All About Pesticide Applicators
Job Description: 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.
Daily Life Of a Pesticide Applicator
- Fill sprayer tanks with water and chemicals, according to formulas.
- Plant grass with seed spreaders and operate straw blowers to cover seeded areas with mixtures of asphalt and straw.
- Start motors and engage machinery, such as sprayer agitators or pumps or portable spray equipment.
- Clean or service machinery to ensure operating efficiency, using water, gasoline, lubricants, or hand tools.
- Mix pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides for application to trees, shrubs, lawns, or botanical crops.
- Identify lawn or plant diseases to determine the appropriate course of treatment.
Skills Needed to be a Pesticide Applicator
Pesticide Applicators state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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 for this Occupation:
- Applicator
- Lawn Spray Technician
- Sprayer
- Pest Control Technician
- Eradicator
Pesticide Applicator Employment Estimates
There were about 38,000 jobs for Pesticide Applicator in 2016 (in the United States). 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. There will be an estimated 5,000 positions for Pesticide Applicator per year.
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.
Do Pesticide Applicators Make A Lot Of Money?
Pesticide Applicators make between $23,890 and $56,370 a year.
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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Pesticide Applicators
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Pesticide Applicators:
How to Become a Pesticide Applicator
Are there Pesticide Applicators education requirements?
What work experience do I need to become a Pesticide Applicator?
Where Pesticide Applicators Work
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Pesticide Applicator might also be interested in the following careers:
- 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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