Life As a Pesticide Applicator
Pesticide Applicator Definition Mix or apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides through sprays, dusts, vapors, soil incorporation, or chemical application on trees, shrubs, lawns, or botanical crops. Usually requires specific training and State or Federal certification.
A Day in the Life of a Pesticide Applicator
- Identify lawn or plant diseases to determine the appropriate course of treatment.
- Connect hoses and nozzles selected according to terrain, distribution pattern requirements, types of infestations, and velocities.
- Mix pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides for application to trees, shrubs, lawns, or botanical crops.
- Start motors and engage machinery, such as sprayer agitators or pumps or portable spray equipment.
- Provide driving instructions to truck drivers to ensure complete coverage of designated areas, using hand and horn signals.
- Clean or service machinery to ensure operating efficiency, using water, gasoline, lubricants, or hand tools.
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Qualities of a Pesticide Applicator
When polled, Pesticide Applicators say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Related Job Titles
- Fruit Sprayer
- Insecticide Sprayer
- Pest Locator
- Lawn Specialist
- Eradicator
Job Opportunities for Pesticide Applicators
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 38,000 jobs in the United States for Pesticide Applicator. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,000 new jobs for Pesticide Applicator by 2026. The BLS estimates 5,000 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Pesticide Applicator are Nevada, Washington, and Tennessee. Watch out if you plan on working in Ohio, Illinois, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Pesticide Applicator
The average yearly salary of a Pesticide Applicator ranges between $23,890 and $56,370.
Pesticide Applicators who work in Vermont, Hawaii, or Oregon, make the highest salaries.
How much do Pesticide Applicators make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $33,140 |
| Arizona | $38,580 |
| Arkansas | $29,520 |
| California | $50,560 |
| Colorado | $38,600 |
| Connecticut | $40,240 |
| Delaware | $33,640 |
| Florida | $31,790 |
| Georgia | $36,960 |
| Hawaii | $40,900 |
| Illinois | $39,930 |
| Indiana | $41,180 |
| Iowa | $36,670 |
| Kansas | $34,680 |
| Kentucky | $31,790 |
| Louisiana | $29,700 |
| Maryland | $40,560 |
| Massachusetts | $33,230 |
| Michigan | $32,600 |
| Minnesota | $39,220 |
| Mississippi | $28,950 |
| Missouri | $38,510 |
| Montana | $34,450 |
| Nebraska | $34,880 |
| Nevada | $31,960 |
| New Hampshire | $38,840 |
| New Jersey | $36,970 |
| New Mexico | $34,930 |
| New York | $42,530 |
| North Carolina | $37,470 |
| North Dakota | $43,820 |
| Ohio | $34,600 |
| Oklahoma | $37,220 |
| Oregon | $51,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,480 |
| South Carolina | $34,930 |
| South Dakota | $33,360 |
| Tennessee | $35,070 |
| Texas | $35,650 |
| Utah | $34,940 |
| Vermont | $54,520 |
| Virginia | $35,790 |
| Washington | $37,920 |
| West Virginia | $35,170 |
| Wisconsin | $35,080 |
| Wyoming | $38,500 |
What Tools do Pesticide Applicators Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Pesticide Applicators may use on a daily basis:
How do I Become a Pesticide Applicator?
Individuals working as a Pesticide Applicator have obtained the following education levels:
What work experience do I need to become a Pesticide Applicator?
Where do Pesticide Applicators Work?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Pesticide Applicator may also be interested in:
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
- Locomotive Firers
References:
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