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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation

Median Salary
44,070
Job Outlook
+5%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

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.

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of grounds maintenance workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 176,600 openings for grounds maintenance workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$22,460

10%

$44,070

Median

$57,690

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • High school

    56%

  • Post-secondary certificate

    15%

  • Less than high school

    14%

  • Bachelor's degree

    12%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Turf and Turfgrass Management
  • Landscaping and Groundskeeping
  • Plant Nursery Operations and Management

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    High

  • Verbal Skills

    Low

  • Leadership

    Low

  • Math and Science Skills

    Mid

  • Technology Design and Control

    Low

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Low

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Biology
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Production and Processing
  • Transportation
  • Education and Training

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    High

  • Time Pressure

    High

  • Decision Making

    High

  • Responsibility

    Mid

  • Physical Activity

    Mid

  • Level Of Competition

    Mid

  • Repetitiveness

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.