Bright outlook
Personal care and service
Animal Caretakers
- Median pay
- $35,360
- Outlook
- Much faster than average
High school diploma
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Coordination
SOC 33-9011.00
Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.
Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
Annual pay range
12,070 people work in this occupation.
In short
Animal control workers manage abandoned, dangerous, or mistreated animals to protect both the public and the animals. This career offers a median annual pay of $45,660, with opportunities for steady employment across the country.
Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.
Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.
Usually a high school diploma; some on-the-job training or experience.
People in this career, often called animal control officers or animal cruelty investigators, focus on public safety and animal welfare. Their daily tasks involve capturing unattended or hazardous animals, investigating reports of animal abuse, and operating specialized vehicles and equipment. This is a highly active role that requires physical stamina to handle animals and navigate various outdoor environments.
Success in this field relies heavily on realistic interests and strong communication skills. Workers must document their investigations, make quick decisions during stressful situations, and interact directly with the public to resolve conflicts or explain local laws. Key knowledge areas include public safety, government regulations, and customer service. To handle the challenges of this job, workers need high stress tolerance, self-control, empathy, and cautiousness, as they frequently deal with distressed animals and concerned citizens.
Entering this field typically requires a high school diploma. Because it is classified as an occupation needing some preparation, most workers gain their skills through on-the-job training or prior experience in animal handling. While there are no specific college majors designated for this career, candidates can enhance their credentials by earning certifications, such as the NACA ACO I credential from the National Animal Care and Control Association.
Depending on where you plan to work, some states list specific licensing requirements for animal control staff. Aspiring workers should check their local state guidelines to see if a license is necessary to practice in their area.
In 2025, the median annual pay for animal control workers was $45,660. Earnings can vary based on experience and location, with the lowest 10% earning less than $33,090 and the highest 10% earning more than $68,070.
With 12,070 people employed in this field, the occupation is projected to grow by 4% from 2025 to 2035, which is as fast as the average for all jobs. This growth, combined with normal staff turnover, is expected to result in about 1,500 job openings each year.
Interest code RCI. Compare it with yours
ACO (Animal Control Officer) · Adoption Counselor · Animal Attendant · Animal Control Specialist · Animal Cop · Animal Cruelty Investigator · Animal Enforcement Officer · Animal Instructor Officer · Animal Officer · Animal Ordinance Enforcement Officer
CareerOneStop
What animal control workers may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.
Core certifications employers recognise for this work.
3 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.
PROBLEM ANIMAL CONTROL AGENT
Alligator Control Agent Certification
Licensing, Customer Support Section, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.
Your plan
Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.
Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.
People in this profession are known by several names, including Animal Control Officers (ACOs), animal cruelty investigators, animal enforcement officers, and adoption counselors.
No, a college degree is not typically required. A high school diploma combined with on-the-job training or relevant experience is the standard entry path.
Workers can pursue the NACA ACO I certification offered by the National Animal Care and Control Association to demonstrate their expertise.
Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.
Version 31.0
Version 2025-35 · Data year 2025
Version 2025 · Data year 2025
Version 2020 · Data year 2020
O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.
Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.
Page data updated November 5, 2026.