Pest control workers: licensing, jobs and pay in the United States
96,110 people work as pest control workers in the United States, and the median pay is $44,730 a year (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024).
The Census Bureau counts 16,535 exterminating and pest control businesses with employees, with 139,150 employees and a payroll of $7,439,859,000 a year (2023 County Business Patterns).
Figures last updated on .
- Jobs
- 96,110
- Median pay, a year
- $44,730
- Businesses with employees
- 16,535
Pest control workers by state
| State | Jobs | Median pay, a year | Businesses with employees | Businesses per 10,000 homes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 12,290 | $45,370 | 1,984 | 1.4 |
| Florida | 11,130 | $45,790 | 2,301 | 2.2 |
| Texas | 8,640 | $43,470 | 1,498 | 1.2 |
| Georgia | 5,720 | $43,610 | 723 | 1.6 |
| North Carolina | 4,550 | $37,530 | 573 | 1.2 |
| New York | 3,870 | $48,470 | 788 | 0.9 |
| Arizona | 3,370 | $38,960 | 565 | 1.8 |
| Virginia | 3,050 | $44,180 | 426 | 1.2 |
| Tennessee | 2,930 | $43,870 | 424 | 1.3 |
| South Carolina | 2,700 | $37,960 | 407 | 1.7 |
| New Jersey | 2,480 | $46,370 | 429 | 1.1 |
| Alabama | 2,410 | $40,020 | 338 | 1.4 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,250 | $45,310 | 423 | 0.7 |
| Illinois | 2,130 | $46,310 | 395 | 0.7 |
| Ohio | 2,090 | $43,420 | 378 | 0.7 |
| Louisiana | 2,010 | $41,600 | 304 | 1.4 |
| Massachusetts | 1,670 | $45,790 | 252 | 0.8 |
| Indiana | 1,570 | $47,130 | 261 | 0.9 |
| Maryland | 1,520 | $43,790 | 223 | 0.9 |
| Washington | 1,420 | $50,190 | 220 | 0.7 |
| Missouri | 1,350 | $38,570 | 290 | 1.0 |
| Michigan | 1,290 | $45,320 | 259 | 0.6 |
| Oklahoma | 1,210 | $36,880 | 268 | 1.5 |
| Arkansas | 1,200 | $37,240 | 170 | 1.2 |
| Oregon | 1,070 | $42,930 | 158 | 0.9 |
| Colorado | 1,010 | $50,450 | 183 | 0.7 |
| Mississippi | 990 | $37,620 | 191 | 1.4 |
| Kentucky | 940 | $38,250 | 173 | 0.9 |
| Utah | 880 | $42,460 | 212 | 1.7 |
| Nevada | 870 | $44,320 | 204 | 1.5 |
| Wisconsin | 860 | $48,370 | 184 | 0.7 |
| Connecticut | 800 | $46,830 | 104 | 0.7 |
| Kansas | 780 | $45,370 | 190 | 1.5 |
| Hawaii | 730 | $48,420 | 59 | 1.0 |
| Idaho | 540 | $42,650 | 110 | 1.4 |
| Minnesota | 510 | $45,830 | 104 | 0.4 |
| Iowa | 470 | $36,510 | 146 | 1.0 |
| Nebraska | 370 | $37,090 | 93 | 1.1 |
| New Mexico | 360 | $36,340 | 109 | 1.1 |
| West Virginia | 360 | $37,930 | 58 | 0.7 |
| Maine | 320 | $49,940 | 50 | 0.7 |
| Delaware | 280 | — | 49 | 1.1 |
| New Hampshire | 280 | $48,750 | 56 | 0.9 |
| Rhode Island | 260 | $46,660 | 50 | 1.0 |
| South Dakota | 150 | $38,850 | 32 | 0.8 |
| North Dakota | 110 | $48,840 | 15 | 0.4 |
| Montana | 100 | $44,820 | 45 | 0.9 |
| Vermont | 80 | $46,280 | 19 | 0.6 |
| Wyoming | 60 | $37,030 | 22 | 0.8 |
| Alaska | 50 | $47,930 | 16 | 0.5 |
| District of Columbia | — | — | 4 | 0.1 |
The highest median pay is in Colorado ($50,450), Washington ($50,190), Maine ($49,940).
The lowest is in New Mexico ($36,340), Iowa ($36,510), Oklahoma ($36,880).
What pest control workers earn
| United States | |
|---|---|
| Median pay, a year | $44,730 |
| Median pay, an hour | $21.51 |
| 10th percentile | $32,460 |
| 25th percentile | $37,060 |
| 75th percentile | $49,300 |
| 90th percentile | $61,410 |
| Average pay, a year | $45,800 |
Federal rules and model codes for pest control workers
Applying restricted-use pesticides requires certification as an applicator, granted by the state under a plan EPA approves, with the standards in 40 CFR part 171.
An employer whose workers use hazardous chemicals, cleaning products among them, must keep safety data sheets, label containers and train workers under OSHA’s hazard communication standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).
A model code becomes law only where a state or city adopts it; the building or licensing department says which edition applies.
- EPA certification of pesticide applicators (40 CFR part 171)
- OSHA hazard communication (29 CFR 1910.1200)
Licenses for pest control workers
Licensing for this trade is set by each state, and often by the city or county as well; each state’s page links the official license lookup for it.
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Questions about Pest control workers
How much do pest control workers make?
The median pay for pest control workers in the United States is $44,730 a year, and half earn between $37,060 and $49,300 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024).
How many pest control workers are there in the United States?
96,110 people work as pest control workers, by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2024 count of jobs.
Where do pest control workers earn the most?
The highest median pay is in Colorado ($50,450), Washington ($50,190), Maine ($49,940).
Do pest control workers need a license?
Licensing is set by each state, and often by the city or county as well; the US Department of Labor’s License Finder lists the licenses each state requires and the agency that issues each.
Sources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
- US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023
- US Department of Labor, CareerOneStop License Finder
- EPA certification of pesticide applicators (40 CFR part 171)
- OSHA hazard communication (29 CFR 1910.1200)
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are published by the US Census Bureau and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them. Rules are summarized from their official text, which governs; this page is not legal advice, and a state or city may add requirements of its own.
Figures last updated on .