Pest Control Technician Job Description [Free Template & Guide]

A pest control technician identifies, catches, removes, or kills pests in homes and businesses. This can include pests like rodents, ants, wasps, bed bugs, and even snakes or lizards. Pest control workers are usually either independent contractors or employed by a pest control business.

If you’re ready to hire pest control technicians to work for your business, use our guide to write a detailed job description that attracts qualified, licensed pest control technicians.

Download our pest control technician job description template, or jump ahead for our guide on writing a job description of your own. You’ll be interviewing and hiring expert exterminators in no time.

Now that you’ve seen a good job description example, here’s how to write each section of yours:

1. Role summary

Your job description should start with a summary of the role. This is a short introduction to the pest control service technician role you’re hiring for—it helps applicants understand the job at a glance.

A role summary normally includes details like:

• Position title
• Supervisor
• Seniority level
• Responsibilities

Give an overview of what the role involves and what type of person would be right for the job. This will tell qualified job seekers to apply—and unqualified people to continue their job search elsewhere.

2. Job responsibilities

Write down a list of the pest control technician responsibilities you expect your employee to fulfill.

To make sure your job description includes all possible tasks, ask yourself these questions:

• What clients does your pest control business work with (e.g., residential, commercial)?
• What types of pest control equipment will they be using (e.g., traps, sprayers, foggers)?
• What do your current technicians do on each type of job (e.g., insect removal, pesticide application, termite control)?
• Will this employee need to complete any other non-pest control tasks (e.g., customer service, estimating jobs, scheduling work, sending pest control invoices)?

3. Qualifications and skills

Include all the professional qualifications you expect an exterminator to have before working on your team.

Your qualifications might include:

• Years of pest control experience
• Experience with a specific type of pest (e.g., bees, ants, mice, skunks)
• Any pest control license that’s required by your state
• Physical demands (e.g., kneeling, crawling, wearing respiratory equipment)
• Soft skills (e.g., customer service, communication, problem-solving)
• Valid driver’s license and clean driver’s record, if they’ll be driving a company vehicle

You can also add any extra skills that aren’t necessary but can help candidates stand out, like being fluent in Spanish or having experience with pest control software.

READ MORE: Top 14 pest control apps for pest ID, scheduling, and more

4. Working hours

List your working hours or shift options so candidates know what the average workday will look like. This will help you attract applicants who can work within your normal schedule.

Include whether the pest control technician’s job is full-time or part-time, seasonal or year-round, and permanent or temporary.

5. Role compensation

Include your technician salary or hourly wage so applicants know what to expect. This keeps you from wasting time interviewing candidates who end up being out of your budget.

Your pest control job description should also cover non-financial compensation and perks, like an employee bonus program, health insurance, paid days off, or 401(k) contribution matching.

6. Company overview

Applicants may not know much about your business. The company overview section is your chance to introduce the business and explain why it’s a great place to work. Include details like:

• Your pest control company name
• How many years you’ve been in business
• Company mission, vision, and values
• What kind of employee experience you offer
• Why your employees work with you
• Professional development and career-building opportunities

Pro Tip: When your pest control company overview is finished, save it and use it again in all your future job postings.

READ MORE: How to build a business where employees want to work

Provide instructions for applying to your pest control job posting. Tell applicants if you want them to apply by email, on your pest control website, or using an application form on a job board like Indeed.

Include the application deadline and make it clear if you need a cover letter and references.

Pro Tip: When your pest control company overview is finished, save it and use it again in all your future job postings.

READ MORE: How to build a business where employees want to work

Provide instructions for applying to your pest control job posting—for example, if you want job seekers to apply by email, on your pest control website, or using an application form on a job board like Indeed.

Include the application deadline and whether you need a resume, cover letter, and references.

Frequently asked questions

In our experience, these are the questions we hear the most often about job descriptions for pest control technicians:

What job title should I use in a pest control job description?

There are a few different titles for pest control workers, depending on how they work:

• Pest control technicians and pest control specialists can manage pests by either live trapping or killing them, based on company policy or the client’s needs.
• Exterminators focus on killing pests through trapping, baiting, chemical spraying, and fumigation. They typically don’t offer live removal.

You can hire for any of these job titles, but be aware that exterminators typically need licensing to apply pesticides. Be sure your top candidate has the necessary license before hiring them.

How much to pay a pest control technician

The median salary for a pest control worker in the U.S. is $43,470/year, or $20.90/hour. Actual pay can vary depending on factors like:

• What pests they specialize in (e.g., roaches, wasps, lizards)
• Experience level
• Geographic area
• Local pest control industry demand and competition

Pro Tip: Update your pest control business plan and budget to ensure you’re prepared to pay for new employees in the long term.

What skills, experience, or training does a pest control technician need?

Pest control technicians should have a high school diploma or GED, as well as previous job experience that includes inspections, trapping or spraying, and prevention.

The role also requires technicians to pass certain state-level exams and get certified, since this role involves handling harmful chemicals.

Some employers can offer apprenticeships for new technicians to learn the trade under supervision before getting certified.

Check your state’s pest control licensing guidelines to see rules for pest management industry certification and apprenticeships in your area.

What makes a good pest control technician?

Good pest control technicians are properly certified, have on-the-job experience, and can safely work with a wide range of dangerous chemicals.

They also have a good eye for detail, the ability to work within tight spaces, and the strength to lift and use heavy equipment.