Animal Control Worker Salary in 2026
How Much Do Animal Control Workers Make?
Animal Control Workers earn a median annual salary of $45,830 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $32,880 at the 10th percentile to $69,990 at the 90th percentile — a range of $37,110. The highest-paying state is Oregon at $66,110.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,880 |
| 25th percentile | $38,160 |
| Median (50th) | $45,830 |
| 75th percentile | $57,110 |
| 90th percentile | $69,990 |
Animal Control Worker Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregontop | $66,110 |
| Washington | $65,210 |
| Alaska | $62,870 |
| California | $62,760 |
| Massachusetts | $60,120 |
| Nevada | $59,500 |
| Connecticut | $58,510 |
| Rhode Island | $57,790 |
| Colorado | $56,890 |
| New Hampshire | $54,170 |
| Maryland | $52,710 |
| Wyoming | $51,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,440 |
| South Dakota | $49,590 |
| New York | $49,210 |
| Virginia | $48,850 |
| Michigan | $48,710 |
| Iowa | $48,160 |
| Arizona | $47,260 |
| New Jersey | $46,750 |
| Wisconsin | $46,720 |
| Utah | $46,690 |
| Indiana | $46,280 |
| Montana | $46,180 |
| Florida | $45,400 |
| Missouri | $45,280 |
| Ohio | $44,950 |
| Illinois | $44,630 |
| Maine | $43,660 |
| Texas | $43,410 |
| Kansas | $43,250 |
| Tennessee | $43,020 |
| North Carolina | $42,800 |
| Idaho | $41,670 |
| South Carolina | $41,560 |
| Georgia | $39,330 |
| Louisiana | $38,200 |
| Alabama | $36,990 |
| West Virginia | $36,890 |
| Oklahoma | $36,110 |
| New Mexico | $36,090 |
| Kentucky | $36,000 |
| Vermont | $34,850 |
| Mississippi | $34,480 |
| Arkansas | $33,350 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Animal Control Workers
Animal Control Worker Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$32,880 – $38,160 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$45,830 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$57,110 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $69,990+ |
How to Earn More as an Animal Control Worker
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Animal Control Workers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $76,170 — $30,340 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($57,110) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Animal Control Worker Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Animal Control Workerthis career | $45,830 |
| Environmental Compliance Inspector | $78,420 |
| Coroner | $78,420 |
| Animal Scientist | $79,120 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologist | $72,860 |
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SOC: 33-9011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.