Pest control workers held about 84,500 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of pest control workers were as follows:
| Exterminating and pest control services | 88% |
| Self-employed workers | 5 |
Pest control workers must travel to a client’s home or business. They work both indoors and outdoors, in all types of weather. To inspect and treat sites, workers must often kneel, bend, and crawl into tight spaces.
When working with pesticides, pest control workers must wear protective gear, including gloves, goggles, and, when required, respirators.
Injuries and Illnesses
All pesticide products are reviewed and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and workers must follow label directions. Some pest control chemicals are toxic and can be harmful to humans, so care should be taken when using such chemicals. Workers are trained and licensed for pesticide usage and wear protective equipment as necessary based on label requirements. However, some injuries and illnesses from pesticide exposure may still occur. Pest control workers are also susceptible to strains and sprains because workers must often kneel, bend, and crawl into tight spaces.
Work Schedules
Most pest control workers are employed full time. Working evenings and weekends is common. Some work more than 40 hours per week.
State laws require pest control workers to be licensed. Most workers need a high school diploma and receive moderate on-the-job training.
Many pest control companies require that employees have good driving records.
Education
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically the minimum qualification for most pest control jobs.
Training
Most pest control workers begin as technicians, receiving both formal technical instruction and moderate-term on-the-job training from employers. They often study specialties such as rodent control, termite control, and fumigation. Technicians also must complete general training in pesticide use and safety. Pest control training can usually be completed in less than 3 months.
After completing the required training, workers are qualified to provide pest control services. Because pest control methods change, workers often attend continuing education classes.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Most states require pest control workers to be licensed. Licensure requirements vary by state, but workers usually must complete training and pass an exam. Some states have additional requirements, such as having a high school diploma or equivalent, completing an apprenticeship, and passing a background check. States may have additional requirements for applicators.
Advancement
Pest control workers typically advance as they gain experience. Applicators with several years of experience often become supervisors. Some experienced workers start their own pest management company.
Pest control workers typically have an interest in the Building and Organizing interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Organizing interest area indicates a focus on working with information and processes to keep things arranged in orderly systems.
If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Organizing interest which might fit with a career as a pest control worker, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Pest control workers should also possess the following specific qualities:
Bookkeeping skills . Pest control workers must keep accurate records of the hours they work, chemicals they use, and payments they collect. Self-employed workers, in particular, need these skills to run their business.
Customer-service skills . Pest control workers should be friendly and polite when they interact with customers at their homes or businesses.
Detail oriented . Because pest control workers apply pesticides, they need to be able to follow instructions carefully in order to prevent harm to residents, pets, the environment, and themselves.
Physical stamina . Pest control workers may spend hours on their feet, often crouching, kneeling, and crawling. They also must be able to withstand uncomfortable conditions, such as heat when they climb into attics in the summertime and cold when they slide into crawl spaces during winter.
The median annual wage for pest control workers was $37,330 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,920, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $60,320.
In May 2019, the median annual wages for pest control workers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Exterminating and pest control services | $37,210 |
Most pest control workers are employed full time. Working evenings and weekends is common. Some work more than 40 hours per week.
Employment of pest control workers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.
Some people may choose to control pests themselves rather than pay for professional pest control services. However, the growing number of invasive species, such as stink bugs, may increase demand for pest control services.
Job Prospects
Job opportunities are expected to be good. The limited number of people seeking work in pest control and the need to replace workers who leave this occupation should result in many job openings.
For information about state licensing requirements, contact state licensing officials.
For information on pest control officials, visit
Association of Structural Pest Control Regulatory Officials
For information on the pest management industry, visit
National Pest Management Association