Also called: Police Dog Handler, Canine Officer
A police officer partnered with a trained dog to track suspects and sniff out drugs or explosives.
K-9 officers live with their dog, which rides in a special patrol car. They train together constantly and get called to track a burglar through the woods or search a car for drugs. The bond between handler and dog is intense.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 4 years after high school. Police academy plus several years as a patrol officer, then selection and specialized training.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Criminal Justice, Animal Science.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). Police and detectives 2024-34 (approx.); specialty units are small.
Low risk for 10 years. Gadgets track scent trails poorly; a trained dog and handler bond stays something only humans can build.
Classes: Animal science / FFA, Biology, PE / strength training, Psychology.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-3051.
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.