The median pay for Pest Control Workers is $45,250 a year ($21.75/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 5.5% through 2035, with about 13,700 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 37-2021
- Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Pest Control Worker in four numbers
- Median pay
- $45,250a year, or $21.75/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $35KTop 10% $62K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.5%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.5%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.5% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 13,700108,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025108.7K
- Projected 2035114.7K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 108.7K Projected 2035 114.7K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: Commercial Pest Control Technician (Commercial Pest Control Tech), Exterminator, Pest Control Applicator, Pest Control Chemical Technician (Pest Control Chemical Tech), Pest Control Operator, Pest Control Technician (Pest Control Tech).
Pay
How much do Pest Control Workers make?
Every pest control worker in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$45,250
Middle half earn $37,440 to $49,600
- 10th
- $34,680
- 25th
- $37,440
- 75th
- $49,600
- 90th
- $61,890
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $34,680 |
| 25th | $37,440 |
| Median | $45,250 |
| 75th | $49,600 |
| 90th | $61,890 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $45,250
- Median hourly wage
- $21.75/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $46,400
- People employed
- 102,620
Versus all US occupations
At $45,250, Pest Control Workers earn 11% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $5,730 a year.
Versus building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations
The median is typical for the Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance group, where the middle occupation pays $46,340.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $61,890 or more while the bottom 10% earn $34,680, a gap of 1.8×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 12% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Washington posts the highest raw median ($51,300), but once local prices are taken into account South Dakota leads at $56,352 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Pest Control Workers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Washington | $51,300 | $47,938 | 1,430 |
| 2South Dakota | $49,920 | $56,352 | 190 |
| 3Nevada | $49,240 | $49,250 | 790 |
| 4Connecticut | $49,010 | $47,302 | 880 |
| 5New Jersey | $48,780 | $44,832 | 2,270 |
| 6Colorado | $48,650 | $47,209 | 970 |
| 7Hawaii | $48,570 | $44,174 | 740 |
| 8New York | $48,530 | $44,968 | 4,220 |
| 9Maine | $48,340 | $49,809 | 320 |
| 10North Dakota | $48,020 | $53,980 | 120 |
Job outlook
Is Pest Control Worker a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.5% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Pest Control Workers | +5.5% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Pest Control Workers to change 5.5% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 6,000 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 13,700 openings are projected each year, 12.6% of the 108,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
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.
The growing number of invasive insect species 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.
Getting in
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.
Many pest control companies require that employees have a driver’s license and a good driving record.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
Full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entryThe work
What does a Pest Control Worker do?
Apply or release chemical solutions or toxic gases and set traps to kill or remove pests and vermin that infest buildings and surrounding areas.
Pest control workers remove unwanted pests, such as roaches, rodents, ants, and termites, that infest buildings and surrounding areas.
Day-to-day tasks
- Recommend treatment and prevention methods for pest problems to clients.
- Record work activities performed.
- 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.
- Inspect premises to identify infestation source and extent of damage to property, wall, or roof porosity and access to infested locations.
- Spray or dust chemical solutions, powders, or gases into rooms, onto clothing, furnishings, or wood, or over marshlands, ditches, or catch basins.
- Study preliminary reports or diagrams of infested area and determine treatment type required to eliminate and prevent recurrence of infestation.
- Clean work site after completion of job.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most pest control workers are employed full time. Working evenings and weekends is common. Some work more than 40 hours per week.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where pest control workers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Exterminating and pest control services88%
- Self-employed workers5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Exterminating and pest control services | 88% |
| Self-employed workers | 5% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.8
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Writing3.6
- Speaking3.6
- Monitoring3.6
- Active Learning3.1
- Reading Comprehension3.0
- Learning Strategies2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.8 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
| Writing | 3.6 |
| Speaking | 3.6 |
| Monitoring | 3.6 |
| Active Learning | 3.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Time Management3.5
- Social Perceptiveness3.4
- Service Orientation3.3
- Complex Problem Solving3.3
- Coordination3.1
- Persuasion3.1
- Negotiation3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Time Management | 3.5 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.4 |
| Service Orientation | 3.3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Persuasion | 3.1 |
| Negotiation | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Accounting software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Electronic mail software
- Inventory management software
- Video creation and editing software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Pest Control Worker?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Pest Control Worker |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.8
- Conventional4.2
- Investigative2.9
- Enterprising2.2
- Social1.7
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Pest Control Worker
O*NET related occupations
- Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
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$46,340median a year
Most earn $36K to $61K
+3.9%High school - Construction and Extraction
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$49,880median a year
Most earn $37K to $73K
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$39,150median a year
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$58,430median a year
Most earn $41K to $86K
+4.0%High school
More building and grounds cleaning and maintenance careers
Median annual pay, with pest control workers highlighted
- First-Line Supervisor of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$58,430
- Sports Turf Manager$58,430
- Tree Trimmer and Pruner$50,960
- Consulting Arborist$50,960
- Utility Line Clearance Arborist$50,960
- First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$49,100
- Pest Control Worker$45,250
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker$39,150
- Janitor and Cleaner, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$36,840
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisor of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | $58,430 |
| Sports Turf Manager | $58,430 |
| Tree Trimmer and Pruner | $50,960 |
| Consulting Arborist | $50,960 |
| Utility Line Clearance Arborist | $50,960 |
| First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers | $49,100 |
| Pest Control Worker | $45,250 |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker | $39,150 |
| Janitor and Cleaner, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $36,840 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Pest Control Worker appears on
Questions
Pest Control Worker: frequently asked questions
How much do Pest Control Workers make?
Pest Control Workers earn a median of $45,250 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 11% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $21.75/hr. The middle half earn between $37,440 and $49,600. The top 10% earn $61,890 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Pest Control Worker?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Pest Control Workers. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training.
Is Pest Control Worker a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.5% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 13,700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Pest Control Worker do?
Pest control workers remove unwanted pests, such as roaches, rodents, ants, and termites, that infest buildings and surrounding areas. A core O*NET task: recommend treatment and prevention methods for pest problems to clients. Employers most often ask for Accounting software, Document management software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Pest Control Workers the most?
The highest state medians for Pest Control Workers are Washington ($51,300), South Dakota ($49,920), Nevada ($49,240) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, South Dakota moves to the top at $56,352.
What personality type suits a Pest Control Worker?
O*NET scores Pest Control Workers highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.