Life As a Pesticide Applicator
Occupation Description Mix or apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides through sprays, dusts, vapors, soil incorporation, or chemical application on trees, shrubs, lawns, or botanical crops. Usually requires specific training and State or Federal certification.
List of Pesticide Applicator Job Duties
- Connect hoses and nozzles selected according to terrain, distribution pattern requirements, types of infestations, and velocities.
- Clean or service machinery to ensure operating efficiency, using water, gasoline, lubricants, or hand tools.
- Fill sprayer tanks with water and chemicals, according to formulas.
- Provide driving instructions to truck drivers to ensure complete coverage of designated areas, using hand and horn signals.
- Mix pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides for application to trees, shrubs, lawns, or botanical crops.
- Start motors and engage machinery, such as sprayer agitators or pumps or portable spray equipment.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Pesticide Applicator?
Pesticide Applicators state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Related Job Titles
- Integrated Pest Management Technician (IPM Technician)
- Tree and Shrub Worker
- Spray Mixer
- Tree and Shrub Technician
- Eradicator
Job Demand for Pesticide Applicators
There were about 38,000 jobs for Pesticide Applicator in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,000 new jobs for Pesticide Applicator by 2026. There will be an estimated 5,000 positions for Pesticide Applicator per year.

The states with the most job growth for Pesticide Applicator are Nevada, Washington, and Tennessee. Watch out if you plan on working in Ohio, Illinois, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Pesticide Applicator
Pesticide Applicators make between $23,890 and $56,370 a year.

Pesticide Applicators who work in Vermont, Hawaii, or Oregon, make the highest salaries.
How much do Pesticide Applicators make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $33,140 |
Arizona | $38,580 |
Arkansas | $29,520 |
California | $50,560 |
Colorado | $38,600 |
Connecticut | $40,240 |
Delaware | $33,640 |
Florida | $31,790 |
Georgia | $36,960 |
Hawaii | $40,900 |
Illinois | $39,930 |
Indiana | $41,180 |
Iowa | $36,670 |
Kansas | $34,680 |
Kentucky | $31,790 |
Louisiana | $29,700 |
Maryland | $40,560 |
Massachusetts | $33,230 |
Michigan | $32,600 |
Minnesota | $39,220 |
Mississippi | $28,950 |
Missouri | $38,510 |
Montana | $34,450 |
Nebraska | $34,880 |
Nevada | $31,960 |
New Hampshire | $38,840 |
New Jersey | $36,970 |
New Mexico | $34,930 |
New York | $42,530 |
North Carolina | $37,470 |
North Dakota | $43,820 |
Ohio | $34,600 |
Oklahoma | $37,220 |
Oregon | $51,040 |
Pennsylvania | $37,480 |
South Carolina | $34,930 |
South Dakota | $33,360 |
Tennessee | $35,070 |
Texas | $35,650 |
Utah | $34,940 |
Vermont | $54,520 |
Virginia | $35,790 |
Washington | $37,920 |
West Virginia | $35,170 |
Wisconsin | $35,080 |
Wyoming | $38,500 |
What Tools & Technology do Pesticide Applicators Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Pesticide Applicators may use on a daily basis:
Becoming a Pesticide Applicator
What kind of Pesticide Applicator requirements are there?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Pesticide Applicator?

Pesticide Applicators Sector

Below are examples of industries where Pesticide Applicators work:

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References:
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