Building and grounds
Pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation
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.
Median pay
$46,340
Growth to 2035
+4%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
3,300
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation: 64% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Fill sprayer tanks with water and chemicals, according to formulas.
- Record information about pesticide applications, such as the type used and amount applied.
- 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.
- Lift, push, and swing nozzles, hoses, and tubes to direct spray over designated areas.
- Establish driving routes for pesticide applications.
- Clean or service machinery to ensure operating efficiency, using water, gasoline, lubricants, or hand tools.
- Connect hoses and nozzles selected according to terrain, distribution pattern requirements, types of infestations, and velocities.
Also called: Applicator · Chemical Applicator · Herbicide Applicator · IPM Technician (Integrated Pest Management Technician) · Lawn Specialist · Pesticide Applicator · Shrub Technician (Shrub Tech) · Spray Applicator
Outlook and AI
Pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation held 25,700 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 26,700 by 2035 (+4%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
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