Also called: K-9 SAR Handler, Cadaver Dog Handler
Trains dogs to find lost or buried people by scent, and deploys with them on searches.
SAR dog handlers spend years training their dogs to find people in forests, rubble, avalanches, or water. Most are volunteers who also have day jobs, but some work for FEMA task forces or fire departments.
Most handlers are volunteers; paid roles are part of fire or FEMA teams.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
No formal education, about 0 years after high school. No degree; years of training and certification with the dog.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Animal Science.
Growing slowly.
Low risk for 10 years. Drones help, but a dog's nose and a handler's bond still find people in rubble and woods.
Classes: Biology, Animal science / FFA, PE / fitness.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-9099.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.