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Animal Control Workers in New Mexico

Want to work as an Animal Control Workers in New Mexico? Here’s what you need to know. Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.

What do Animal Control Workers Make in New Mexico?

The animal control workers working in New Mexico, the typical annual salary is $36,090 per year (or about $17.35/hour).Earnings range from $31,420 at the 10th percentile to $46,250 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$31,420	$15.11
25th percentile	$33,890	$16.29
Median (50th)	$36,090	$17.35
75th percentile	$43,760	$21.04
90th percentile	$46,250	$22.24

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in New Mexico relative to the national average — is 4.05, indicating that animal control workers are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, animal control workers earn a median of $75,995 per year ($36.54/hour), below the New Mexico median.

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 397,974 animal control workers nationwide. In New Mexico alone, around 270 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 190 animal control workers.

Top New Mexico Metros for Animal Control Workers

The metro areas below employ the most animal control workers in New Mexico.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Albuquerque, NM	70	$36,070

Top States for Animal Control Workers Employment

The table below shows the states where the most animal control workers work.

State	Number Employed
Texas	1,380
California	1,280
New York	930
Florida	480
Georgia	450
North Carolina	450
Illinois	370
Oklahoma	370
Virginia	360
Missouri	320
Massachusetts	310
Indiana	290
Ohio	290
Tennessee	280
Alabama	270
New Mexico	270
Michigan	260
New Jersey	260
Kentucky	240
Arkansas	210

Highest-Paying States for Animal Control Workers

These states pay the most for animal control workers.

State	Annual Median Salary
Oregon	$66,110
Washington	$65,210
Alaska	$62,870
California	$62,760
Massachusetts	$60,120
Nevada	$59,500
Connecticut	$58,510
Rhode Island	$57,790
Colorado	$56,890
New Hampshire	$54,170

Skills

Key animal control workers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for animal control workers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, animal control workers typically:

• 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.
• Remove captured animals from animal-control service vehicles and place animals in shelter cages or other enclosures.
• Answer inquiries from the public concerning animal control operations.
• Capture and remove stray, uncontrolled, or abused animals from undesirable conditions, using nets, nooses, or tranquilizer darts as necessary.
• Prepare for prosecutions related to animal treatment, and give evidence in court.
• Supply animals with food, water, and personal care.
• Issue warnings or citations in connection with animal-related offenses, or contact police to report violations and request arrests.
• Euthanize rabid, unclaimed, or severely injured animals.

Work Activities

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
• Getting Information
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Processing Information
• Performing General Physical Activities
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel

Related Careers

Careers similar to animal control workers include:

• Environmental Compliance Inspectors
• Coroners
• Animal Scientists
• Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
• Veterinarians
• Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Also Known As

ACO (Animal Control Officer), Adoption Counselor, Animal Attendant, Animal Control Specialist, Animal Cop, Animal Cruelty Investigator, Animal Enforcement Officer, Animal Instructor Officer, Animal Officer, Animal Ordinance Enforcement Officer, Animal Park Code Enforcement Officer, Animal Rescuer, Animal Safety Officer, Animal Services Officer, Animal Treatment Investigator.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 33-9011.00