Animal Control Worker Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Animal Control Workers in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$43,940
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.13
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $45,660
State Rank
#26 of 44
460 employed here

How much does an Animal Control Worker make in North Carolina?

Animal Control Workers in North Carolina take home a median of $43,940 annually — roughly $21.13 an hour — which runs 4% below the national median of $45,660.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $35,150 while the top 10% make $57,230 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,990 and $48,930 a year.

Animal Control Worker salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,150$16.90
25th percentile (early career)$37,990$18.26
50th percentile (median)$43,940$21.13
75th percentile (experienced)$48,930$23.52
90th percentile (top earners)$57,230$27.51

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 26th out of 44 states and territories for Animal Control Worker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$66,440
2Oregon$66,130
3Alaska$63,340
4California$62,630
5Massachusetts$60,930

Working as an Animal Control Worker in North Carolina

Nationally, about 12,000 people work as Animal Control Workers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($43,940) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Animal Control Worker make in North Carolina?
The median Animal Control Worker salary in North Carolina is $43,940 per year, or about $21.13 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,150 at the entry level to $57,230 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Animal Control Workers about 4% less than the national median of $45,660. North Carolina ranks 26th out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Animal Control Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $43,940 a year. About 460 Animal Control Workers are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Animal Control Worker salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.