What You Need to Know About Pest Control Worker
Pest Control Worker Definition 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
- Spray or dust chemical solutions, powders, or gases into rooms, onto clothing, furnishings, or wood, or over marshlands, ditches, or catch basins.
- Cut or bore openings in building or surrounding concrete, access infested areas, insert nozzle, and inject pesticide to impregnate ground.
- Clean and remove blockages from infested areas to facilitate spraying procedures and provide drainage, using brooms, mops, shovels, or rakes.
- Recommend treatment and prevention methods for pest problems to clients.
- 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.
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Things a Pest Control Worker Should Know How to Do
When polled, Pest Control Workers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Other Pest Control Worker Job Titles
- Certified Pest Control Technician
- Exterminator Helper
- Rodent Control Worker
- Termite Exterminator
- Commercial Pest Control Technician
Are There Job Opportunities for Pest Control Workers?
In the United States, there were 78,900 jobs for Pest Control Worker in 2016. 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.

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

Pest Control Workers who work in Massachusetts, Washington, or Nevada, make the highest salaries.
How much do Pest Control Workers make in each U.S. state?
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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Pest Control Workers
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Pest Control Workers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Email software
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Database software
- Intuit QuickBooks
- YouTube
- Work scheduling software
How do I Become a Pest Control Worker?
What education is needed to be a Pest Control Worker?

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

Who Employs Pest Control Workers?

The table below shows the approximate number of Pest Control Workers employed by various industries.

Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Pest Control Worker might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Pest Control Worker in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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