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
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingWritingSpeakingMonitoringTime ManagementSocial PerceptivenessService Orientation
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServicePublic Safety and SecurityEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareElectronic mail softwareAccounting softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
Record work activities performed.Inspect premises to identify infestation source and extent of damage to property, wall, or roof poroRecommend treatment and prevention methods for pest problems to clients.
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
51 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Pest Control Technician (Pest Control Tech)Pest Control Service TechnicianInsecticide ExpertTermite Pest Control Technician (Termite Pest Control Tech)Pest TechnicianPest Controller AssistantTermite TechnicianRat ExterminatorRodent Control WorkerField Service TechnicianResidential Pest Control TechnicianTermite Control ServicerMosquito SprayerTermite ExterminatorPest Control OperatorBed Bug ExterminatorSpray WorkerTermite Control Technician (Termite Control Tech)Termite Control Service TechnicianExtermination InspectorExterminator HelperCommercial Pest Control TechnicianInsecticide SprayerTermite Renewal InspectorHand Spray OperatorTermite Control RepresentativePest Control Chemical TechnicianFumigatorMoth ExterminatorTermite InspectorPest Control Service RepresentativeRodent ExterminatorPest Control SpecialistSprayerPest Control Route Technician (Pest Control Route Tech)Termite TreaterService TechnicianPest ControllerExterminator, TermiteCommercial Pest Control Representative