Pest Control Workers
SOC code 37-2021 · O*NET-SOC 37-2021.00 · Little to some preparation needed
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Pest Control Workers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$45,250
a year
Hourly
$21.75
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$46,400
$22.31 per hour
Middle 50%
$37,440 – $49,600
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$34,680 – $61,890
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
102,620
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $34,680
- $16.67/hr
- 25th percentile
- $37,440
- $18.00/hr
- Median percentile
- $45,250
- $21.75/hr
- 75th percentile
- $49,600
- $23.85/hr
- 90th percentile
- $61,890
- $29.75/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+5%
Growing faster than average
102,400
jobs in 2024
107,500
projected for 2034
About 5,100 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Record work activities performed.
- Clean work site after completion of job.
- Measure area dimensions requiring treatment, calculate fumigant requirements, and estimate cost for service.
- Spray or dust chemical solutions, powders, or gases into rooms, onto clothing, furnishings, or wood, or over marshlands, ditches, or catch basins.
- Recommend treatment and prevention methods for pest problems to clients.
- Inspect premises to identify infestation source and extent of damage to property, wall, or roof porosity and access to infested locations.
- 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.
How to become a pest control worker
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a pest control worker earn?
The national median is $45,250 a year. The full range runs from $34,680 at the 10th percentile to $61,890 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a pest control worker without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is pest control worker in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 5% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Writing3.6/5
- Speaking3.6/5
- Monitoring3.6/5
- Active Learning3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- Chemistry3.6/5
- Mathematics3.5/5
- Biology3.2/5
- Law and Government3.2/5
- Public Safety and Security3.1/5
- English Language3.0/5
- Sales and Marketing2.9/5
Transferable strengths: Time Management, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Complex Problem Solving.