Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation in Washington
Thinking about a career as a Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation in Washington? Here’s what the data says. Mix or apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides through sprays, dusts, vapors, soil incorporation, or chemical application on trees, shrubs, lawns, or crops. Usually requires specific training and state or federal certification. Crop dusters are included in “Commercial Pilots” (53-2012).
What do Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation Make in Washington?
For a pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation working in Washington, wages run about $48,570 per year (or roughly $23.35/hour).Pay can range from $42,230 at the 10th percentile to $60,890 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,230 | $20.30 |
| 25th percentile | $46,180 | $22.20 |
| Median (50th) | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| 75th percentile | $55,780 | $26.82 |
| 90th percentile | $60,890 | $29.27 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Washington nationwide is 1.30, meaning that pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation earn a median of $34,037 per year ($16.36/hour), above the Washington median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 59,019 pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation across the United States. In Washington alone, approximately 750 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 340 pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation.
Top Washington Metros for Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
These are the Washington metros with the most pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation in Washington.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 140 | $51,900 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 100 | $47,510 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 70 | $49,240 |
| Yakima, WA | 40 | $46,730 |
Top States for Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation Employment
These states have the highest employment of pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Florida | 4,420 |
| California | 1,930 |
| Minnesota | 1,440 |
| Illinois | 1,240 |
| Indiana | 1,230 |
| Texas | 1,140 |
| Colorado | 890 |
| Washington | 750 |
| Ohio | 730 |
| South Dakota | 690 |
| New Jersey | 680 |
| Georgia | 660 |
| Missouri | 550 |
| Mississippi | 530 |
| Montana | 500 |
| Idaho | 450 |
| Michigan | 440 |
| Kansas | 410 |
| Nebraska | 380 |
| North Carolina | 370 |
Highest-Paying States for Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
These states pay the most for pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $59,550 |
| New Jersey | $55,680 |
| North Dakota | $50,670 |
| Hawaii | $50,040 |
| Oregon | $49,400 |
| New York | $49,390 |
| New Mexico | $49,070 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,840 |
| Washington | $48,570 |
| Virginia | $48,400 |
Skills
Key pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation typically:
- Mix pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides for application to trees, shrubs, lawns, or botanical crops.
- Fill sprayer tanks with water and chemicals, according to formulas.
- Lift, push, and swing nozzles, hoses, and tubes to direct spray over designated areas.
- Identify lawn or plant diseases to determine the appropriate course of treatment.
- Cover areas to specified depths with pesticides, applying knowledge of weather conditions, droplet sizes, elevation-to-distance ratios, and obstructions.
- Start motors and engage machinery, such as sprayer agitators or pumps or portable spray equipment.
- Connect hoses and nozzles selected according to terrain, distribution pattern requirements, types of infestations, and velocities.
- Clean or service machinery to ensure operating efficiency, using water, gasoline, lubricants, or hand tools.
- Provide driving instructions to truck drivers to ensure complete coverage of designated areas, using hand and horn signals.
- Plant grass with seed spreaders, and operate straw blowers to cover seeded areas with mixtures of asphalt and straw.
Work Activities
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Getting Information
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Facebook
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Horticulture
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Related Careers
Related occupations to pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation include:
- Soil and Plant Scientists
- Agricultural Technicians
- Pest Control Workers
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
- Tree Trimmers and Pruners
- Agricultural Equipment Operators
Also Known As
Agricultural Service Worker, Applicator, Applicator Sprayer, Certified Pesticide Applicator, Chemical Applicator, Commercial Lawn Specialist, Crop Applicator, Custom Applicator, Eradicator, Fertilizer Applicator, Fruit Sprayer, Fumigator, Hand Spray Operator, Hand Sprayer, Herbicide Sprayer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 37-3012.00
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