Vegetation Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers and Applicators: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Stan T.Career, Overview

Pesticide Handlers and Sprayers

Pesticide Handlers and Sprayers 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.

Salary
$39130
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job description

Vegetation Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers and Applicators 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.

  • 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.
Read more about what does a Vegetation Pesticide Handler, Sprayer and Applicator really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$38210 per year

Average hourly wage
$18 per hour


Pesticide Handlers and Sprayers with little to no experience tend to make between $23890 and $28740 while the more experienced ones can earn over $42630 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
VT $26 $54,520
OR $25 $51,040
CA $24 $50,560
ND $21 $43,820
NY $20 $42,530

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Vegetation Pesticide Handler, Sprayer and Applicator is to move to a higher paying state like VT. Right now, the highest paying states for Pesticide Handlers and Sprayers are VT, OR, CA, ND and NY.

However, a higher pay at VT doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at VT might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Vegetation Pesticide Handler, Sprayer and Applicator is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
No degree required

We asked other Pesticide Handlers and Sprayers what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a High School Diploma followed by a Post-Secondary Certificate.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Landscaping and Groundskeeping
Plant Nursery Operations and Management
Turf and Turfgrass Management
Read more about how to become a Vegetation Pesticide Handler, Sprayer and Applicator and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Vegetation Pesticide Handler, Sprayer and Applicator.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes practical and hands-on work
Suitable for people who wants to work in a supportive work environment
This career is perfect for people who love to work outdoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to help and teach others
One of the lowest paying jobs
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week)

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
47%

Is this job meaningful
56%


47% of Pesticide Handlers and Sprayers said they were satisfied with their job and 56% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Builders and The Organizers

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.



Learn more about Pesticide Handlers and Sprayers

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Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Pesticide Handlers and Sprayers job description, Pesticide Handlers and Sprayers salary, Pesticide Handlers and Sprayers information, what is the job of a Vegetation Pesticide Handler, Sprayer and Applicator like, pros and cons about Vegetation Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers and Applicators, colleges and universities for Vegetation Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers and Applicators, is Vegetation Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers and Applicators the right career for me, careers in Building and Grounds Maintenance

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