Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation Salary
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation earn a median $46,340 a year nationally. Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
What pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation do
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).
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.9% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 3,300
- Self-employed
- 4%
Employment of pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation is projected to grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 3,300 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,381
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,873
- Medicare (1.45%)$672
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$39,414
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,570 | $17.10 | $30,760 |
| 25th percentile | $39,160 | $18.83 | $33,645 |
| Median (50th) | $46,340 | $22.28 | $39,414 |
| 75th percentile | $51,240 | $24.63 | $43,351 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,420 | $29.53 | $51,531 |
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $62,980 | +5.8% | $49,855 | $50,220 – $82,350 | — |
| Delaware | $54,190 | +14.3% | $43,391 | $48,990 – $54,650 | 40 |
| Oregon | $51,590 | +4.4% | $39,948 | $46,610 – $68,200 | 290 |
| Hawaii | $51,240 | +2.4% | $40,978 | $33,030 – $61,180 | 60 |
| North Dakota | $50,490 | −0.4% | $42,749 | $44,650 – $61,710 | 280 |
| Ohio | $50,060 | +4.5% | $41,809 | $37,180 – $60,580 | 490 |
| Wyoming | $49,190 | +3.3% | $41,704 | $35,870 – $57,420 | 120 |
| Kansas | $49,090 | +5.6% | $39,684 | $38,290 – $62,250 | 520 |
| Minnesota | $49,030 | +1.5% | $39,765 | $38,110 – $59,470 | 950 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,870 | +0.1% | $39,947 | $40,280 – $57,610 | 360 |
| Arizona | $48,630 | +6.0% | $40,247 | $42,890 – $58,980 | 210 |
| Virginia | $48,610 | +0.4% | $39,257 | $29,770 – $60,790 | 240 |
| Indiana | $48,500 | +2.0% | $39,749 | $40,240 – $58,690 | 950 |
| New York | $48,380 | −2.0% | $39,038 | $45,760 – $64,330 | 220 |
| Rhode Island | $48,360 | +24.9% | $39,841 | $39,990 – $82,070 | 100 |
| Illinois | $48,280 | +1.8% | $38,728 | $38,530 – $59,080 | 1,040 |
| North Carolina | $48,240 | +1.8% | $39,525 | $37,330 – $55,270 | 360 |
| Nevada | $48,030 | +19.6% | $40,772 | $40,550 – $76,800 | 100 |
| Idaho | $47,630 | +8.0% | $39,035 | $39,170 – $59,550 | 610 |
| Nebraska | $47,500 | +7.7% | $39,065 | $37,230 – $56,350 | 380 |
| Washington | $47,360 | −2.5% | $40,234 | $40,870 – $65,640 | 470 |
| Tennessee | $47,340 | +1.3% | $40,218 | $44,160 – $56,150 | — |
| Colorado | $47,020 | +2.1% | $38,600 | $42,670 – $66,250 | 960 |
| Iowa | $46,740 | +21.5% | $38,611 | $37,910 – $55,400 | 600 |
| South Dakota | $46,320 | +1.5% | $39,398 | $36,550 – $55,760 | 460 |
| Wisconsin | $46,190 | +7.5% | $38,042 | $39,480 – $61,590 | 540 |
| Utah | $45,430 | +19.0% | $37,605 | $37,880 – $61,680 | 360 |
| Florida | $45,210 | +12.4% | $38,506 | $35,100 – $55,370 | 4,530 |
| California | $45,070 | +1.2% | $37,016 | $38,180 – $64,680 | 2,260 |
| Missouri | $44,990 | +14.6% | $37,152 | $36,500 – $56,210 | 450 |
| Michigan | $44,460 | −5.3% | $36,265 | $34,940 – $54,540 | 860 |
| Maryland | $44,440 | −1.8% | $36,140 | $38,910 – $56,530 | — |
| New Jersey | $44,330 | −20.4% | $36,898 | $35,360 – $53,300 | 320 |
| Alabama | $43,440 | −3.2% | $35,177 | $36,860 – $50,200 | 320 |
| Maine | $40,200 | — | $32,941 | $37,440 – $51,810 | 60 |
| Kentucky | $39,380 | −6.0% | $32,561 | $34,320 – $49,830 | 290 |
| Georgia | $39,080 | +9.3% | $32,175 | $32,010 – $51,780 | 1,300 |
| New Mexico | $38,740 | −21.1% | $32,609 | $29,880 – $49,290 | 120 |
| South Carolina | $38,100 | −6.4% | $31,664 | $31,000 – $50,790 | 610 |
| Arkansas | $37,860 | −1.3% | $31,337 | $32,010 – $51,290 | 490 |
| Montana | $37,760 | −0.5% | $31,502 | $31,600 – $51,700 | 630 |
| Oklahoma | $36,870 | +15.1% | $30,691 | $29,680 – $48,090 | 370 |
| Mississippi | $35,770 | −11.6% | $30,222 | $24,200 – $61,720 | 650 |
| Louisiana | $26,220 | −36.5% | $22,802 | $23,990 – $48,700 | 220 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other | $46,860 | No formal educational credential | +3.7% |
| Tree Trimmer and Pruner | $50,960 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.2% |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker | $39,150 | No formal educational credential | +4.7% |
| Pest Control Worker | $45,250 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.5% |
| Building Cleaning Workers, All Other | $44,040 | No formal educational credential | +2.0% |
| First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers | $49,100 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.2% |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $36,840 | No formal educational credential | +2.2% |
| Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner | $35,510 | No formal educational credential | +0.6% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | $58,430 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation make?
The national median salary for pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation is $46,340 a year ($22.28 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,570 and the top 10% earn over $61,420. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median pay at $62,980.
How many pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation are there in the U.S.?
About 27,050 people work as pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation nationwide.