Pest Control Workers
Apply or release chemical solutions or toxic gases and set traps to kill or remove pests and vermin that infest buildings and surrounding areas.
Also called: Bed Bug Exterminator, Commercial Pest Control Representative, Commercial Pest Control Technician (Commercial Pest Control Tech), Commercial Technician (Commercial Tech), Extermination Inspector, Exterminator
Median pay
$45,250
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$34,680 – $61,890
People employed
102,620
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 2.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 3.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 4.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Tight deadlines are common
- Long hours on your feet
Pest Control Workers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What pest control workers do
- 01Record work activities performed.
- 02Clean work site after completion of job.
- 03Measure area dimensions requiring treatment, calculate fumigant requirements, and estimate cost for service.
- 04Spray or dust chemical solutions, powders, or gases into rooms, onto clothing, furnishings, or wood, or over marshlands, ditches, or catch basins.
- 05Recommend treatment and prevention methods for pest problems to clients.
- 06Inspect premises to identify infestation source and extent of damage to property, wall, or roof porosity and access to infested locations.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Law and Government
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from pest control workers
- Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation89% · +2%
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers83% · +9%
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners77% · +10%
- Agricultural Inspectors74% · +10%
- Light Truck Drivers73% · −1%
Change into pest control workers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation89% · $46,340
- Light Truck Drivers73% · $44,860
- Forest and Conservation Workers72% · $43,680
- Animal Control Workers71% · $45,660
- Animal Breeders69% · $51,130