Also called: Exterminator, Pest Management Professional
Identifies and removes insects, rodents, and other pests from homes and businesses.
Inspects a restaurant for cockroaches, seals entry points where mice get in, treats a house for termites, and explains to homeowners how to prevent bed bugs from returning.
BLS May 2024 (pest control workers).
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High school diploma plus state pesticide applicator license.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. Smart traps and remote monitoring cut some checks; inspecting crawl spaces and treating homes stays physical work.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply to pest control companies like Terminix, Orkin or local firms; they register and train you First: State pest technician registration and a short exam, usually within 90 days
Classes: Biology, Chemistry, Business or entrepreneurship, Spanish.
Official data: O*NET occupation 37-2021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.