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Salary comparison

Animal Control Workers vs. Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Who Earns More?

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss out-earn Animal Control Workerss by $31K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Animal Control Workerss land at $45,660 and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss at $76,210. The education gap is real: animal control worker programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while police and sheriff's patrol officer programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Animal Control Workerss is Washington ($66,440); for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss it's California ($118,880).

Animal Control Workers
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Median salary
$45,660
$76,210
Hourly rate
$21.95/hr
$36.64/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$33,090
$47,510
Senior level (90th %)
$68,070
$115,120
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
12,070
670,520
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
3%
Category
Public Safety
Public Safety
Top-paying state
Washington
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Animal Control Workers median pay.

State
Animal Control Workers
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Washington
$66,440
$102,080
Oregon
$66,130
$88,140
Alaska
$63,340
$99,130
California
$62,630
$118,880
Massachusetts
$60,930
$78,940
Nevada
$58,810
$78,140
Colorado
$58,470
$97,350
Connecticut
$57,130
$82,170
Maryland
$53,330
$77,970
New Jersey
$52,050
$92,610
Pennsylvania
$52,000
$85,470
New York
$48,420
$92,790
Arizona
$47,650
$78,880
Illinois
$42,480
$100,520
Wisconsin
$37,380
$78,090

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Animal Control Workerss or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss?

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss earn more nationally. The median is $45,660 for Animal Control Workerss versus $76,210 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss, a difference of $31K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Animal Control Workers or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Animal Control Workers or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?

Animal Control Workers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Animal Control Workerss get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Animal Control Workerss at $66,440/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Animal Control Workers vs. Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Animal Control Workerss earn $66,440 vs. $102,080 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Animal Control Workers salary breakdownView →Full Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Animal Control Workerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss by take-home payExplore →How to become a animal control workersGuide →How to become a police and sheriff's patrol officersGuide →