Careers

Pest Control

Pest management, termite treatment, and wildlife removal

$44k/yr median+4% growth (10-yr)12,400 openings/yrFast entry (<1 yr)License requiredCSI 32

Wages & Job Outlook

$44k

Median wage

per year

$32k

Entry wage

per year

$70k

Top 10%

per year

12K

Annual openings

jobs per year

+4% projected job growth over 10 years — about as fast as average.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024) and Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024–34 projections.

Work-Life & Stability

Schedule

Full-time route-based schedule

Environment

mixed

Overtime

rare

Physical demand

moderate

Travel

Travel typically required

Hazard level

Moderate hazard

Recession-resistant · Classified as essential service

Overview

Pest control technicians inspect, treat, and prevent infestations of insects, rodents, and wildlife in homes and businesses. State pesticide applicator licensing is required in all states.

Day in the Life

Morning: load vehicle with chemicals and equipment per route schedule. Service 6–10 residential or commercial accounts. Inspect for signs of activity, apply treatments, document findings. Afternoon: termite inspection and report writing. Upsell prevention plans.

How to Get Started

On-the-Job Training

on-the-job

Most pest control technicians train on-the-job after hiring through a licensed company

Duration: 3–12 monthsCost: Low / minimal tuition

Certification-First

certification-first

State pesticide applicator license required before working independently

Duration: weeks to monthsCost: Low / minimal tuition

Trade School / Vocational Program

trade-school

Pest management programs at some vocational and community colleges

Duration: 6 monthsCost: Moderate tuition

Find local pest control training near you

Programs, apprenticeship openings, and American Job Centers

Find training →

How to Pay for Your Training

Multiple funding programs can offset or eliminate the cost of training. Here are the most commonly applicable ones.

WIOA Individual Training Account (ITA)

Federally funded training voucher for eligible adults and dislocated workers. ITAs pay for approved programs at WIOA-eligible providers (ETPs). Amounts set by local Workforce Development Boards — typically $3,000–$12,000 per year depending on workforce area. Apply at your nearest American Job Center (CareerOneStop).

Up to $12,000

Apply →

Federal Pell Grant

Need-based federal grant up to $7,395/year for eligible students at accredited colleges and trade schools. Does not need to be repaid. Eligible programs include accredited community colleges, for-profit trade schools (UTI, Lincoln, etc.), and union training centers that are accredited institutions.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

Workforce Pell Grant (SAVES Act)

Starting July 1, 2026, Pell Grant eligibility expands to high-quality short-term workforce programs (8–15 weeks) at eligible institutions. For the first time, trade training programs under 600 hours are Pell-eligible — including many HVAC, electrical, and welding certificates. Students earn the same need-based amount as longer programs.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

GI Bill (Post-9/11, Chapter 33) — Apprenticeship

Post-9/11 GI Bill covers On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Registered Apprenticeship programs. Veterans receive a monthly housing allowance (MHA, based on E-5 w/dependents BAH at program location) that scales up as they advance through the apprenticeship. Covers full 3–5 year apprenticeship programs.

Up to $3,200

Apply →

See all programs you may qualify for →

Job & Training Resources

Apprenticeship.gov Partner Finder

A free U.S. Department of Labor tool for finding registered apprenticeship partners — sponsors, educators, and intermediaries.

Apprenticeship Illinois

Illinois's state apprenticeship initiative, hosted on the Illinois workNet portal, connecting career seekers to registered apprenticeship pathways statewide.

CareerStarter by NCCER

NCCER's free platform that helps job seekers explore construction crafts, build a profile, and connect directly with employers and training programs.

Browse all job & training resources →

Career Ladder

Pest Control Trainee

$32k/yr

0–1 yrs exp.

Works under licensed technician, learning treatments

Licensed Applicator

$40k/yr

1–3 yrs exp.

Holds state license, runs service route independently

Senior Technician

$50k/yr

3–7 yrs exp.

Handles commercial accounts, termite work, wildlife

Branch Manager

$65k/yr

6+ yrs exp.

Manages technicians and operations for a branch

Pest Control Operator

$82k/yr

5+ yrs exp.

Owns licensed pest management company

Licensing by State

State	Required?	License type	Issuing body
AZ	Yes	Pest Management Business License + Qualified Applicator	Arizona Dept of Agriculture Pest Management Division
CA	Yes	Structural Pest Control Operator License + Company Registration	CA Structural Pest Control Board
FL	Yes	Pest Control Business License + Certified Operator	Florida DACS (FDACS)
GA	Yes	Structural Pest Control Company License + Certified Operator	Georgia Dept of Agriculture Structural Pest Division
IL	Yes	Commercial Structural Pest Control Business License + Certified Technician	Illinois Dept of Public Health
MI	Yes	Pesticide Application Business License + Commercial Applicator	Michigan MDARD
NC	Yes	Structural Pest Control License (by phase) + Certified Applicator	NCDA&CS Structural Pest Control Section
NJ	Yes	Pesticide Applicator Business License + Commercial Certified Applicator	NJ Dept of Environmental Protection
NY	Yes	Pesticide Business Registration + Certified Commercial Applicator	NY State DEC
OH	Yes	Pesticide Business License + Commercial Applicator	Ohio Dept of Agriculture
PA	Yes	Pesticide Application Business License + Certified Commercial Applicator	Pennsylvania Dept of Agriculture
TN	Yes	Pest Control Charter + Certified Commercial Applicator	Tennessee Dept of Agriculture
TX	Yes	Structural Pest Control Business License + Certified Commercial Applicator	Texas Dept of Agriculture SPCS
VA	Yes	Pesticide Business License + Certified Commercial Applicator	Virginia VDACS Office of Pesticide Services
WA	Yes	Commercial Applicator License + Structural Pest Inspector license	Washington State Dept of Agriculture

Time to Enter

Time to journeyman1 yr

Fast-entry trade — earning wages in <1 year possible

Wages (BLS 2024)

Entry (10th pct)$32k

Median$44k

Top 10%$70k

BLS OEWS May 2024. Wages vary by state and employer.

Compare all trades side-by-side →Find training funding →

Own a pest control business?

Verified · 2 sources

What it's worth today — the starting point for weighing any exit.

First Page Sage

PE / strategic buyer

4.8×–8.3×

× EBITDA

Peak Business Valuation

Appraisal / small business

2.34×–2.9×

× SDE

The two lenses differ on purpose: PE / strategic buyers pay a multiple of EBITDA (management-run, platform-scale), while an appraisal / small-business value is a multiple of SDE (owner-operated). Most trades land between the two.

Full valuation breakdown →Explore exit paths →