Animal Control Worker Salary
Animal Control Workers earn a median $45,660 a year nationally. Protective Service Occupations
U.S. median
$45,660
$21.95 per hour
Range
$33,090 – $68,070
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
12,070
across the U.S.
▼0.4%
Pay trend: The median for animal control workers in the U.S. fell from $45,830 (May 2024) to $45,660 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 2.8%.
What animal control workers do
Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.0% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 1,500
- Self-employed
- 10%
Employment of animal control workers is projected to grow 4.0% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Animal Control Worker take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$38,868
per year · effective tax rate 14.9%
$3,239Monthly
$1,619Twice a month
$1,495Every 2 weeks
$18.69Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,299
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,831
- Medicare (1.45%)$662
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$38,868
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,090 | $15.91 | $28,768 |
| 25th percentile | $37,750 | $18.15 | $32,512 |
| Median (50th) | $45,660 | $21.95 | $38,868 |
| 75th percentile | $57,060 | $27.43 | $48,028 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,070 | $32.73 | $56,717 |
Animal Control Worker salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $66,440 | +1.9% | $55,565 | $39,370 – $88,180 | 180 |
| Oregon | $66,130 | +0.0% | $50,359 | $54,950 – $82,620 | 40 |
| Alaska | $63,340 | +0.7% | $53,074 | $46,140 – $74,420 | 30 |
| California | $62,630 | −0.2% | $49,882 | $47,570 – $78,880 | 1,210 |
| Massachusetts | $60,930 | +1.3% | $48,311 | $44,370 – $78,180 | 280 |
| Nevada | $58,810 | −1.2% | $49,434 | $32,100 – $74,610 | 100 |
| Colorado | $58,470 | +2.8% | $47,296 | $43,870 – $74,230 | 170 |
| Connecticut | $57,130 | −2.4% | $46,438 | $37,270 – $82,000 | 220 |
| Rhode Island | $55,060 | −4.7% | $44,973 | $35,650 – $64,420 | 70 |
| Iowa | $54,190 | +12.5% | $44,314 | $42,120 – $62,040 | 80 |
| Wyoming | $53,870 | +4.4% | $45,465 | $40,390 – $60,540 | 40 |
| Maryland | $53,330 | +1.2% | $42,861 | $39,420 – $81,450 | 140 |
| New Jersey | $52,050 | +11.3% | $42,674 | $36,890 – $81,240 | 260 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,000 | +1.1% | $42,366 | $47,740 – $67,370 | — |
| Montana | $50,530 | +9.4% | $41,163 | $40,230 – $57,190 | 50 |
| Maine | $49,660 | +13.7% | $39,911 | $38,050 – $59,530 | 90 |
| Virginia | $49,010 | +0.3% | $39,556 | $37,010 – $60,340 | 430 |
| New Hampshire | $48,840 | −9.8% | $41,423 | $35,000 – $64,610 | 60 |
| New York | $48,420 | −1.6% | $39,068 | $34,800 – $73,360 | 870 |
| Michigan | $48,340 | −0.8% | $39,217 | $36,090 – $60,960 | 260 |
| Arizona | $47,650 | +0.8% | $39,484 | $35,200 – $58,070 | 210 |
| Utah | $47,210 | +1.1% | $38,955 | $33,280 – $64,860 | 200 |
| Florida | $45,860 | +1.0% | $39,029 | $35,100 – $61,730 | 640 |
| South Dakota | $45,530 | −8.2% | $38,763 | $32,670 – $56,900 | 50 |
| Ohio | $45,220 | +0.6% | $38,053 | $31,940 – $59,470 | 290 |
| North Carolina | $43,940 | +2.7% | $36,241 | $35,150 – $57,230 | 460 |
| Idaho | $43,930 | +5.4% | $36,258 | $32,890 – $57,470 | 50 |
| Texas | $43,250 | −0.4% | $36,931 | $34,440 – $54,550 | 1,300 |
| Indiana | $43,000 | −7.1% | $35,492 | $29,120 – $59,890 | 340 |
| Tennessee | $42,970 | −0.1% | $36,706 | $27,240 – $51,640 | 280 |
| Illinois | $42,480 | −4.8% | $34,355 | $32,510 – $73,470 | 410 |
| Missouri | $41,760 | −7.8% | $34,709 | $31,300 – $58,840 | 440 |
| Kansas | $39,520 | −8.6% | $32,529 | $35,010 – $53,620 | 190 |
| Georgia | $39,500 | +0.4% | $32,491 | $33,060 – $51,760 | 430 |
| South Carolina | $38,790 | −6.7% | $32,177 | $28,800 – $47,470 | 180 |
| Louisiana | $38,020 | −0.5% | $31,975 | $28,090 – $56,240 | 120 |
| New Mexico | $37,800 | +4.7% | $31,894 | $31,250 – $46,380 | 260 |
| Oklahoma | $37,450 | +3.7% | $31,131 | $27,300 – $49,940 | 380 |
| Wisconsin | $37,380 | −20.0% | $31,351 | $29,840 – $69,790 | 120 |
| Alabama | $37,340 | +0.9% | $30,581 | $27,880 – $54,060 | 290 |
| Kentucky | $35,360 | −1.8% | $29,472 | $27,600 – $47,580 | 190 |
| West Virginia | $35,120 | −4.8% | $29,463 | $27,660 – $41,590 | 90 |
| Mississippi | $34,890 | +1.2% | $29,551 | $27,390 – $47,940 | 160 |
| Arkansas | $34,410 | +3.2% | $28,699 | $24,390 – $43,890 | 180 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gambling Surveillance Officer and Gambling Investigator | $43,370 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.8% |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,540 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.0% |
| Private Detective and Investigator | $51,220 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.5% |
| Crossing Guard and Flagger | $38,100 | No formal educational credential | +3.5% |
| Security Guard | $38,020 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.9% |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,100 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.9% |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $33,580 | No formal educational credential | +5.5% |
| Transportation Security Screener | $66,770 | High school diploma or equivalent | -4.2% |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $46,730 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.1% |
| First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers | $55,940 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a animal control worker make?
The national median salary for animal control workers is $45,660 a year ($21.95 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,090 and the top 10% earn over $68,070. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays animal control workers the most?
Washington has the highest median pay at $66,440.
How many animal control workers are there in the U.S.?
About 12,070 people work as animal control workers nationwide.