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Pest Control Workers

Typical education: High school diplomaModerate pressure Bright Outlook

What they 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.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $45,250 Median per year · $21.75/hr Most earn $34,680–$61,890

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Post warning signs and lock building doors to secure area to be fumigated.
  • Post warning signs and lock building doors to secure area to be fumigated.
  • Cut or bore openings in building or surrounding concrete, access infested areas, insert nozzle, and inject pesticide to impregnate ground.
  • Measure area dimensions requiring treatment, calculate fumigant requirements, and estimate cost for service.
  • Drive truck equipped with power spraying equipment.
  • Record work activities performed.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
6% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 13,700 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Exterminating and pest control services88.2%
  • Self-employed (their own business)5.4%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: None

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: NoneEntry-level

Pest control work is an entry-level job, so you can start right after high school with no prior work experience needed. Most of your real training happens on the job, and it usually takes about a year to feel confident handling the work alone.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finish high school with strong basics in biology, chemistry, and math, since they help you understand how pests and chemicals work. This diploma is the typical minimum education for this job.

  2. Entry-level pest control training (on the job)

    Up to 1 year

    Many companies hire people with a diploma and train them while they work, learning safe chemical handling, trap placement, and inspections. Some areas also require a pesticide applicator license, so check your state's rules.

  3. Pest Control Worker

    Ongoing career

    As a pest control worker, you inspect buildings, apply treatments or set traps, and explain to customers how to prevent future infestations.

Where it can lead

  1. Senior Pest Control Technician

    2-4 years of experience first

    You take on harder jobs, handle more complex infestations, and may train new workers. Moving up usually means showing you can work safely and independently.

  2. Branch Manager

    3-5 years of experience first

    You oversee a local office's crew, schedules, customers, and safety records. This step usually requires strong organization and people skills, plus a good track record in the field.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology and chemistryThese classes teach you how living things and chemicals behave, which is the core knowledge behind pest control.
  • Get a part-time job in landscaping or lawn careOutdoor work teaches reliability, following safety rules, and working with equipment and customers.
  • Join a science or environmental clubClubs like these give you hands-on projects and a chance to learn about insects, wildlife, and safe handling of materials.
  • Practice clear customer communicationPest control workers explain problems and treatment plans to homeowners, so speaking and writing clearly matters.
  • Ask a local pest control company about job shadowingSeeing the work up close, including safety gear and inspections, helps you decide if this career is a good match.

In college

  • Take courses in entomology, biology, or pest managementIf your school offers them, these courses build the knowledge of pests and their habits that employers look for.
  • Work a part-time job in lawn care, cleaning, or property maintenanceThese jobs build experience with physical work, customer contact, and following safety procedures.
  • Look into a pesticide applicator training course or certificateCommunity colleges and extension programs in many areas offer training that can help you meet licensing requirements.
  • Build a clean driving record and reliable transportationMost pest control jobs involve traveling to many customer sites each day, so employers value dependable drivers.
  • Join a student organization focused on customer service or safetyLeadership and teamwork experience helps you move from technician to senior or supervisory roles later.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask a local pest control company if you can shadow a technician for a day. Seeing the work firsthand will show you whether the daily tasks fit you.
  • Keep a clean driving record and get your driver's license if you can. Many pest control jobs involve driving between customer sites.
  • Look up your state's pesticide applicator or pest control license requirements early. Knowing what's required helps you plan your next steps.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

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