Animal control workers
Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.
Animal control workers handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals. The role reports a median annual salary of $45,830 in the US and is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows low AI exposure (0.34 on a 0-1 scale) — the role's core work resists automation. The most in-demand skills for the role include Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Coordination, Monitoring.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £44,007 a year for Protective service associate professionals n.e.c. (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £35,435 to £54,944 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 3319). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Service and sales workers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Animal control workers, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 5. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
- Education and Training
- Biology
- Communications and Media
What you'd actually do
- Write reports of activities, and maintain files of impoundments and dispositions of animals.
- Investigate reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and writing reports.
- Examine animals for injuries or malnutrition, and arrange for any necessary medical treatment.
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Animal control workers do?
Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.
How much does Animal control workers earn?
The median annual salary for Animal control workers in the US is $45,830.
What is the job outlook for Animal control workers?
The role is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 12,200 workers.
How do I become animal control workers?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Animal control workers need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Coordination, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Animal control workers?
Our AI-durability model gives Animal control workers a score of 0.34 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at low AI exposure — the role's core work resists current-generation automation. It's a comparatively AI-durable choice within its field.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Animal control workers has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.