More than 140,000 pest control technicians are employed in the United States today.
Even with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and all the logistic challenges that followed, pest control technician employment still increased by 2.1 percent in the past four years.
In this article, we will answer the question: How much do pest control technicians make? We will also explore some of the more in-depth facets of pest control salary in the United States.
We will also examine the average hourly pest control pay rate for pest control technicians alongside their annual salary averages and the US cities that pay exterminators the most money.
We have used 2022 statistics from Indeed and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to correctly represent the current rate of a pest control technician’s salary.
- Average Hourly Pest Control Technician Salary
- Highest Paying Cities for Hourly Pest Control Salary
- Average Annual Pest Control Technician Salary
- Annual Pest Control Technician Salary Range by State
- Highest Paying Annual Cities for Pest Control Technicians
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Are Pest Control Salaries High in the United States?
- Increase Profits Using Pest Control Software
- Benefits of Using PestPac for Your Pest Control Business
- Final Notes
Average Hourly Pest Control Technician Salary
So, how much does an exterminator make hourly?
Nationally, the average pest control technician’s salary is about $20 an hour. The average calculation includes the salaries of both areas with a high cost of living and areas with a low cost of living to provide an average rate. It’s for this reason that some of the price ranges vary so much.
The lowest pest control technician salary is over six dollars less, landing at $12.01. The highest hourly wage for a pest control technician is $29.41, eleven dollars more than the national average.
While these nationwide statistics can provide a good idea of what a pest control technician makes, you can see a much clearer picture of hourly wages when comparing them state by state.
Hourly Pest Control Salary Range by State
The lowest hourly wage represents entry-level workers in this table. The highest hourly wage in the wage range is for those with years of experience in the industry.
The salary range can vary based on other factors like certifications, level of education, and job skills.
The highest hourly average rate belongs to Rhode Island at $21.55. The lowest hourly average features in Arkansas at $13.83 an hour.
| State | Lowest Hourly | Average Hourly | Highest Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $14.57 | $16.66 | $20.94 |
| Alaska | $17.14 | $19.60 | $24.63 |
| Arizona | $14.84 | $16.97 | $21.33 |
| Arkansas | $12.10 | $13.83 | $17.38 |
| California | $17.52 | $20.02 | $25.16 |
| Colorado | $16.72 | $19.12 | $24.03 |
| Connecticut | $16.55 | $18.92 | $23.78 |
| Delaware | $18.62 | $21.29 | $26.76 |
| Florida | $14.67 | $16.77 | $21.08 |
| Georgia | $14.14 | $16.17 | $20.32 |
| Hawaii | $15.16 | $17.34 | $21.79 |
| Idaho | $15.59 | $17.83 | $22.41 |
| Illinois | $15.49 | $17.71 | $22.26 |
| Indiana | $16.40 | $18.75 | $23.56 |
| Iowa | $15.87 | $18.15 | $22.81 |
| Kansas | $16.93 | $19.36 | $24.33 |
| Kentucky | $13.99 | $16.00 | $20.11 |
| Louisiana | $14.45 | $16.52 | $20.76 |
| Maine | $16.42 | $18.78 | $23.60 |
| Maryland | $15.91 | $18.19 | $22.86 |
| Massachusetts | $17.95 | $20.52 | $25.79 |
| Michigan | $17.26 | $19.74 | $24.81 |
| Minnesota | $16.70 | $19.09 | $23.99 |
| Mississippi | $16.30 | $18.64 | $23.43 |
| Missouri | $16.21 | $18.54 | $23.30 |
| Montana | $16.67 | $19.06 | $23.95 |
| Nebraska | $15.79 | $18.05 | $22.68 |
| Nevada | $14.58 | $16.67 | $20.95 |
| New Hampshire | $18.85 | $21.55 | $27.08 |
| New Jersey | $16.58 | $18.96 | $23.83 |
| New Mexico | $14.13 | $16.16 | $20.31 |
| New York | $16.32 | $18.66 | $23.45 |
| North Carolina | $16.30 | $18.64 | $23.43 |
| North Dakota | $14.54 | $16.62 | $20.89 |
| Ohio | $15.44 | $17.65 | $22.18 |
| Oklahoma | $12.79 | $14.62 | $18.37 |
| Oregon | $16.69 | $19.08 | $23.98 |
| Pennsylvania | $15.67 | $17.92 | $22.52 |
| Rhode Island | $17.63 | $20.16 | $25.34 |
| South Carolina | $15.17 | $17.35 | $21.80 |
| South Dakota | $16.39 | $18.74 | $23.55 |
| Tennessee | $15.44 | $17.65 | $22.18 |
| Texas | $13.75 | $15.72 | $19.76 |
| Utah | $14.43 | $16.50 | $20.74 |
| Vermont | $16.56 | $18.93 | $23.79 |
| Virginia | $15.31 | $17.51 | $22.01 |
| Washington | $17.24 | $19.71 | $24.77 |
| West Virginia | $17.13 | $19.59 | $24.62 |
| Wisconsin | $17.20 | $19.67 | $24,72 |
| Wyoming | $12.54 | $14.34 | $18.02 |
Highest Paying Cities for Hourly Pest Control Salary
If you want an even more in-depth look at what pest control technicians make in hourly wages, you can reference the cities that pay exterminators the highest rate per hour.
As seen in the table above, each state has a relatively large range of hourly pay from low to high. This pay is often based on the cost of living in a specific area. Bigger cities usually offer higher salaries to pest control technicians than rural technicians make.
If you are a pest control technician looking for a salary that fits your needs, searching city by city can be more useful than state by state.
Below we have included the United States cities that pay their pest control technicians the highest hourly salaries.
Sacramento in California leads the pack with an average of $21.04 per hour. Then comes Huntsville, Alabama, at $18.50 per hour, and Knoxville, Tennessee, at $18.33 per hour. All three of these cities rank above the national average.
The next highest-paying city is Phoenix, Arizona, where a pest control tech can average $17.83 per hour, and in Orlando, Florida, it’s $16.62 per hour.
Average Annual Pest Control Technician Salary
In the US, the average yearly pest control technician salary is $37,820.
The lowest annual salary is almost $13,000 less than the average annual salary, and the highest is $61,170. The highest annual salary is over $20,000 more than the yearly average.
Annual Pest Control Technician Salary Range by State
In this table, the lowest wage in the annual range represents entry-level pest control workers, and the highest annual wage is usually reserved for those with decades of experience in the industry.
New Hampshire has the highest average annual salary of $53,603, and Arkansas has the lowest average annual salary, where technicians earn an average of $34,395.
| State | Lowest Annual | Average Annual | Highest Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,245 | $41,443 | $52,084 |
| Alaska | $42,636 | $48,751 | $61,268 |
| Arizona | $36,922 | $42,218 | $53,058 |
| Arkansas | $30,081 | $34,395 | $43,226 |
| California | $43,566 | $49,814 | $62,605 |
| Colorado | $41,591 | $47,556 | $59,766 |
| Connecticut | $41,169 | $47,074 | $59,161 |
| Delaware | $46,323 | $52,966 | $66,566 |
| Florida | $36,491 | $41,724 | $52,438 |
| Georgia | $35,178 | $40,224 | $50,552 |
| Hawaii | $37,733 | $43,144 | $54,222 |
| Idaho | $38,784 | $44,347 | $55,734 |
| Illinois | $38,522 | $44,047 | $55,357 |
| Indiana | $40,790 | $46,640 | $58,616 |
| Iowa | $39,495 | $45,160 | $56,756 |
| Kansas | $42,119 | $48,159 | $60,525 |
| Kentucky | $34,820 | $38,815 | $50,038 |
| Louisiana | $35,937 | $41,092 | $51,643 |
| Maine | $40,850 | $46,709 | $58,702 |
| Maryland | $39,576 | $45,253 | $56,872 |
| Massachusetts | $44,649 | $51,053 | $64,161 |
| Michigan | $42,954 | $49,115 | $61,726 |
| Minnesota | $41,537 | $49,115 | $59,689 |
| Mississippi | $40,555 | $46,371 | $58,278 |
| Missouri | $40,337 | $46,122 | $57,965 |
| Montana | $41,470 | $47,418 | $59,594 |
| Nebraska | $39,266 | $44,898 | $56,426 |
| Nevada | $36,262 | $41,463 | $52,110 |
| New Hampshire | $46,880 | $53,603 | $67,367 |
| New Jersey | $41,242 | $47,157 | $59,266 |
| New Mexico | $35,156 | $40,198 | $50,520 |
| New York | $40,597 | $46,420 | $58,339 |
| North Carolina | $40,558 | $46,374 | $58,282 |
| North Dakota | $36,149 | $41,334 | $51,947 |
| Ohio | $38,410 | $43,918 | $55,195 |
| Oklahoma | $31,811 | $36,374 | $45,714 |
| Oregon | $41,519 | $47,473 | $59, 663 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,977 | $44,567 | $56,011 |
| Rhode Island | $43,866 | $50,158 | $63,036 |
| South Carolina | $37,752 | $43,166 | $54,250 |
| South Dakota | $40,777 | $46,626 | $58,598 |
| Tennessee | $38,403 | $43,911 | $55,186 |
| Texas | $34,191 | $39,095 | $49,134 |
| Utah | $35,906 | $41,055 | $51,597 |
| Vermont | $41,175 | $47,080 | $59,168 |
| Virginia | $38,094 | $43,558 | $54,742 |
| Washington | $42,890 | $49,041 | $61,633 |
| West Virginia | $42,631 | $48,745 | $61,261 |
| Wisconsin | $42,788 | $48,925 | $61,487 |
| Wyoming | $31,194 | $35,668 | $44,826 |
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Highest Paying Annual Cities for Pest Control Technicians
All of the cities with the highest annual salaries for pest control technicians rank above the national average. Sacramento, California, has the highest annual salary at $52,335. Huntsville, Alabama, ranks second at $46,020.
In Knoxville, Tennessee, the average pest control technician can make $45,602 a year. In Birmingham, Alabama, the annual average is $44,344. Pest control technicians can make $43,316 a year, and in Sheridan, Wyoming, they can make $42,419 annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aside from wanting to know how much pest control makes, you might have a few more questions about the pest control industry and pest control technicians in general.
Read on to find out what questions other curious internet sleuths ask about pest control technician salary and more.
What is a pest control technician?
Pest control technicians deal with unwanted pest infestations and use professional tools to eliminate bugs and vermin in residential and commercial sites.
These technicians are sometimes called pest control specialists, termite technicians, and pesticide technicians. They can identify what pests are infesting customers’ homes and businesses and find various solutions to banish them once and for all.
They can identify where nests of creepy crawlers and wild critters are located, answer customer concerns and questions, and administer pest treatments while following industry safety standards.
What are the responsibilities of a pest control technician?
The pest control technician’s job includes fumigating job sites using chemical mixtures that treat vermin and insect infestations.
They have to drive to pest control appointments to conduct independent inspections of residential and commercial buildings and determine the best course of action to prevent and eliminate infestations.
They should be able to identify and possibly capture animals, insects, and other creepy crawlers. A squeamish person or someone who is frightened by vermin and bugs isn’t well suited to pest control work.
Pest control technicians have to locate, record, and update digital databases using GPS technology. They should have strong communication skills and writing abilities and familiarize themselves with EPA pesticide standards.
What are the requirements for a pest control technician?
To become a pest control technician, you need to have a high school diploma or GED. You will need a valid driver’s license and the ability to work in a variety of weather conditions.
The best pest control technicians have customer service skills, problem-solving skills, and communication skills. It also helps to be detail-oriented and thorough.
Proven pest control experience can net you higher pay, and all 50 states require additional certifications to perform specific pest control duties.
What credentials do pest control technicians require?
All pest control technicians must be certified, but certification requirements vary from state to state, depending on several factors. Whatever certification you need will have to be renewed and kept active in order for you to provide pest control services.
Most training courses cover EPA-approved material, and students have to get passing scores on their state licensing exam.
Many states offer certification classes at technical schools and community college campuses. There are also various pest control training centers around the country. Certification classes cover topics like vermin control, fumigation, termite control, and pesticide safety guidelines.
The average certification class will last for about three months and cost anywhere from $200 to $500.
There are expectations for pest control technicians to adapt and evolve alongside industry standards as new technologies and regulations emerge.
What are the highest-paying pest control industries?
You can break down average annual salaries from the highest-paying pest control industries to discover which sectors pay the most for skilled pest control technicians.
All of these industries offer above-average salaries.
The Federal Executive Branch of the US government pays its technicians an average of $28.44 hourly and $59,160 annually. State governments (except for schools and hospitals) pay $25.39 an hour and $52,810 annually.
Medical and surgical hospitals pay pest control technicians $24.30 an hour and $50,540 per year. Next up is the real estate industry, which pays $24.30 an hour and $47,460 annually.
What are the lowest-paying pest control industries?
Company Management pays its pest control technicians the lowest average salary for a pest control specialist at $31,370, which is over $6,000 less than the national average.
The construction industry pays pest control technicians $37,890 a year, $70 more than the national average. Waste management services offer $40,150 a year, and the healthcare industry pays $40,580.
Pest control specialists in the educational system make $44,480 a year. That’s a whopping $6,660 more than the annual average nationwide.
Who hires the most pest control technicians?
In 2020, Rollins Incorporated employed the most pest control technicians through their subsidiary companies, Crane Pest Control, The Industrial Fumigant Company, Orkin, Northwest Exterminating, Western Pest Service, and HomeTeam Pest Defense.
Terminix International came in second, followed by Rentokil, Arrow Exterminators, Massey Services, Anticimex, and Cook’s Pest Control.
Incidentally, Rentokil recently bought Terminex International in December of 2021 for $6.7 billion. This merger will combine two of the world’s most popular pest control companies into one larger company under Rentokil’s authority.
Are Pest Control Salaries High in the United States?
In 2022, the average hourly wage in the United States rose to $26.94 an hour. That’s $8.76 more expensive than the national hourly average of a pest control technician.
It shows that the average pest control salary is rather impressive when you take into consideration the requirements needed for entry-level positions and the prevalence of upward mobility in the industry.
For comparison, US plumbers average $24.58 an hour, and electricians make $24.83, but the requirements for both are much stricter.
Increase Profits Using Pest Control Software
One powerful tool that can help pest control companies boost their profits is utilizing specialized pest control software like PestPac. These platforms are designed to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and provide valuable insights into your bed bug control business that can lead to increased revenue.
Benefits of Using PestPac for Your Pest Control Business
PestPac is a comprehensive software solution designed specifically for pest control businesses. Utilizing PestPac can offer numerous benefits to your company, including:
1. Increased efficiency: Simplifies different areas of pest control operations, including scheduling, billing, and customer communication. This can assist businesses in conserving time and resources by automating routine tasks, enabling technicians to prioritize delivering quality service to customers.
2. Improved customer service: Companies can readily gather customer details, history, and preferences, helping them offer tailored service and foster stronger connections with their clients. This can result in increased customer satisfaction and retention.
3. Enhanced accuracy: The system improves accuracy by monitoring treatments, products used, and scheduling details, which helps minimize errors. This ensures that technicians adhere to the correct procedures and deliver effective pest control solutions.
4. Reporting and Analytics: Provide essential tools for businesses to monitor key performance metrics, recognize trends, and make informed decisions based on data. By examining this information, companies can enhance their operations, boost efficiency, and ultimately improve their financial performance.
Final Notes
The key to attracting quality pest control technicians is simple. Provide employees with the tools and technology they need to succeed and pay them a fair, competitive wage.
If you want to know whether becoming a pest control technician is worth the time and effort, keep in mind that 45% of pest control techs in the United States are satisfied with the pest control technician salary.
In 2019, the global pest control market was valued at $20.6 billion, and projections are that it will reach $30 billion by 2027. That’s a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%. That also means there is lots of money to be made as a pest control technician if you know where to look for it.
For those looking to launch their own pest control companies, both the workforce and profit margins of the industry have been enjoying steady growth.
It is vital to allow your business room to expand and to have the right tools to meet the new challenges ahead. Ready to grow your business? Reserve your free consultation today!
