Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary, Colorado
$60,500 / year
≈ $5,050 per month · $29.09 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for Colorado · median $60,500
25th percentile
$51,000Average
$60,50075th percentile
$66,000
$51,000Average
$60,50075th percentile
$66,000
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Animal Control Worker salary by state
Alabama$40,500
Alaska$63,000
Arizona$48,500
Arkansas$35,500
California$66,000
Colorado$60,500
Connecticut$61,000
Florida$50,000
Georgia$43,000
Idaho$45,500
Illinois$49,000
Indiana$45,000
Iowa$54,000
Kansas$44,000
Kentucky$37,000
Louisiana$41,500
Maine$51,000
Maryland$58,000
Massachusetts$64,000
Michigan$50,000
Mississippi$37,500
Missouri$44,000
Montana$51,500
Nevada$60,000
New Hampshire$52,000
New Jersey$57,500
New Mexico$40,500
New York$55,500
North Carolina$45,500
Ohio$47,000
Oklahoma$40,000
Oregon$69,500
Pennsylvania$56,000
Rhode Island$55,500
South Carolina$41,000
South Dakota$45,000
Tennessee$43,000
Texas$44,500
Utah$49,000
Virginia$51,500
Washington$68,500
West Virginia$36,500
Wisconsin$47,000
Wyoming$53,500
About this role
Animal Control Worker is a professional role within the function in the Protective Service job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Animal Control Workers do
Typical education: High School Diploma
- 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.
Top skills: Active Listening Speaking Critical Thinking Writing Time Management Social Perceptiveness
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Animal Control Worker pay by experience level
Entry level$34,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$39,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$47,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$59,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$70,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+3.9%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
1,300
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Animal Control Worker salary by industry
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
11,170 workers
$50,500Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
11,080 workers
$50,000Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
350 workers
$50,500Social Advocacy Organizations
350 workers
$51,000Personal and Laundry Services
310 workers
$46,000Other Personal Services
310 workers
$46,000State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
90 workers
$60,000Administrative and Support Services$46,000
Services to Buildings and Dwellings$47,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Animal Control Worker pays 29% below the average across 28 roles in the Protective Service job family (family average $70,500).
Similar-paying roles in Protective Service
Parking Enforcement Worker$53,000
Crossing Guards and Flaggers$45,000
Security Guard$44,000
School Bus Monitor$36,500
Bailiff$64,000
Careers related to Animal Control Worker
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Animal Control Worker make?
The average base salary for a Animal Control Worker in the United States is $50,000 per year, or about $24.04 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $39,000 and $59,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Protective Service roles?
The Protective Service job family averages $70,500 across 28 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Put this data to work
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