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Protective Services33-9011.00Specialization

Animal Control Workers

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

$43,170
Median Pay
Less than 6 months
Training
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AI-Augmented
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Career Overview Video

AI Impact Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 3/6: balanced factors means AI will assist but humans remain essential

🟡AI-Augmented

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
Medium+1

35% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Stable+1

+4% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Moderate+1

EPOCH score: 16/25

Total Score3/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09
View full methodology →

Key Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • Answer inquiries from the public concerning animal control operations.
  • Capture and remove stray, uncontrolled, or abused animals from undesirable conditions, using nets, nooses, or tranquilizer darts as necessary.
  • Prepare for prosecutions related to animal treatment, and give evidence in court.
  • Supply animals with food, water, and personal care.

Education & Training

Typical Entry Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Time to Job Ready

0-1 years

Based on Job Zone 2. For formal education duration only, see education_duration.

Technology Skills

Animal tracking databasesMicrosoft OfficeGPS systemsCommunication tools

Key Abilities

Oral ExpressionProblem SensitivityOral ComprehensionDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningSpeech ClarityWritten ComprehensionWritten ExpressionInformation OrderingCategory Flexibility

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Find jobs and training programs for animal control workers- Median salary: $43K/year

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Compensation Details

$30,820
10th Percentile
$43,170
Median
$67,930
90th Percentile

Based on 11,600 employed workers

Also Known As

ACO (Animal Control Officer)Animal AttendantAnimal Control SpecialistAnimal CopAnimal Cruelty InvestigatorAnimal Enforcement OfficerAnimal Instructor OfficerAnimal OfficerAnimal Ordinance Enforcement OfficerAnimal Park Code Enforcement Officer

Data from O*NET 30.1 and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics

O*NET Code: 33-9011.00