Prevailing Wage for Animal Control Workers
Prevailing wage for Animal Control Workers (SOC 33-9011) is set by DOL across four experience levels, from entry-level ACO (Animal Control Officer) positions through fully competent Animal Enforcement Officer roles. Whether you hold a title like Animal Attendant or Animal Cruelty Investigator, the wage floor that applies to your sponsored position depends on your level and your worksite city.
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Entry-level workers with limited experience in animal control, typically performing routine field tasks under close supervision. Most candidates new to the occupation with no prior specialized training file at this level.
Workers with moderate experience who perform standard animal control duties with some independence. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Animal Control Workers, reflecting the typical candidate profile employers sponsor.
Experienced officers who handle complex investigations, manage difficult or dangerous animals, and may informally guide newer staff. Candidates with several years of field experience and a track record of independent case resolution fall here.
Senior or lead animal control professionals who oversee operations, set enforcement protocols, or manage teams. Candidates in supervisory or program-lead roles with extensive field and administrative experience file at this level.
Prevailing Wage for Animal Control Workers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Animal Control Workers and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Watch how municipal employers classify field officers
City and county agencies often file Animal Control Officers under law enforcement or public health SOC codes rather than SOC 33-9011, which sets a different wage floor. Confirm the SOC on your LCA matches your actual duties before accepting a sponsored offer.
Factor in worksite location when comparing offers
Animal control wages vary sharply by metro. West Coast cities like Seattle and San Jose carry prevailing wages nearly double those in lower-paying Texas and Arkansas markets, so the same title and level can mean very different wage floors depending on where you work.
Expect most sponsored offers to land at Level 2
Employers sponsoring Animal Control Workers typically file at Level 2 because most field officer roles require moderate experience and some independent judgment. A Level 1 filing for a role with investigation or enforcement responsibilities can signal a wage floor mismatch worth flagging.
Search Migrate Mate to find employers with sponsorship history
Animal control sponsorship is concentrated in a small number of agencies and municipalities. Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically sponsored Animal Control Worker roles, so you can prioritize outreach to organizations that have already navigated the LCA process for this occupation.
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Find Jobs for Animal Control WorkersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 33-9011.00 alongside Animal Control Workers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
ACO (Animal Control Officer) Prevailing Wage
ACO (Animal Control Officer) Prevailing Wage
ACO (Animal Control Officer) positions fall under SOC 33-9011.00 (Animal Control Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Animal Attendant Prevailing Wage
Animal Attendant Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Animal Attendant for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 33-9011.00 (Animal Control Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Animal Cruelty Investigator Prevailing Wage
Animal Cruelty Investigator Prevailing Wage
Animal Cruelty Investigator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 33-9011.00 (Animal Control Workers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Animal Enforcement Officer Prevailing Wage
Animal Enforcement Officer Prevailing Wage
Animal Enforcement Officer positions fall under SOC 33-9011.00 (Animal Control Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Animal Instructor Officer Prevailing Wage
Animal Instructor Officer Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Animal Instructor Officer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 33-9011.00 (Animal Control Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Animal Ordinance Enforcement Officer Prevailing Wage
Animal Ordinance Enforcement Officer Prevailing Wage
Animal Ordinance Enforcement Officer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 33-9011.00 (Animal Control Workers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Animal Park Code Enforcement Officer Prevailing Wage
Animal Park Code Enforcement Officer Prevailing Wage
Animal Park Code Enforcement Officer positions fall under SOC 33-9011.00 (Animal Control Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Animal Safety Officer Prevailing Wage
Animal Safety Officer Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Animal Safety Officer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 33-9011.00 (Animal Control Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Animal Services Officer Prevailing Wage
Animal Services Officer Prevailing Wage
Animal Services Officer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 33-9011.00 (Animal Control Workers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Community Service Officer Prevailing Wage
Community Service Officer Prevailing Wage
Community Service Officer positions fall under SOC 33-9011.00 (Animal Control Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Animal Control Workers?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate prevailing wages for each occupation and geographic area. For Animal Control Workers under SOC 33-9011, OFLC publishes four wage levels based on that survey data. Employers filing an LCA for a sponsored position must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for the applicable level and worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
DOL's four levels reflect experience and responsibility. Level 1 covers entry-level work under close supervision. Level 2 applies to workers with moderate experience performing standard duties with some independence, and is the most common filing level for this occupation. Level 3 reflects experienced officers handling complex cases independently. Level 4 covers senior or supervisory roles. Your level should match the actual duties and supervision described in your job offer, not just your years of experience.
Why does the same Animal Control Worker title pay so differently from city to city?
DOL prevailing wages are calculated from regional OES surveys, so they reflect local labor market conditions rather than a single national rate. An LCA must list the actual worksite location, and the wage floor is drawn from the survey data for that specific metro area. Cities with higher costs of living and stronger public sector pay scales, like Seattle and San Francisco, produce significantly higher prevailing wages than markets in the South or rural areas where local government wages are lower.
What happens if an employer offers less than the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
For H-1B and other LCA-based visas, the employer must certify to DOL that the offered wage meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for the occupation and worksite. If the offer falls short, the LCA cannot be certified, and USCIS will not approve the petition. If a violation is discovered after filing, the employer may face debarment from future sponsorship and back-pay liability. An offer below the prevailing wage floor is a compliance problem for the employer, not a negotiating point.
How can I find and verify the Animal Control Workers prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
The OFLC Wage Search tool lets you look up the current DOL prevailing wage for SOC 33-9011 by metropolitan area and wage level. Enter the occupation code and your intended worksite city to see the applicable floor for all four levels. You can also check O*NET for occupation details that help confirm the correct SOC. Migrate Mate lists employers with documented H-1B and green card sponsorship history for this role, which can help you identify which agencies are actively filing LCAs.
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