Apply or release chemical solutions or toxic gases and set traps to kill or remove pests and vermin that infest buildings and surrounding areas.
National median · BLS
$45,250
▲ +1.16%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$46,400
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
102,620
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Pest Control Workers
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$34,680
25th
$37,440
Median (50th)
$45,250
75th
$49,600
90th — top pay
$61,890
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Pest Control Workers
BLS projects employment of pest control workers to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations.
About 13,700 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
108,700 → 114,700
+6,000 jobs
Projected change
+5.5%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
13,700
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
5.4% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
BLS state medians, plus the same figure adjusted for local prices (BEA Regional Price Parities). Tap a state for its full range and H-1B pay.
State
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Pest Control Workers salaries by metro area
Search by city, ZIP code or metro name. Tap a metro for its full range.
Metro area
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Skills & tools
Skills needed for Pest Control Workers
How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.
Top skills
Active Listening3.8
Critical Thinking3.8
Monitoring3.6
Speaking3.6
Writing3.6
Time Management3.5
Social Perceptiveness3.4
Complex Problem Solving3.3
Service Orientation3.3
Active Learning3.1
Top knowledge areas
Customer and Personal Service4.4
Chemistry3.6
Mathematics3.5
Biology3.2
Law and Government3.2
Public Safety and Security3.1
English Language3.0
Sales and Marketing2.9
Software and technology used
Intuit QuickBooksMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft WordDatabase softwareEmail softwareMarathon Data Systems PestPacReport writing softwareSupply inventory softwareWork scheduling softwareYouTube
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What pest control workers do
Record work activities performed.
Clean work site after completion of job.
Measure area dimensions requiring treatment, calculate fumigant requirements, and estimate cost for service.
Spray or dust chemical solutions, powders, or gases into rooms, onto clothing, furnishings, or wood, or over marshlands, ditches, or catch basins.
Recommend treatment and prevention methods for pest problems to clients.
Inspect premises to identify infestation source and extent of damage to property, wall, or roof porosity and access to infested locations.
Drive truck equipped with power spraying equipment.
Direct, or assist other workers in, treatment or extermination processes to eliminate or control rodents, insects, or weeds.
Also called
Pest Control ApplicatorPest Control Technician (Pest Control Tech)Pest Technician (Pest Tech)Termite Technician (Termite Tech)Commercial Pest Control Technician (Commercial Pest Control Tech)ExterminatorPest Control Chemical Technician (Pest Control Chemical Tech)Pest Control OperatorResidential Pest Control Technician (Residential Pest Control Tech)Route Technician (Route Tech)
More job titles for this occupation (30)
Bed Bug ExterminatorCommercial Pest Control RepresentativeCommercial Technician (Commercial Tech)Extermination InspectorFumigatorHand Spray OperatorInsecticide SprayerMosquito Control Technician (Mosquito Control Tech)Mosquito SprayerMoth ExterminatorPest Control Route Technician (Pest Control Route Tech)Pest Control Service ProfessionalPest Control Service RepresentativePest Control Service Technician (Pest Control Service Tech)Pest Control SpecialistRat ExterminatorRodent Control WorkerRodent ExterminatorSpray WorkerSprayerTermite Control RepresentativeTermite Control Service Technician (Termite Control Service Tech)Termite Control ServicerTermite Control Technician (Termite Control Tech)Termite ExterminatorTermite InspectorTermite Pest Control Technician (Termite Pest Control Tech)Termite Renewal InspectorTermite TreaterTick Eradicator
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Pest Control Workers, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $45,250.
