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Careers›Roles›Animal Shelter Clerk
Mid-Level

Animal Shelter Clerk

Animal shelter clerks run the administrative work of a shelter — intake paperwork, adoption processing, donor records, and the coordination that keeps a stretched operation running on a small budget.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
C
E
S
R
I
A
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Animal Shelter Clerks
Education · 12%Healthcare · 12%Construction · 10%Government · 10%Administrative Services · 8%Professional Services · 8%
Job markets for Animal Shelter Clerks
Where Animal Shelter Clerk jobs concentrate · ~390 metro areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
Admin & Office
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a Animal Shelter Clerk

Most days mix intake, adoption, and donor-facing paperwork with reception duties. The work tends to follow the rhythm of the shelter — busier when animals come in or get adopted, quieter during stretches when staff focus on care. There's often a steady drumbeat of phone calls about lost pets, surrender questions, and donation logistics, layered over the in-person work at the front desk.

Collaboration usually involves animal care staff, volunteers, adopters, and donors. What's harder than expected is the emotional weight that comes with the territory — outcomes for animals aren't always good, and you'll need to be present for the joyful adoptions and the harder days when difficult decisions are being made nearby. Most shelter workers develop coping rituals; the people who don't tend to leave within a year.

People who thrive here care deeply about the mission and can sustain that care without burning out. If you find satisfaction in matching a dog with a new family, processing a donation that funds care, or being the calm voice on the phone for someone whose cat just went missing, the work tends to feel purposeful in a way most office jobs don't. People who can't carry the harder days will struggle.

What people in this role value
RelationshipsAbove avg
SupportModerate
IndependenceLower
Working ConditionsLower
AchievementLower
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns

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Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Energy & Utilities$84K+67%
Professional Services$83K+64%
Technology & Information$79K+58%
Financial Services$77K+53%
Government$69K+37%
Compared to Admin & Office average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Animal Shelter Clerks (SOC 43-9061.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Admin & Office →
Animal Shelter ClerkFloor ClerkOffice AssistantAdministrative Support SpecialistLost and Found ClerkDocument ProcessorCredit Card ClerkFloor Space AllocatorChart ClerkField ClerkAudit Control ClerkField RepresentativeUnit ClerkHealth Unit CoordinatorTest TechnicianLaundry ClerkBoard AttendantDesk ClerkCar DistributorDocument CoordinatorInsurance ClerkUnderwriting ClerkProcess ServerClerkAttendance Clerk+1 more

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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$29K–$64K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
2.5M
U.S. Employment
-6.7%
10yr Growth
282K
Annual Openings

How Animal Shelter Clerk pay & employment are changing

$64K$61K$59K$56K$53K201920202021202220232024$53K$64K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Active ListeningReading ComprehensionSpeakingWritingCoordinationTime ManagementService OrientationSocial PerceptivenessCritical ThinkingMonitoring
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
43-9061.00

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

midFloor Clerk$37KmidOffice Assistant$49KmidAdministrative Support Specialist$52KseniorSenior Administrative Support Specialist$52KmidLost and Found Clerk$43KmidDocument Processor$58K
View all Admin & Office roles →

Common questions about what it's like to be an Animal Shelter Clerk

What does an Animal Shelter Clerk do?

Animal shelter clerks run the administrative work of a shelter — intake paperwork, adoption processing, donor records, and the coordination that keeps a stretched operation running on a small budget.

How much does an Animal Shelter Clerk make?

Median pay for an Animal Shelter Clerk is about $44K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $29K to $64K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).

What skills does an Animal Shelter Clerk need?

Core skills for this role include Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Writing, and Coordination.

What education do you need to be an Animal Shelter Clerk?

Most people in this role hold a high school diploma.

Is an Animal Shelter Clerk in demand?

Employment in this field is projected to decline about 6.7% through 2034, with roughly 2.5 million people working in it today (BLS).

What jobs are similar to an Animal Shelter Clerk?

Closely related roles include Floor Clerk, Office Assistant, and Administrative Support Specialist.

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.

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