| California | $62,630 | 1,210 |
| Massachusetts | $60,930 | 280 |
| Nevada | $58,810 | 100 |
| Colorado | $58,470 | 170 |
| Connecticut | $57,130 | 220 |
| Rhode Island | $55,060 | 70 |
| Iowa | $54,190 | 80 |
| Wyoming | $53,870 | 40 |
| Maryland | $53,330 | 140 |
| New Jersey | $52,050 | 260 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,000 | N/A |
| Montana | $50,530 | 50 |
| Maine | $49,660 | 90 |
| Virginia | $49,010 | 430 |
| New Hampshire | $48,840 | 60 |
| New York | $48,420 | 870 |
| Michigan | $48,340 | 260 |
| Arizona | $47,650 | 210 |
| Utah | $47,210 | 200 |
| Florida | $45,860 | 640 |
| South Dakota | $45,530 | 50 |
| Ohio | $45,220 | 290 |
| North Carolina | $43,940 | 460 |
| Idaho | $43,930 | 50 |
| Texas | $43,250 | 1,300 |
| Indiana | $43,000 | 340 |
| Tennessee | $42,970 | 280 |
| Illinois | $42,480 | 410 |
| Missouri | $41,760 | 440 |
| Kansas | $39,520 | 190 |
| Georgia | $39,500 | 430 |
| South Carolina | $38,790 | 180 |
| Louisiana | $38,020 | 120 |
| New Mexico | $37,800 | 260 |
| Oklahoma | $37,450 | 380 |
| Wisconsin | $37,380 | 120 |
| Alabama | $37,340 | 290 |
| Kentucky | $35,360 | 190 |
| West Virginia | $35,120 | 90 |
| Mississippi | $34,890 | 160 |
| Arkansas | $34,410 | 180 |
State median wages for animal control workers (SOC 33-9011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for animal control workers
The BLS projects employment of animal control workers to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 13,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 14,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,500 openings a year for animal control workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an animal control worker
The typical entry-level education for animal control workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an animal control worker earns
Employer, region, seniority, rank, and overtime shape take-home pay. Large departments, unions, and high cost areas raise the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $66,440) and the lowest (Arkansas, $34,410) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 12,070 people work as animal control workers in the United States. At $45,660 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Animal control worker salary FAQ
How much does an animal control worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an animal control worker is $21.95. The middle half of animal control workers earn between $18.15 and $27.44 per hour.
What is the highest animal control worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of animal control workers earn more than $68,070 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an animal control worker make a year?
The median annual salary for an animal control worker is $45,660. The average (mean) wage of $48,440 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an animal control worker a well paid job?
At $45,660 a year, an animal control worker earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 12,070 people work as animal control workers in the United States.
Which state pays animal control workers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for animal control workers at $66,440 a year. Oregon ($66,130) and Alaska ($63,340) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an animal control worker a good career?
Employment of animal control workers is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an animal control worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for animal control workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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