Pest control worker pay (BLS, May 2025)
Pay percentiles
| Percentile | 10th | 25th | 50th (median) | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual wage | $34,680 | $37,440 | $45,250 | $49,600 | $61,890 |
Highest-paying states
| State | Mean hourly | Mean annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $26.02 | $54,110 | 790 |
| Colorado | $25.85 | $53,770 | 970 |
| New York | $25.72 | $53,500 | 4,220 |
| South Dakota | $25.72 | $53,490 | 190 |
| Washington | $25.59 | $53,220 | 1,430 |
| Alaska | $25.33 | $52,680 | 40 |
| North Dakota | $25.32 | $52,670 | 120 |
| New Jersey | $24.90 | $51,780 | 2,270 |
| Hawaii | $24.47 | $50,900 | 740 |
| Maine | $24.44 | $50,830 | 320 |
States with the most pest control workers
| State | Employment | Mean hourly | Mean annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 12,400 | $22.15 | $46,060 |
| Texas | 9,470 | $19.90 | $41,400 |
| Georgia | 5,770 | $20.69 | $43,030 |
| North Carolina | 4,870 | $21.89 | $45,520 |
| New York | 4,220 | $25.72 | $53,500 |
| Tennessee | 3,340 | $20.62 | $42,880 |
| Arizona | 3,200 | $22.90 | $47,640 |
| Virginia | 3,040 | $23.01 | $47,860 |
| South Carolina | 2,660 | $21.53 | $44,780 |
| Alabama | 2,540 | $19.82 | $41,220 |
Job outlook
The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook counts 108,700 pest control worker jobs in 2025 and projects 6% growth from 2025 to 2035 (about 6,000 more jobs), faster than average. The typical entry-level education is a high school diploma, and states require licensing - see pest control license requirements by state.
How much pest control business owners make
There is no government statistic for owner income. It comes from route math. An illustration using our own arithmetic (not a benchmark):
| Input | Example |
|---|---|
| Recurring accounts | 400 quarterly |
| Price per visit | $110 |
| Annual recurring revenue | 400 x 4 x $110 = $176,000 |
| Stops per day (1 tech) | 16 |
| Service days needed | 1,600 / 16 = 100 days |
One tech can service roughly 400 quarterly accounts in about 100 route days at that density, leaving time for initials, callbacks, one-time jobs and selling. What the owner keeps depends on truck, materials, insurance, marketing and whether you pay yourself a tech wage. Model your own numbers in the pricing calculator and the business plan template.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a pest control technician make an hour?
The BLS median was $21.75 an hour and the mean $22.31 in May 2025 for pest control workers nationally.
Which state pays exterminators the most?
In May 2025 BLS data, Nevada had the highest mean annual wage for pest control workers ($54,110), followed by Colorado ($53,770) and New York ($53,500).
Is pest control a good business?
It is recurring-revenue work with licensing barriers and steady demand; BLS projects 6% job growth for 2025-35. Profitability depends on route density and retention - see how to start a pest control business.
What is a typical pest control profit margin?
We have not found an official or audited industry figure, so we do not quote one. Build your margin from your own costs using the pricing calculator.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - Pest Control Workers (37-2021), May 2025 (accessed 2026-09-23) - Values retrieved via the BLS public data API (OEWS series for SOC 37-2021).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook - Pest Control Workers (accessed 2026-09-23)