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Pest Control Worker

What is a Pest Control Worker?

Job Description & Duties Apply or release chemical solutions or toxic gases and set traps to kill or remove pests and vermin that infest buildings and surrounding areas.

A Day in the Life of a Pest Control Worker

  • Record work activities performed.
  • Clean work site after completion of job.
  • Spray or dust chemical solutions, powders, or gases into rooms, onto clothing, furnishings, or wood, or over marshlands, ditches, or catch basins.
  • Dig up and burn, or spray weeds with herbicides.
  • Recommend treatment and prevention methods for pest problems to clients.
  • Cut or bore openings in building or surrounding concrete, access infested areas, insert nozzle, and inject pesticide to impregnate ground.

Pest Control Worker Skills

These are the skills Pest Control Workers say are the most useful in their careers:

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

Types of Pest Control Worker Jobs

  • Spray Worker
  • Termite Technician
  • Rodent Control Worker
  • Rat Exterminator
  • Pest Control Operator

Are There Job Opportunities for Pest Control Workers?

There were about 78,900 jobs for Pest Control Worker in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 6,500 new jobs for Pest Control Worker by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 11,700 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Pest Control Worker are Washington, Nevada, and Iowa. Watch out if you plan on working in Georgia, Alaska, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Pest Control Worker Make?

The average yearly salary of a Pest Control Worker ranges between $23,230 and $57,400.

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Pest Control Workers who work in Massachusetts, Washington, or Nevada, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Pest Control Workers in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $32,650
Arizona $38,040
Arkansas $31,720
California $42,100
Colorado $35,200
Connecticut $38,540
Delaware $42,070
Florida $34,060
Georgia $35,210
Hawaii $39,860
Idaho $31,310
Illinois $36,910
Indiana $38,390
Iowa $38,490
Kansas $32,950
Kentucky $34,000
Louisiana $31,560
Maine $32,030
Maryland $40,150
Massachusetts $47,750
Michigan $42,380
Minnesota $39,910
Mississippi $35,660
Missouri $34,420
Montana $41,180
Nebraska $40,310
Nevada $42,880
New Hampshire $38,210
New Jersey $39,840
New Mexico $38,250
New York $39,960
North Carolina $35,330
North Dakota $35,160
Ohio $40,820
Oklahoma $30,790
Oregon $38,420
Pennsylvania $38,840
Rhode Island $35,730
South Carolina $32,460
South Dakota $36,190
Tennessee $41,870
Texas $42,030
Utah $30,870
Virginia $40,800
Washington $46,160
West Virginia $28,860
Wisconsin $35,290
Wyoming $37,670

What Tools & Technology do Pest Control Workers Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Pest Control Workers may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Email software
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Database software
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • YouTube
  • Work scheduling software

How to Become a Pest Control Worker

Individuals working as a Pest Control Worker have obtained the following education levels:

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Pest Control Worker?

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You May Also Be Interested In…

Those interested in being a Pest Control Worker may also be interested in:

Career changers with experience as a Pest Control Worker sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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