Animal Control Workers
Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.
Also called: ACO (Animal Control Officer) · Animal Attendant · Animal Cruelty Investigator · Animal Enforcement Officer · Animal Instructor Officer · Animal Ordinance Enforcement Officer
Median pay (national)
$45,830
$32,880–$69,990 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
11,790
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+3.9%
~1,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for animal control workers shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $69,990 versus $32,880 at the bottom 10% — 2.1x. The median of $45,830 leaves roughly 53% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +3.9% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 1,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 45 states with released data, Oregon pays the most for this role (median $66,110, +44% vs the national median), while Arkansas sits lowest at $33,350 — a 98% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Write reports of activities, and maintain files of impoundments and dispositions of animals.
- 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.
- Supply animals with food, water, and personal care.
- Issue warnings or citations in connection with animal-related offenses, or contact police to report violations and request arrests.
- Clean facilities and equipment such as dog pens and animal control trucks.
- Organize the adoption of unclaimed animals.
- Examine animal licenses, and inspect establishments housing animals for compliance with laws.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Windows
- SAP software
- Animal Shelter Manager
- ARK Software Ark Shelter Software
- CISCO Software ACS Animal Control System
- Esri ArcGIS
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Geographic information system GIS systems
- Multiple Options Animal Shelter Management System
- RescueConnection Software ShelterConntection
- RoseRush Services Shelter Pro
- TRAX Animal Control and Dog Warden Officer Software
- Web browser software
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
- Education and Training
- Biology
- Telecommunications