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Skilled Trades

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 salary (BLS)

$38,000

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$24k – $68k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Pest Control Workers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Pest Control Workers

    Entry / Junior

    $23,560

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Pest Control Workers

    Established

    $38,000

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Pest Control Workers

    Senior

    $53,200

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Record work activities performed.
  • •Inspect premises to identify infestation source and extent of damage to property, wall, or roof porosity and access to infested locations.
  • •Recommend treatment and prevention methods for pest problems to clients.
  • •Spray or dust chemical solutions, powders, or gases into rooms, onto clothing, furnishings, or wood, or over marshlands, ditches, or catch basins.
  • •Clean work site after completion of job.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.