Mix or apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides through sprays, dusts, vapors, soil incorporation, or chemical application on trees, shrubs, lawns, or crops. Usually requires specific training and state or federal certification.
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
SOC: 37-3012 O*NET: 37-3012.00
Median Salary
$45,200
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.8%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
4.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Mix or apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides through sprays, dusts, vapors, soil incorporation, or chemical application on trees, shrubs, lawns, or crops. Usually requires specific training and state or federal certification.
What does a Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$34,590
10th percentile
Early Career
$38,040
25th percentile
Median
$45,200
50th percentile
Experienced
$50,960
75th percentile
Top Earners
$58,910
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$34,590
25th
$38,040
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$45,200
Mean: $45,960
75th
$50,960
90th
$58,910
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $24,320 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $38,040 and $50,960
- •Salary spread is 28.6% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 25,200 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:29,600
Top Industries
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services61.9%
Administrative and Support Services61.7%
Services to Buildings and Dwellings60.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.8%
Annual Openings:4,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)29,600
Current
2034 (Projected)30,700
+3.8%
+1,100
Employment Change
+3.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 47 locations
Florida
4,420 jobs$40,2402.75x
California
1,930 jobs$44,5400.65x
Minnesota
1,440 jobs$48,3003.01x
Illinois
1,240 jobs$47,4101.25x
Indiana
1,230 jobs$47,5402.36x
Texas
1,140 jobs$45,5300.50x
Colorado
890 jobs$46,0401.89x
Washington
750 jobs$48,5701.30x
Ohio
730 jobs$47,8900.81x
South Dakota
690 jobs$45,6509.26x
New Jersey
680 jobs$55,6800.98x
Georgia
660 jobs$35,7500.84x
Missouri
550 jobs$39,2701.15x
Mississippi
530 jobs$40,4702.78x
Montana
500 jobs$37,9606.03x
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
Speaking
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Time Management
80%
#5
Coordination
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Reading Comprehension
54%
#9
Operation and Control
46%
#10
Operations Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Time Management
intermediate4.0
80%
Coordination
intermediate3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Reading Comprehension
basic2.7
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
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Operation and Control
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Operations Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels82%
5 shared skills
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82%
5 shared skills
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters82%
5 shared skills
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals82%
5 shared skills
Prepress Technicians and Workers82%
5 shared skills
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Time Management
Learn on the Job:
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Judgment and Decision Making
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Time Management
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
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 Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
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
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechGoogle Android
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Google Android
Microsoft Excel
Facebook
📚 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
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡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 moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
10
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (6)Planning & Development (4)
1
Fill sprayer tanks with water and chemicals, according to formulas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Mix pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides for application to trees, shrubs, lawns, or botanical crops.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Cover areas to specified depths with pesticides, applying knowledge of weather conditions, droplet sizes, elevation-to-distance ratios, and obstructions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Lift, push, and swing nozzles, hoses, and tubes to direct spray over designated areas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Start motors and engage machinery, such as sprayer agitators or pumps or portable spray equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Connect hoses and nozzles selected according to terrain, distribution pattern requirements, types of infestations, and velocities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Clean or service machinery to ensure operating efficiency, using water, gasoline, lubricants, or hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Provide driving instructions to truck drivers to ensure complete coverage of designated areas, using hand and horn signals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Plant grass with seed spreaders, and operate straw blowers to cover seeded areas with mixtures of asphalt and straw.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Identify lawn or plant diseases to determine the appropriate course of treatment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •70% 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 Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
💡 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?
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.16
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.05
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.01
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.92
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.91
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.75
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.2
Attention to Detail
4.0
Independence
4.0
Cooperation
3.9
Integrity
3.9
Self-Control
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.6
Concern for Others
3.6
Initiative
3.6
Achievement/Effort
3.6
💡 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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