### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Pest Control Workers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			pest control workers imagePest control workers determine the type of treatment needed to eliminate pests.							
						Quick Facts:     Pest Control Workers2023     Median Pay
            						$43,470     per year
										$20.90     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Moderate-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    95,000Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    3% (As fast as average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    3,000What Pest Control Workers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Pest control workers remove insects, rodents, and other pests that infest buildings and surrounding areas.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Pest control workers often kneel, bend, and crawl in tight spaces to inspect sites. Because there are health risks associated with pesticide use, workers are trained in pesticide safety and typically wear protective gear, which may include gloves, goggles, and respirators. Most pest control workers are employed full time. Working evenings and weekends is common.
            
                                                How to Become a Pest Control Worker
                                                
                        
Pest control workers typically need a high school diploma and receive on-the-job training. State laws require pest control workers to be licensed.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for pest control workers was $43,470 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of pest control workers is projected to grow							 3 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
						About 12,600 openings for pest control workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for pest control workers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of pest control workers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about pest control workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Pest Control Workers Do 
            

			Pest control workersPest control workers inspect a building and its premises for signs of pests.			
Pest control workers remove unwanted pests, such as roaches, rodents, ants, and termites, that infest buildings and surrounding areas.
Duties
Pest control workers typically do the following:
Inspect buildings and premises for signs of pests or infestation
Determine the type of treatment needed to eliminate pests
Measure the dimensions of the area needing treatment
Estimate the cost of their services
Use baits and set traps to remove, control, or eliminate pests
Apply pesticides in and around buildings and other structures
Design and carry out pest management plans
Drive trucks equipped with power spraying equipment
Create barriers to prevent pests from entering a buildingUnwanted pests that infest buildings and surrounding areas are a nuisance and may pose health and safety risks to occupants. Pest control workers control, manage, and remove these creatures from apartments, homes, offices, and other structures in a way that does not harm inhabitants and maintains the structural integrity of buildings.
To design and carry out integrated pest management plans, pest control workers must know the identity and biology of a wide range of pests. They also must know the best ways to control and remove the pests.
Although certain rodents and insects, such as mice and termites, are among the most common pests, some pest control workers also remove birds, squirrels, and other wildlife from homes and buildings.
Pest control workers’ position titles and job duties often vary by state.
The following are examples of types of pest control workers:
***Pest control technicians***are usually entry-level workers who identify potential and actual pest problems, conduct inspections, and design control strategies. They work directly with customers and use a limited range of pesticides.
***Applicators*** use a wide range of pesticides and may specialize in an area of pest control:
Termite control workers may use chemicals or baiting techniques and modify structures to eliminate termites and prevent future infestations. Some also repair structural damage caused by termites and build barriers to separate pests from their food source.
Fumigators use gases, called fumigants, to treat specific kinds of pests or large-scale infestations. Fumigators seal all or part of an infested building before using hoses to fill the structure with fumigants. They post warning signs to keep people from going into the fumigated area and monitor it closely to detect and stop leaks.
 Work Environment
			Pest control workersPest control workers must travel to a client’s home or business.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Pest control workers held about 95,000 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of pest control workers were as follows:
        Exterminating and pest control services
                91%Self-employed workers
                3Pest control workers must travel to a client’s home or business. They work both indoors and outdoors, in all types of weather.
Injuries and Illnesses
Pest control workers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. These workers are susceptible to strains and sprains because they may need to kneel, bend, and crawl in tight spaces. In addition, some pesticides are toxic and may be harmful to humans, so workers must take precautions when using such chemicals.
All pesticide products are reviewed and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and workers must follow label directions. Pest control workers are trained and licensed for pesticide use and must wear protective equipment, including gloves, goggles, and respirators, to reduce the risk of harm.
Work Schedules
Most pest control workers are employed full time. Working evenings and weekends is common. Some work more than 40 hours per week.
 How to Become a Pest Control Worker

			Pest control workersState laws require pest control workers to be licensed.			
Pest control workers typically need a high school diploma and receive on-the-job training. State laws require pest control workers to be licensed.
Many pest control companies require that employees have a driver’s license and a good driving record.
Education
Pest control workers typically need high school diploma or equivalent to enter the occupation. Employers may consider experienced candidates for some pest control jobs.
Training
Most pest control workers begin as technicians, typically receiving on-the-job training. 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 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. States may have additional requirements for applicators. Check with your state regulatory agency for more information.
Advancement
Pest control workers typically advance as they gain experience. For example, applicators who have several years of experience may become supervisors. Some workers start their own pest management business.
Important 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 in order 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 potentially toxic chemicals, they must be able to follow instructions precisely to prevent harm to residents, pets, the environment, and themselves.
***Physical stamina*.** Pest control workers may spend hours standing, bending, kneeling, or crawling. They also must be able to withstand uncomfortable conditions, such as summer heat in attics and winter cold in crawl spaces.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Pest Control WorkersMedian annual wages, May 2023Total, all occupations$48,060  Pest control workers$43,470  Building cleaning and pest control workers$34,780Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for pest control workers was $43,470 in May 2023. 


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 $30,670, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $60,430.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for pest control workers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Exterminating and pest control services
                $43,270Most pest control workers are employed full time. Working evenings and weekends is common. Some work more than 40 hours per week.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
               Pest Control WorkersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Pest control workers3%  Total, all occupations3%  Building cleaning and pest control workers1%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of pest control workers is projected to grow				 3 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
			
			About 12,600 openings for pest control workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
The growing number of invasive insect species, such as stink bugs, is expected to create demand for pest control services. Although some people may choose to control pests themselves, many prefer to hire professional pest control services.
			

                        Employment projections data for     pest control workers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Pest control workers**
			37-2021
			95,000
			98,000
			3
			3,000
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Pest control workers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of pest control workers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Construction Laborers and Helpers**
            Construction laborers and helpers perform tasks, such as using, supplying, or holding materials or tools and cleaning work areas and equipment, on construction sites.
            See How to Become One
            $44,310**Grounds Maintenance Workers**
            Grounds maintenance workers install and maintain landscapes, prune trees or shrubs, and do other tasks to ensure that vegetation is attractive, orderly, and safe.
            See How to Become One
            $37,690**Janitors and Building Cleaners**
            Janitors and building cleaners keep many types of buildings clean, sanitary, orderly, and in good condition.
            No formal educational credential
            $35,020
 Contacts for More Information
								
For information about state licensing requirements, contact state licensing officials.
For information on the pest management industry, visit
National Pest Management Association (NPMA)

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Pest Control Workers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Pest Control Workers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/building-and-grounds-cleaning/pest-control-workers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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