Apply or release chemical solutions or toxic gases and set traps to kill or remove pests and vermin that infest buildings and surrounding areas.
Pest Control Workers
SOC: 37-2021 O*NET: 37-2021.00
Median Salary
$44,730
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.9%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
13.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Apply or release chemical solutions or toxic gases and set traps to kill or remove pests and vermin that infest buildings and surrounding areas.
What does a Pest Control Workers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$32,460
10th percentile
Early Career
$37,060
25th percentile
Median
$44,730
50th percentile
Experienced
$49,300
75th percentile
Top Earners
$61,410
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$32,460
25th
$37,060
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$44,730
Mean: $45,800
75th
$49,300
90th
$61,410
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $28,950 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $37,060 and $49,300
- •Salary spread is 27.4% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 96,110 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:102,400
Top Industries
Administrative and Support Services96.2%
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services96.2%
Services to Buildings and Dwellings94.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.9%
Annual Openings:13,400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)102,400
Current
2034 (Projected)107,500
+4.9%
+5,100
Employment Change
+4.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Pest Control Workers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
12,290 jobs$45,3701.09x
Florida
11,130 jobs$45,7901.82x
Texas
8,640 jobs$43,4701.00x
Georgia
5,720 jobs$43,6101.89x
North Carolina
4,550 jobs$37,5301.49x
New York
3,870 jobs$48,4700.65x
Arizona
3,370 jobs$38,9601.69x
Virginia
3,050 jobs$44,1801.21x
Tennessee
2,930 jobs$43,8701.44x
South Carolina
2,700 jobs$37,9601.90x
New Jersey
2,480 jobs$46,3700.94x
Alabama
2,410 jobs$40,0201.85x
Pennsylvania
2,250 jobs$45,3100.60x
Illinois
2,130 jobs$46,3100.56x
Ohio
2,090 jobs$43,4200.61x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Writing
86%
#4
Monitoring
80%
#5
Speaking
74%
#6
Time Management
66%
#7
Social Perceptiveness
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Service Orientation
46%
#10
Persuasion
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Writing
intermediate4.3
86%
Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Time Management
intermediate3.3
66%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Persuasion
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Home Health Aides82%
5 shared skills
File Clerks73%
5 shared skills
Physician Assistants67%
5 shared skills
Animal Control Workers67%
5 shared skills
Bill and Account Collectors67%
5 shared skills
Child, Family, and School Social Workers67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Time Management
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Writing
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Pest Control Workers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🌤️
Location
MOSTLY OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
13
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)General Responsibilities (11)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Record work activities performed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Inspect premises to identify infestation source and extent of damage to property, wall, or roof porosity and access to infested locations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Spray or dust chemical solutions, powders, or gases into rooms, onto clothing, furnishings, or wood, or over marshlands, ditches, or catch basins.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Clean work site after completion of job.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Direct, or assist other workers in, treatment or extermination processes to eliminate or control rodents, insects, or weeds.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision88% perform92%
6
Drive truck equipped with power spraying equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Post warning signs and lock building doors to secure area to be fumigated.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Cut or bore openings in building or surrounding concrete, access infested areas, insert nozzle, and inject pesticide to impregnate ground.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Study preliminary reports or diagrams of infested area and determine treatment type required to eliminate and prevent recurrence of infestation.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Set mechanical traps, or place poisonous paste or bait in sewers, burrows, or ditches.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •54% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Pest Control Workers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Pest Control Workers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value independence
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Pest Control Workers
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.25
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.21
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.04
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.96
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.88
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.87
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.3
Dependability
4.2
Attention to Detail
4.0
Independence
4.0
Cooperation
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.9
Self-Control
3.8
Initiative
3.8
Persistence
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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