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), Adoption Counselor, Animal Attendant, Animal Control Specialist, Animal Cop, Animal Cruelty Investigator
Median pay
$45,660
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$33,090 – $68,070
People employed
12,070
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 2.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 3.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 4.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Exposure to disease or infection
- Dealing with conflict is part of the job
Animal Control Workers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (44 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What animal control workers do
- 01Write reports of activities, and maintain files of impoundments and dispositions of animals.
- 02Investigate reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and writing reports.
- 03Examine animals for injuries or malnutrition, and arrange for any necessary medical treatment.
- 04Contact animal owners to inform them that their pets are at animal holding facilities.
- 05Educate the public about animal welfare, and animal control laws and regulations.
- 06Remove captured animals from animal-control service vehicles and place animals in shelter cages or other enclosures.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Self-Control
- Stress Tolerance
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from animal control workers
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers87% · +67%
- Fish and Game Wardens85% · +62%
- Transit and Railroad Police81% · +98%
- Animal Trainers80% · −12%
- Police Identification and Records Officers79% · group pay
Change into animal control workers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Animal Trainers82% · $39,990
- Animal Caretakers81% · $35,360
- Parking Enforcement Workers77% · $46,730
- Police Identification and Records Officers77% · $93,790
- Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians73% · $35,450