How much does a pest control worker make?
The median pest control worker in the United States earns $45,250 per year, about $21.75 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all pest control workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 37-2021.
Pest control worker salary range
Pay for pest control workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $34,680 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $61,890. The average (mean) wage of $46,400 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,680 | $16.67 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $37,440 | $18.00 | |
| Median (50th) | $45,250 | $21.75 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $49,600 | $23.85 | |
| 90th percentile | $61,890 | $29.75 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for pest control workers (SOC 37-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Pest control worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Pest control workers earn the most in Washington at $51,300 a year, and the least in New Mexico at $37,070. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $51,300 | 1,430 |
| South Dakota | $49,920 | 190 |
| Nevada | $49,240 | 790 |
| Connecticut | $49,010 | 880 |
| New Jersey | $48,780 | 2,270 |
| Colorado | $48,650 | 970 |
| Hawaii | $48,570 | 740 |
| New York | $48,530 | 4,220 |
| Maine | $48,340 | 320 |
| North Dakota | $48,020 | 120 |
| New Hampshire | $48,000 | 260 |
| Maryland | $47,360 | 1,670 |
| California | $47,190 | N/A |
| Alaska | $46,900 | 40 |
| Oregon | $46,570 | 740 |
| Illinois | $46,450 | 2,470 |
| Vermont | $46,320 | 80 |
| Virginia | $45,950 | 3,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,720 | 2,260 |
| Massachusetts | $45,560 | 1,900 |
| Wisconsin | $45,350 | 1,060 |
| Delaware | $45,300 | 300 |
| Iowa | $45,290 | 540 |
| Rhode Island | $45,030 | 270 |
| North Carolina | $44,740 | 4,870 |
| Utah | $44,740 | 1,050 |
| Louisiana | $44,570 | 1,930 |
| Wyoming | $44,500 | 50 |
| Michigan | $44,470 | 1,460 |
| Arizona | $44,430 | 3,200 |
| Florida | $44,320 | 12,400 |
| South Carolina | $43,130 | 2,660 |
| Missouri | $42,690 | 1,440 |
| Kentucky | $42,310 | 1,030 |
| Montana | $41,730 | 100 |
| Minnesota | $41,640 | 670 |
| Idaho | $40,220 | 620 |
| Ohio | $40,110 | 2,170 |
| Tennessee | $39,690 | 3,340 |
| Oklahoma | $39,050 | 1,310 |
| Nebraska | $38,960 | 460 |
| Kansas | $38,690 | 760 |
| Indiana | $38,600 | 1,670 |
| Alabama | $38,410 | 2,540 |
| Georgia | $37,860 | 5,770 |
| Arkansas | $37,710 | 1,030 |
| Texas | $37,660 | 9,470 |
| West Virginia | $37,510 | 460 |
| Mississippi | $37,200 | 960 |
| New Mexico | $37,070 | 320 |
State median wages for pest control workers (SOC 37-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for pest control workers
The BLS projects employment of pest control workers to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 108,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 114,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 13,700 openings a year for pest control workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a pest control worker
The typical entry-level education for pest control workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a pest control worker earns
Employer, region, shift, and whether the role is supervisory account for most of the pay spread. Government and large institutional employers often pay above small private contractors.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $51,300) and the lowest (New Mexico, $37,070) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 102,620 people work as pest control workers in the United States. At $45,250 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Pest control worker salary FAQ
How much does a pest control worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a pest control worker is $21.75. The middle half of pest control workers earn between $18.00 and $23.85 per hour.
What is the highest pest control worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of pest control workers earn more than $61,890 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a pest control worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a pest control worker is $45,250. The average (mean) wage of $46,400 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a pest control worker a well paid job?
At $45,250 a year, a pest control worker earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 102,620 people work as pest control workers in the United States.
Which state pays pest control workers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for pest control workers at $51,300 a year. South Dakota ($49,920) and Nevada ($49,240) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a pest control worker a good career?
Employment of pest control workers is projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 13,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a pest control worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for pest control workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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