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Salary comparison

Animal Control Workers vs. Security Guards: Who Earns More?

Animal Control Workerss out-earn Security Guardss by $8K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Animal Control Workerss land at $45,660 and Security Guardss at $38,020. The education gap is real: animal control worker programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while security guard programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Animal Control Workerss is Washington ($66,440); for Security Guardss it's District of Columbia ($64,210).

Animal Control Workers
Security Guards
Median salary
$45,660
$38,020
Hourly rate
$21.95/hr
$18.28/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$33,090
$30,210
Senior level (90th %)
$68,070
$58,840
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
12,070
1,283,470
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Public Safety
Public Safety
Top-paying state
Washington
District of Columbia

Pay by state

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

State
Animal Control Workers
Security Guards
Washington
$66,440
$47,100
Oregon
$66,130
$45,500
Alaska
$63,340
$47,480
California
$62,630
$43,240
Massachusetts
$60,930
$44,670
Colorado
$58,470
$45,150
Connecticut
$57,130
$39,920
Wyoming
$53,870
$39,200
Virginia
$49,010
$43,640
New Hampshire
$48,840
$45,200
New York
$48,420
$44,240
Utah
$47,210
$42,700
Illinois
$42,480
$39,490
Missouri
$41,760
$40,390
New Mexico
$37,800
$43,320

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Animal Control Workerss or Security Guardss?

Animal Control Workerss earn more nationally. The median is $45,660 for Animal Control Workerss versus $38,020 for Security Guardss, a difference of $8K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Animal Control Workers or Security Guards?

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 Security Guards?

Animal Control Workers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Security Guards 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. Security Guards pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Animal Control Workerss earn $66,440 vs. $47,100 for Security Guardss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Animal Control Workers salary breakdownView →Full Security Guards salary breakdownView →Best cities for Animal Control Workerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Security Guardss by take-home payExplore →How to become a animal control workersGuide →How to become a security guardsGuide →