Pest Control Worker

Education and Training: High school

Salary: Median—$12.61 per hour

Employment Outlook: Very good

Definition and Nature of the Work

Pest control workers help to eliminate and control undesirable insects and animals. These pests include rats, mice, and other rodents as well as termites, cockroaches, spiders, bedbugs, ants, fleas, bees, and wasps. Sometimes workers are also asked to rid buildings of birds or snakes. They control or remove pests in private homes, businesses, and institutions. Pest control workers are sometimes called exterminators.

Most pest control workers are employed by firms that specialize in pest control. These may be small independent firms or branches of nationwide chains. Some workers have their own businesses. A few work for local, state, or federal government agencies. Some large institutions and firms, such as food processing companies, have their own staffs of pest control workers. Pest control work is very important in preventing disease and property …