Pest Control Workers build time management, social perceptiveness and service orientation skills that carry over to other work. Below are 25 careers ranked by how closely their skills match, with pay from BLS May 2025. The closest match is Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation (89%).
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Sorted by skill match.
| # | Career | Skill match | Median pay | Pay change | Extra education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation | 89% | $46,340 | +2% | None |
| 2 | Hazardous Materials Removal Workers | 83% | $49,450 | +9% | None |
| 3 | Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | 77% | $49,880 | +10% | None |
| 4 | Agricultural Inspectors | 74% | $49,940 | +10% | None |
| 5 | Light Truck Drivers | 73% | $44,860 | −1% | None |
| 6 | Forest and Conservation Workers | 72% | $43,680 | −3% | None |
| 7 | Agricultural Technicians | 71% | $49,630 | +10% | Certificate or associate |
| 8 | Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | 71% | $60,020 | +33% | None |
| 9 | Animal Control Workers | 71% | $45,660 | +1% | None |
| 10 | Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | 70% | $61,390 | +36% | None |
Compared with Pest Control Workers, median $45,250. Skill match is our estimate (0–99) from O*NET 31.0 skills, knowledge, work activities and interests, adjusted for preparation and big pay drops. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, national median.
How important each skill is in work as pest control workers (O*NET importance, scale 1–5).
The gaps that show up most often across your top 10 matches.
Free and low-cost training: use the CareerOneStop training finder below.
A concrete first step, the skills to add, and the hard parts of each job, from O*NET 31.0 education, training and work context data.
89% skill match · $46,340 · +2% pay
83% skill match · $49,450 · +9% pay
Installation
77% skill match · $49,880 · +10% pay
Installation · Operation and Control · Equipment Maintenance
If you want to stay close to what you do now, these roles are the nearest.
The closest matches are Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation (89% skill match, median $46,340), Hazardous Materials Removal Workers (83% skill match, median $49,450) and Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners (77% skill match, median $49,880), based on O*NET 31.0 data and BLS May 2025 pay.
Among the 25 matches, 22 pay more than pest control workers at the median. The biggest increases: Subway and Streetcar Operators (+91%, $86,380), Fish and Game Wardens (+64%, $74,060) and Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters (+36%, $61,390).
20 of the 25 matches usually need no more education than you have now, based on O*NET Job Zones.
We compare the importance of skills, knowledge, work activities and interests in O*NET 31.0 for your job and every other career, then adjust for extra preparation and big pay drops. The full method is on our Methodology page.