Occupation · SOC 37-3012
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
Mix or apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides through sprays, dusts, vapors, soil incorporation, or chemical application on trees, shrubs, lawns, or crops. Usually requires specific training and state or federal certification.
Median wage
$45,200
$34,590–$58,910
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
25,200
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
110 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningTime ManagementSpeakingCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingMonitoringEquipment MaintenanceActive LearningWritingService OrientationManagement of Personnel ResourcesQuality Control AnalysisPersuasionNegotiationInstructingTroubleshootingRepairingMathematicsLearning StrategiesEquipment SelectionSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisScienceManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesTechnology DesignOperations AnalysisProgrammingInstallation
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceBiologyProduction and ProcessingEnglish LanguageAdministration and ManagementPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingMathematicsLaw and GovernmentTransportationChemistryMechanicalSales and MarketingAdministrativePersonnel and Human ResourcesGeographyComputers and ElectronicsTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaPhysicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignEconomics and AccountingForeign LanguagePsychologyMedicine and DentistrySociology and AnthropologyTherapy and CounselingFood ProductionPhilosophy and TheologyHistory and ArcheologyBuilding and ConstructionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Customer database softwareFacebookGeographic information system GIS systemsGoogle AndroidMaterials inventory softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookRate calculation softwareUnit conversion software
Representative tasks
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsGetting InformationPerforming General Physical ActivitiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsHandling and Moving ObjectsDocumenting/Recording InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsControlling Machines and ProcessesScheduling Work and ActivitiesProcessing InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationSelling or Influencing OthersTraining and Teaching OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersThinking CreativelyCoaching and Developing OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationPerforming Administrative ActivitiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDeveloping and Building TeamsWorking with ComputersStaffing Organizational UnitsRepairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Pesticide and herbicide labels — read and interpret under direct supervisor guidance before mixing chemicals on a residential or commercial grounds site.Sprayer tanks — fill with measured volumes of water and chemical concentrates according to pre-established formulas under close technician oversight.Hoses, nozzles, and spray tubes — connect and position following a supervisor's step-by-step instructions on a designated treatment area.Spray equipment motors and agitator pumps — start and disengage using manufacturer checklists under direct observation on a grounds maintenance crew.Basic lawn and plant symptoms — recognize visual signs of pest infestation or disease and report findings to a lead applicator for treatment decisions.Personal protective equipment — select and don correctly before handling pesticides or herbicides at a job site, following posted safety protocols.Spray nozzles — lift, push, and swing manually to cover assigned surface areas while maintaining footing on flat terrain under supervisor direction.Mixing and application records — complete basic paper logs of chemicals used, quantities, and treatment zones with guidance from a senior crew member.Machinery cleaning procedures — assist in washing and rinsing sprayer components with water or approved solvents at the end of each shift.Weather conditions — identify obvious factors such as high wind or rain and report them to a supervisor before beginning a scheduled application.
developing
Pesticide and herbicide mixtures — prepare independently according to product formulas, adjusting concentrations for different target vegetation types on routine commercial accounts.Sprayer tank volumes — calculate fill quantities for multiple chemical combinations using known dilution ratios without requiring supervisor verification on each batch.Nozzle and hose configurations — select appropriate tip sizes and connection types based on terrain slope, infestation pattern, and required distribution spread on familiar job sites.Lawn and plant diseases — identify common fungal, insect, or weed conditions and determine a standard treatment plan with minimal guidance from a lead applicator.Application depth and coverage — adjust spray velocity and equipment elevation to meet specified coverage targets, incorporating known droplet size data and site obstructions.Portable spray equipment — operate and monitor pump pressure and agitator function throughout a treatment cycle, correcting minor irregularities without stopping work.Sprayer machinery — perform routine cleaning and lubrication using water, gasoline, and hand tools on a regular maintenance schedule to sustain operating efficiency.Time management — sequence multiple treatment stops within a daily route to meet scheduled service windows for residential and commercial clients.Customer interaction — communicate treatment plans, re-entry intervals, and safety precautions clearly to property owners or facility managers at the job site.Inventory tracking — record chemical stock usage in paper or digital logs and flag reorder needs to ensure uninterrupted supply for upcoming treatment days.
proficient
Complex pesticide formulations — mix multi-product tank combinations for trees, shrubs, and botanical crops, applying chemistry knowledge to achieve efficacy while minimizing off-target drift.Plant and vegetation disease diagnosis — evaluate a range of fungal, bacterial, and insect-related conditions across diverse landscape settings and independently prescribe targeted treatment protocols.Application parameters — calculate and apply elevation-to-distance ratios, droplet sizing, and chemical coverage depth across varied terrain and weather conditions without supervisory input.Equipment configurations — select and assemble nozzle, hose, and pump combinations optimized for the specific velocity, pattern, and infestation type of each non-routine service call.Regulatory compliance — interpret federal, state, and local pesticide application laws and public safety requirements and ensure every treatment meets legal standards on every job.Spray equipment systems — diagnose mechanical faults in pumps, agitators, and hose assemblies and perform corrective repairs using hand tools and lubricants in the field.Environmental risk assessment — evaluate wind speed, temperature inversions, proximity to water bodies, and bystander presence to adjust or postpone applications to prevent chemical exposure incidents.Client problem solving — analyze recurring vegetation or pest management failures on established accounts and develop alternative treatment strategies using available chemical and biological options.Digital application records — enter treatment data into inventory management or analytical software accurately, producing complete documentation for regulatory audit or client review.Geographic information tools — use GIS or mapping software to plan treatment routes, identify sensitive buffer zones, and confirm coverage on large commercial or municipal grounds contracts.
advanced
Chemical application programs — design site-specific integrated pest management plans for large commercial or municipal vegetation accounts, balancing efficacy, cost, and environmental compliance standards.Crew training and development — coach emerging and developing applicators on mixing procedures, equipment operation, disease identification, and safety protocols across active job sites.Regulatory strategy — interpret evolving pesticide law, licensing requirements, and public safety codes and translate them into updated standard operating procedures for the entire service operation.Quality assurance — audit field applications for coverage accuracy, record completeness, and regulatory adherence, identifying systemic gaps and driving corrective action across the workforce.Equipment procurement and maintenance programs — evaluate, select, and establish preventive maintenance schedules for sprayer fleets and portable equipment to maximize uptime and operational efficiency.Environmental stewardship — lead adoption of reduced-risk chemistries, precision application technologies, and buffer zone protocols that minimize ecological impact across a portfolio of client sites.Operational scheduling — build and manage multi-crew treatment calendars that align chemical application windows with weather forecasts, client requirements, and labor availability at scale.Customer relationship management — serve as the senior technical authority for key commercial and municipal accounts, resolving escalated vegetation or pest management concerns and expanding service agreements.Safety culture — establish and enforce site safety standards, PPE compliance, and chemical emergency response procedures, reducing incident rates across all crews and job sites.Business and inventory oversight — manage chemical inventory systems, supplier relationships, and cost controls using spreadsheet and inventory management software to maintain profitability and supply chain continuity.
Also known as
42 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Agricultural Service WorkerApplicatorApplicator SprayerCertified Pesticide ApplicatorChemical ApplicatorCommercial Lawn SpecialistCrop ApplicatorCustom ApplicatorEradicatorFertilizer ApplicatorFruit SprayerFumigatorHand Spray OperatorHand SprayerHerbicide SprayerHydro-Sprayer OperatorInsecticide SprayerIntegrated Pest Management Technician (IPM Technician)Knapsack SprayerLawn and Garden TechnicianLawn Care SpecialistLawn SpecialistLawn Spray TechnicianLawn TechnicianLicensed Pesticide ApplicatorOrchard SprayerPest Control TechnicianPest LocatorPest TechnicianPesticide ApplicatorPlant SprayerResidential Lawn SpecialistSpray ApplicatorSpray MixerSpray TechnicianSprayerTree and Shrub TechnicianTree and Shrub WorkerWeed ControllerWeed Eradicator