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Pest control technician: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$45,250median pay per year, or $21.75 an hour, May 2025[2]
  1. $34,680lowest 10% earn less
  2. $37,44025th percentile
  3. $45,250median
  4. $49,60075th percentile
  5. $61,890top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[6]

A pest control technician job asks for a high school diploma and on-the-job training[1], and the median pay was $45,250 a year[2]. BLS projects faster growth than the all-occupations rate from 2025 to 2035[3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
+5.5%[3]
Openings per year
13,700[7]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[1]

How much do pest control technicians make?

BLS counts this job as Pest Control Workers. In May 2025, the median wage was $45,250 a year, or $21.75 an hour[2]. Half of workers earned more than that and half earned less[2]. The average was $46,400 a year, or $22.31 an hour[8]. For all occupations in the US, the median annual wage was $50,980[6]. So the pest control median sat below the all-occupations figure.

The spread is fairly narrow in the middle. Here are the annual percentiles[5]:

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[5][9] $34,680 $16.67
25th[5][9] $37,440 $18.00
Median[2] $45,250 $21.75
75th[5][9] $49,600 $23.85
90th[5][9] $61,890 $29.75

A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $34,680[5][10]. BLS publishes percentile wages and no starting salary[10].

These wages cover full-time and part-time workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[11]. In 2025, 5.4% of workers in this job were self-employed[12].

Pay by state and city

Washington had the highest state median at $51,300 a year, followed by South Dakota at $49,920 and Nevada at $49,240[13]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Reno, NV had the highest median at $58,910, then Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $58,380 and Kahului-Wailuku, HI at $55,390[14].

Florida had the most jobs at 12,400, followed by Texas at 9,470 and Georgia at 5,770[15]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area had the most jobs of any metro area at 4,380, with a median of $49,940[16].

Show median pay in 50 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[13]$51,3001,430
South Dakota$49,920190
Nevada$49,240790
Connecticut$49,010880
New Jersey$48,7802,270
Colorado$48,650970
Hawaii$48,570740
New York$48,5304,220
Maine$48,340320
North Dakota$48,020120
New Hampshire$48,000260
Maryland$47,3601,670
California$47,190n/a
Alaska$46,90040
Oregon$46,570740
Illinois$46,4502,470
Vermont$46,32080
Virginia$45,9503,040
Pennsylvania$45,7202,260
Massachusetts$45,5601,900
Wisconsin$45,3501,060
Delaware$45,300300
Iowa$45,290540
Rhode Island$45,030270
North Carolina$44,7404,870
Utah$44,7401,050
Louisiana$44,5701,930
Wyoming$44,50050
Michigan$44,4701,460
Arizona$44,4303,200
Florida$44,32012,400
South Carolina$43,1302,660
Missouri$42,6901,440
Kentucky$42,3101,030
Montana$41,730100
Minnesota$41,640670
Idaho$40,220620
Ohio$40,1102,170
Tennessee$39,6903,340
Oklahoma$39,0501,310
Nebraska$38,960460
Kansas$38,690760
Indiana$38,6001,670
Alabama$38,4102,540
Georgia$37,8605,770
Arkansas$37,7101,030
Texas$37,6609,470
West Virginia$37,510460
Mississippi$37,200960
New Mexico$37,070320

How to become a pest control technician

The path is short and does not need a college degree. A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical education, and no work experience in a related job is needed[1]. Here are the steps from the facts:

BLS says training for this job can usually be finished in under 3 months[18]. Licensing rules vary by state. Workers generally need to finish training and pass an exam, and some states add other requirements[20]. Check with your state regulatory agency for the details[20].

Many pest control companies also want a driver's license and a good driving record[21]. Because methods change, workers often take continuing education classes[22]. With experience, applicators with several years on the job may become supervisors, and some workers start their own business[23].

What pest control technicians do

Technicians apply chemicals or set traps to kill or remove pests in buildings and the areas around them[24]. O*NET lists these tasks among the most important ones[25]:

Good record keeping, customer service and attention to detail matter in this job. Workers apply potentially toxic chemicals and need to follow instructions closely[26][27][28]. The work can also be physical, with hours of standing, bending, kneeling or crawling[29]. Workers report job titles such as exterminator, pest control operator and pest control applicator[30].

Where they work

About 88% of pest control workers were employed in exterminating and pest control services in 2025[31]. Technicians travel to a client's home or business. They work indoors and outdoors in all kinds of weather[32].

BLS says injury and illness rates here rank among the highest of any occupation. Strains and sprains can come from kneeling, bending and crawling in tight spaces, and some pesticides can harm people[33]. The Environmental Protection Agency reviews and approves every pesticide product. Workers are trained and licensed, follow label directions and wear protective gear such as gloves, goggles and respirators[34].

Most pest control workers are employed full time. Evening and weekend work is common, and some workers put in more than 40 hours a week[35].

Job outlook

BLS expects pest control jobs to rise 5.5% between 2025 and 2035, moving from about 108,700 to 114,700, a gain of 6,000[3]. For all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[4]. These counts include self-employed workers[3].

About 13,700 openings a year are projected on average from 2025 to 2035[7]. Openings come from new jobs and also from workers who retire or move into other occupations[7]. Each year, an average of 2.6% of workers leave the labor force and 9.1% move to a different occupation[36].

OEWS counted about 102,620 wage and salary jobs in May 2025[37]. That differs from the projection count because the projection count includes self-employed workers[37][3].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with a low barrier to entry. It needs a high school diploma, no related experience and training that typically takes under 3 months[1][18]. A state license is also required[19]. Median pay was $45,250, below the $50,980 median for all occupations[2][6]. Growth is projected to be faster than the all-occupations rate[3][4]. The work is physical, involves chemicals and has injury and illness rates among the highest of any occupation[29][33]. Pay differs by state, so check your own state's figures in the table below[13].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[38].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a pest control technician make an hour?
The median wage for pest control workers was $21.75 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $22.31 an hour[2][8].
How long does it take to become a pest control technician?
BLS says training can typically be finished in under 3 months[18]. Workers also need a state license[19].
What education do you need to be a pest control technician?
A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry education, with no related work experience needed[1].
Is pest control in demand?
Jobs are expected to rise 5.5% over 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 13,700 openings a year[3][4][7].
What is the highest paying state for pest control workers?
Washington had the highest median annual wage at $51,300 in May 2025[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Pest Control Workers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Pest Control Workers in the US was $45,250 per year and $21.75 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Pest Control Workers is projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 108,700 to 114,700 jobs (a change of +6,000). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Pest Control Workers: 10th percentile $34,680, 25th percentile $37,440, 75th percentile $49,600, 90th percentile $61,890. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  7. BLS Employment Projections: about 13,700 openings for Pest Control Workers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Pest Control Workers was $46,400 per year and $22.31 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Pest Control Workers: 10th percentile $16.67, 25th percentile $18.00, 75th percentile $23.85, 90th percentile $29.75. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS Employment Projections: 5.4% of Pest Control Workers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  13. Median annual wage for Pest Control Workers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Pest Control Workers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Reno, NV $58,910; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $58,380; Kahului-Wailuku, HI $55,390; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $53,380; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $53,050; Vallejo, CA $50,420; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $50,110; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $49,940. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Pest Control Workers jobs: Florida 12,400; Texas 9,470; Georgia 5,770; North Carolina 4,870; New York 4,220. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Pest Control Workers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 4,380 (median $49,940); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 3,430 (median $38,920); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 2,870 (median $38,330); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 2,480 (median $44,890); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 2,180 (median $44,690); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 2,170 (median $37,200). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET description of Pest Control Workers. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Pest Control Workers. O*NET OnLine
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. O*NET 37-2021.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Commercial Pest Control Technician (Commercial Pest Control Tech), Exterminator, Pest Control Applicator, Pest Control Chemical Technician (Pest Control Chemical Tech), Pest Control Operator, Pest Control Technician (Pest Control Tech), Pest Technician (Pest Tech), Residential Pest Control Technician (Residential Pest Control Tech). O*NET OnLine
  31. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of pest control workers in 2025: Exterminating and pest control services 88%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Pest Control Workers: 2.6% of workers leave the labor force each year and 9.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 102,620 people were employed as Pest Control Workers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  38. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.