Pest Control Workers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Pest Control Workers fall under the Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance category in the U.S. occupational classification. Pest Control Workers earn a median salary of $44,730 per year, ranking in the top 78% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +4.9% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do pest control workers earn?

The median annual wage for pest control workers is $44,730. That puts pest control workers at #629 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is pest control workers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for pest control workers is +4.9%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 102K positions in 2024 to 107K in 2034, a net change of 5K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do pest control workers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working pest control workers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Drive truck equipped with power spraying equipment.
2. 2.Study preliminary reports or diagrams of infested area and determine treatment type required to eliminate and prevent recurrence of infestation.
3. 3.Recommend treatment and prevention methods for pest problems to clients.
4. 4.Spray or dust chemical solutions, powders, or gases into rooms, onto clothing, furnishings, or wood, or over marshlands, ditches, or catch basins.
5. 5.Measure area dimensions requiring treatment, calculate fumigant requirements, and estimate cost for service.
6. 6.Inspect premises to identify infestation source and extent of damage to property, wall, or roof porosity and access to infested locations.
7. 7.Clean work site after completion of job.
8. 8.Direct, or assist other workers in, treatment or extermination processes to eliminate or control rodents, insects, or weeds.

Top skills for pest control workers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become pest control worker?

Many pest control workers enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers
  $56,170 median
• Tree Trimmers and Pruners
  $50,430 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers
  $47,520 median
• Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
  $45,200 median
• Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other
  $43,410 median
• Building Cleaning Workers, All Other
  $42,360 median

Common questions parents ask about pest control workers