How much does a pesticide sprayer make?
a year · about $22 an hour
A typical pesticide sprayer in the United States makes $46,340 a year, about $22 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They inspect lawns and trees for weeds or plant trouble, then mix chemicals and fill a sprayer tank. Wearing protective gear, they direct hoses or nozzles over the target, record the treatment, and clean the equipment.
Did you know? Despite the name, they don’t only spray: BLS says they may apply chemicals as dusts or vapors, or mix them directly into soil.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $35,570 and $61,420How do you become one?
In the U.S., a high school diploma or GED is typical, and many jobs provide on-the-job training. State rules set required training and exams for certification; federal certification for restricted-use pesticides requires applicants to be 18.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experienced workers and those with sought-after licenses or skills may earn more. Pay also varies by employer or industry and location, and the number of hours worked changes total earnings.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Kansas ($49,090), lowest in Mississippi ($35,770).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,570 | $46,340 | $61,420 | about 27,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | $49,090 | about 520 |
| Minnesota | $49,030 | about 950 |
| Indiana | $48,500 | about 950 |
| Illinois | $48,280 | about 1,000 |
| Idaho | $47,630 | about 610 |
Official definition: 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).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes373012.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/37-3012.00
- www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/how-get-certified-pesticide-applicator
- www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/certification-standards-pesticide-applicator
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2017-01-04/pdf/2016-30332.pdf
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY