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Job title · SOC 33-9011

Animal Control Officer

01

Overview

Sourced

Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.

O*NET definition of Animal Control Workers (SOC 33-9011) · Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed.

11,170
in government (SOC 33-9011)
92%
of this occupation works for government
$45,620
median pay in government
Local
levels of government

Titles employers use

ACO (Animal Control Officer)Animal Enforcement OfficerAnimal Park Code Enforcement OfficerAnimal Services OfficerAnimal AttendantAnimal Cruelty InvestigatorAnimal Instructor OfficerAnimal Ordinance Enforcement OfficerAnimal Safety OfficerCommunity Service Officer
How people usually get in Editorial
application + state certification in some states. Requirements vary by employer; each employer page will list its exact rules.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.

02

Requirements

Sourced
Typical entry requirements (BLS, SOC 33-9011)
Education needed to enter
High school diploma or equivalent
Related work experience
None
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training

Education workers say the job requires

High School Diploma or the equivalent
65%
Post-Secondary Certificate
19%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
12%
Bachelor's Degree
4%

Share of surveyed workers in Animal Control Workers (SOC 33-9011) naming each level as required to be hired, 26 respondents, O*NET survey August 2025. Each employer sets its own minimum.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

04

Academy and training

Sourced
Training to become competent (BLS)
SOC 33-9011
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Preparation level (O*NET)
Job zone
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed

Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.

06

Promotion ladder

Editorial

Civil-service class series: civil-service class series I → II → III → senior → supervisor → manager, each with a salary range. Typical structure for a civil-service class series; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.

  1. Trainee / Assistant
  2. Level I
  3. Level II (journey)
  4. Level III / Senior
  5. Lead / Principal
  6. Supervisor
  7. Manager
  8. Director / Division Chief

Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).

07

Pay

Sourced
Federal
Not published
State
$55,220
Local
$45,520
All government
$45,620
Private sector
$46,770

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

Employer typeWorkers10th pct.25thMedian75th90th
State90$47,740$48,800$55,220$65,870$74,230
Local11,080$32,760$37,580$45,520$57,440$69,250
All government11,170$32,810$37,630$45,620$57,600$69,270
Private sector910$35,460$39,520$46,770$52,000$59,260

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.

08

Schedule

Sourced
Work schedule
Regular
69%
Irregular
31%
Seasonal
0%
Typical work week
Less than 40 hours
4%
40 hours
46%
More than 40 hours
50%

Share of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2025). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

12

Day-to-day work

Sourced
  1. Write reports of activities, and maintain files of impoundments and dispositions of animals.4.8
  2. Investigate reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and writing reports.4.8
  3. Examine animals for injuries or malnutrition, and arrange for any necessary medical treatment.4.7
  4. Contact animal owners to inform them that their pets are at animal holding facilities.4.6
  5. Educate the public about animal welfare, and animal control laws and regulations.4.6
  6. Remove captured animals from animal-control service vehicles and place animals in shelter cages or other enclosures.4.5
  7. Capture and remove stray, uncontrolled, or abused animals from undesirable conditions, using nets, nooses, or tranquilizer darts as necessary.4.5
  8. Answer inquiries from the public concerning animal control operations.4.5
  9. Prepare for prosecutions related to animal treatment, and give evidence in court.4.5
  10. Supply animals with food, water, and personal care.4.4

The 10 most important of 15 core tasks for Animal Control Workers, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2025.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

13Derived
ATF Special Agent
Same job family
Border Patrol Agent
Same job family
Campus / University Police Officer
Same job family
CBP Officer (Customs & Border Protection)
Same job family
Community Service Officer (civilian police)
Same job family
Crime Scene Investigator / Forensic Technician
Same job family
DEA Special Agent
Same job family
Deputy Sheriff
Same job family
16

By state

Sourced

Median annual wage for Animal Control Workers (SOC 33-9011) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.

StateWorkers10th pct.Median90th pct.
Washington180$39,370$66,440$88,180
Oregon40$54,950$66,130$82,620
Alaska30$46,140$63,340$74,420
California1,210$47,570$62,630$78,880
Massachusetts280$44,370$60,930$78,180
Nevada100$32,100$58,810$74,610
Colorado170$43,870$58,470$74,230
Connecticut220$37,270$57,130$82,000
Rhode Island70$35,650$55,060$64,420
Iowa80$42,120$54,190$62,040
Wyoming40$40,390$53,870$60,540
Maryland140$39,420$53,330$81,450
New Jersey260$36,890$52,050$81,240
PennsylvaniaNot published$47,740$52,000$67,370
Montana50$40,230$50,530$57,190
Maine90$38,050$49,660$59,530
Virginia430$37,010$49,010$60,340
New Hampshire60$35,000$48,840$64,610
New York870$34,800$48,420$73,360
Michigan260$36,090$48,340$60,960
Arizona210$35,200$47,650$58,070
Utah200$33,280$47,210$64,860
Florida640$35,100$45,860$61,730
South Dakota50$32,670$45,530$56,900
Ohio290$31,940$45,220$59,470
North Carolina460$35,150$43,940$57,230
Idaho50$32,890$43,930$57,470
Texas1,300$34,440$43,250$54,550
Indiana340$29,120$43,000$59,890
Tennessee280$27,240$42,970$51,640
Illinois410$32,510$42,480$73,470
Missouri440$31,300$41,760$58,840
Kansas190$35,010$39,520$53,620
Georgia430$33,060$39,500$51,760
South Carolina180$28,800$38,790$47,470
Louisiana120$28,090$38,020$56,240
New Mexico260$31,250$37,800$46,380
Oklahoma380$27,300$37,450$49,940
Wisconsin120$29,840$37,380$69,790
Alabama290$27,880$37,340$54,060
Kentucky190$27,600$35,360$47,580
West Virginia90$27,660$35,120$41,590
Mississippi160$27,390$34,890$47,940
Arkansas180$24,390$34,410$43,890

44 states with published estimates.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Not yet collected

These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.

  • 03 Hiring process
    The steps in order and how long they take: application, written and physical tests, oral board, background check, polygraph, psychological and medical exams, eligibility list
    Not yet collected
  • 05 Probation
    Probation length and what ends it
    Not yet collected
  • 09 Benefits and pension
    Pension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
    Not yet collected
  • 10 Union contracts
    Bargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
    Not yet collected
  • 11 Transfers and lateral entry
    Lateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
    Not yet collected
  • 14 Exam practice
    Named entrance and licensing exams, with free practice tests where they exist
    Not yet collected
  • 15 Employer directory
    Every public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules
    Not yet collected