Occupation · SOC 37-2021
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.
Median wage
$44,730
$32,460–$61,410
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
96,110
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
1 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingActive ListeningWritingSpeakingMonitoringTime ManagementSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationComplex Problem SolvingPersuasionNegotiationJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationActive LearningReading ComprehensionOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlManagement of Personnel ResourcesSystems AnalysisInstructingLearning StrategiesSystems EvaluationQuality Control AnalysisMathematicsTroubleshootingRepairingEquipment MaintenanceManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesEquipment SelectionScienceOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignProgrammingInstallation
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServicePublic Safety and SecurityEnglish LanguageChemistryBiologyLaw and GovernmentSales and MarketingMechanicalMathematicsAdministrativeAdministration and ManagementBuilding and ConstructionGeographyProduction and ProcessingEducation and TrainingEconomics and AccountingTransportationPersonnel and Human ResourcesComputers and ElectronicsPhysicsFood ProductionPsychologyEngineering and TechnologyDesignCommunications and MediaTelecommunicationsForeign LanguageSociology and AnthropologyPhilosophy and TheologyHistory and ArcheologyMedicine and DentistryTherapy and CounselingFine Arts
Technology & tools
Database softwareEmail softwareIntuit QuickBooksMarathon Data Systems PestPacMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft WordReport writing softwareSupply inventory softwareWork scheduling softwareYouTube
Representative tasks
Getting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDocumenting/Recording InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkScheduling Work and ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsThinking CreativelyProcessing InformationSelling or Influencing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesTraining and Teaching OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentPerforming Administrative ActivitiesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersWorking with ComputersAssisting and Caring for OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsRepairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Work activity logs — record daily service tasks under direct supervisor review using standard paper or digital forms at a residential job site.Pest inspection basics — identify common infestation indicators such as droppings, nesting, and entry points under technician guidance during initial property walkthroughs.Chemical application equipment — operate hand-pump sprayers and dusters following labeled instructions and safety protocols on assigned residential routes.Personal protective equipment — select and don required PPE correctly before entering treated areas in compliance with company safety procedures.Work site cleanup — remove debris, dispose of dead pests, and restore client premises to baseline condition after each service call.Company vehicle — drive a truck equipped with basic spraying equipment safely to and from assigned service addresses on a daily route.Client communication — listen attentively to customer descriptions of pest problems and relay findings accurately to a supervising technician.Product labels — read and follow pesticide label directions under supervision to ensure correct dilution ratios at residential and light commercial sites.Scheduling software — enter appointment notes and update job status in the company calendar system under dispatcher guidance.Basic measurements — assist senior technicians in measuring room dimensions and recording data needed to calculate treatment quantities.
developing
Service records — complete accurate digital work-order entries and activity logs independently using company database software after each completed job.Property inspections — conduct structured walkthroughs of residential and light commercial premises to identify infestation sources, wall porosity, and access points with minimal oversight.Treatment recommendations — advise clients on appropriate pest control methods and basic prevention steps based on inspection findings during routine service visits.Chemical application — spray or dust approved solutions, powders, and gases into rooms, onto furnishings, and into wall voids following label requirements and state regulations.Fumigant calculations — measure treatment area dimensions, calculate required fumigant quantities, and prepare cost estimates using established formulas for standard infestations.Power spray equipment — operate truck-mounted power spraying systems safely and efficiently across assigned residential and small commercial territories.Infestation reports — review preliminary client-provided diagrams or reports and select an appropriate treatment type to eliminate and prevent recurrence of common pests.Time management — plan daily service routes to complete multiple appointments on schedule while meeting quality standards without direct supervision.Inventory tracking — monitor chemical supply levels on the service vehicle and submit restocking requests using inventory management software.Customer interaction — explain treatment procedures and safety precautions clearly to clients using plain language during pre- and post-service conversations.
proficient
Complex inspections — independently assess multi-unit residential or commercial properties for extent of structural damage, entry porosity, and infestation severity, producing written reports for client review.Integrated pest management — design and implement comprehensive treatment plans combining chemical, biological, and physical methods for non-routine or recurring infestations across diverse property types.Regulatory compliance — apply state licensing requirements, pesticide safety regulations, and environmental protection standards autonomously across all service environments.Advanced fumigation — calculate precise fumigant requirements for large or irregular structures, manage tarpaulin sealing procedures, and verify clearance levels before re-entry.Client persuasion — present tailored prevention and treatment recommendations convincingly to resistant or skeptical clients, addressing concerns and securing agreement on service plans.Problem diagnosis — analyze patterns across multiple service calls to identify root causes of persistent infestations and adapt treatment strategies accordingly.Documentation quality — produce thorough service records, chemical usage logs, and compliance documentation using spreadsheet and document management software to meet regulatory audit standards.Equipment maintenance — diagnose and perform field-level maintenance on truck-mounted power spraying systems to minimize service interruptions across a full-day schedule.Emerging pest threats — apply active learning to study new pest species, treatment technologies, and industry literature, integrating updated methods into routine practice.Safety incident response — recognize signs of chemical exposure or equipment malfunction and execute emergency response protocols to protect clients, the public, and fellow workers.
advanced
Program development — design and implement company-wide pest management protocols, treatment standards, and quality benchmarks aligned with state regulations and industry best practices.Technician mentorship — train and evaluate new and developing pest control workers on inspection techniques, chemical application, and safety compliance across real service environments.Business estimation — oversee bid preparation for large commercial or municipal contracts, including area measurement, fumigant costing, and margin analysis using accounting and spreadsheet software.Regulatory leadership — serve as the company's designated license holder and compliance authority, managing pesticide-use records and representing the organization in regulatory inspections.Personnel scheduling — allocate technician assignments, manage daily dispatch calendars, and optimize route efficiency across a multi-technician service territory.Client relationship management — negotiate service agreements and resolve escalated customer concerns at the account-management level, maintaining retention for key commercial accounts.Safety culture — establish and enforce company safety policies, PPE standards, and chemical handling procedures, conducting regular audits of field operations to prevent incidents.Technology adoption — evaluate and implement new database, inventory, and electronic mail platforms to improve workflow efficiency and documentation accuracy across the service team.Strategic pest prevention — advise municipal or large commercial clients on long-term integrated pest management strategies, translating complex inspection data into actionable facility improvement plans.Performance monitoring — analyze service quality metrics, callback rates, and chemical usage data across the team to identify improvement opportunities and drive operational excellence.
Also known as
48 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Bed Bug ExterminatorCertified Pest Control TechnicianChemical ApplicatorCommercial Pest Control RepresentativeCommercial Pest Control TechnicianCommercial TechnicianExtermination InspectorExterminatorField Service Representative (Field Service Rep)Field Service TechnicianFumigatorHand Spray OperatorInsecticide ExpertInsecticide SprayerMosquito Control Technician (Mosquito Control Tech)Mosquito SprayerMoth ExterminatorPest Control ApplicatorPest Control Chemical TechnicianPest Control OperatorPest Control Route Technician (Pest Control Route Tech)Pest Control Service ProfessionalPest Control Service RepresentativePest Control Service TechnicianPest Control SpecialistPest Control Technician (Pest Control Tech)Pest ControllerPest Controller AssistantPest TechnicianRat ExterminatorResidential Pest Control TechnicianRodent Control WorkerRodent ExterminatorService TechnicianSpray CrewSpray WorkerSprayerTermite Control RepresentativeTermite Control Service TechnicianTermite Control Servicer