Animal Control Worker salary in California
Animal Control Workers in California earn a median of $62,630 a year ($30.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,880 for the top 10%. That is 37% higher than the national median of $45,660. California ranks 4th of 44 states for animal control workers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.07 animal control workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal control workers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,570 | $22.87 |
| 25th percentile | $54,940 | $26.41 |
| Median | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| 75th percentile | $72,020 | $34.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,880 | $37.92 |
| Average (mean) | $63,690 | $30.62 |
Half of animal control workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,219.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,609.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,408.85 |
| Weekly | $1,204.42 |
| Hourly | $30.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Animal Control Worker salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $77,540 | 120 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $74,260 | 30 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $64,050 | 70 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $62,810 | 430 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $59,870 | 160 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $55,570 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $46,480 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for animal control workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $66,440 |
| Oregon | $66,130 |
| Alaska | $63,340 |
| California | $62,630 |
| Massachusetts | $60,930 |
| Nevada | $58,810 |
| Colorado | $58,470 |
| Connecticut | $57,130 |
| Rhode Island | $55,060 |
| Iowa | $54,190 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $42,720 | $20.54 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $73,610 | $35.39 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| School Bus Monitor | $38,360 | $18.44 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $44,740 | $21.51 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $118,880 | $57.15 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $96,370 | $46.33 |
| Firefighter | $85,120 | $40.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $163,960 | $78.83 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $124,840 | $60.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $53,960 | $25.94 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a animal control worker make in California?
The median salary for animal control workers in California is $62,630 a year, or $30.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal control workers make in California?
The top 10% of animal control workers in California earn at least $78,880 a year. The top 25% earn $72,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal control workers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,570 a year, and a quarter of animal control workers earn $54,940 or less.
How many animal control workers work in California?
About 1,210 animal control workers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.