Career comparison
Animal Control Officer vs. Fish and Game Warden
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Fish and game wardens earn more at the median ($74,060 vs. $45,660), while animal control officers usually get to work faster (1–3 months of training). Animal control officers protect people and animals by enforcing animal laws and rescuing animals in need. Fish and game wardens enforce wildlife, hunting, fishing and boating laws in the outdoors.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Animal Control Officer | Fish and Game Warden | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $45,660 ($21.95/hr) | $74,060 ($35.60/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $33,090 – $68,070 | $50,990 – $100,980 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.0% (about as fast as average) | -5.7% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 1,500 | 500 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 1–3 months | 4 years plus academy |
| Key credential | NACA Animal Control Officer certification | State peace officer certification |
| Work setting | Officers work outdoors and in vehicles, responding to homes, roads and public places. | Wardens work outdoors in all weather, on foot, in trucks, boats, ATVs and snowmobiles, often alone in remote areas.. |
What each job does
Animal Control Officer
- Respond to calls about stray and dangerous animals
- Capture and transport animals safely
- Investigate animal bites and quarantine animals
- Investigate cruelty and neglect complaints
- Enforce local animal laws and issue citations
Fish and Game Warden
- Patrol lands and waters
- Check hunting and fishing licenses
- Enforce bag limits and seasons
- Investigate poaching and wildlife crimes
- Enforce boating safety laws
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, working outdoors, working independently, and physical work. Both are part of the public safety & security field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose animal control officer if…
- I love animals
- I can stay calm with aggressive animals
- I can handle sad situations
Choose fish and game warden if…
- I love the outdoors
- I want to protect wildlife
- I can work alone in remote areas
Still torn? Take the Animal Control Officer fit quiz and the Fish and Game Warden fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, animal control officer or fish and game warden?
Fish and Game Wardens earn more at the median: $74,060 versus $45,660 for animal control officers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Animal Control Officers typically train faster (1–3 months) than fish and game wardens (4 years plus academy).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects animal control officers to grow +4.0% from 2025–35, compared with -5.7% for fish and game wardens.