This report pulls together the most recent public data on Canada’s pest control workforce: how many technicians there are, where they work, what the industry is worth, how the job outlook differs by province, and who actually does the work. Every figure is drawn from government and industry sources and attributed, so it can be trusted and cited.
Key findings
- Roughly 5,000 people work as pest control technicians (pest controllers and fumigators, NOC 73202) across Canada, concentrated in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.
- The pest control services industry generates about $2.8 billion in annual revenue across roughly 1,480 businesses, according to IBISWorld (2025).
- The national median wage is $25.96 per hour, about $54,000 per year, according to Job Bank Canada.
- Ontario holds the only “Good” provincial employment outlook for 2025 to 2027. Most other provinces are rated “Moderate,” per Job Bank.
- The workforce is heavily male, between 79 and over 95 percent depending on the province, and unusually entrepreneurial, with self-employment rates of 13 to 28 percent, well above the national average.
- Retirements are cited as a source of job openings in every province with a published outlook, pointing to an aging workforce.
How big is Canada’s pest control workforce?
Pest control is a small, specialized occupation in Canada. Adding up the provinces where Job Bank publishes employment counts gives roughly 4,600 workers, and the national total is likely around 5,000 once smaller provinces and territories are included. The work is concentrated in the most populous provinces.
| Province | Approximate number of workers |
|---|---|
| Ontario | ~2,450 |
| Quebec | ~900 |
| British Columbia | ~600 |
| Alberta | ~350 |
| Manitoba | ~200 |
| Nova Scotia | ~100 |
| Canada (approximate) | ~5,000 |
At the city level, the largest concentrations are in the Toronto region (about 710 workers), the Montreal area (about 420), and Metro Vancouver’s Lower Mainland (about 360).
Industry size and growth
Canada’s pest control services industry is worth about $2.8 billion in 2025 and is spread across roughly 1,480 businesses, according to IBISWorld. The industry has grown at a low single-digit annual rate over the past five years. Demand is shaped by urbanization, global travel and trade, and rising public health awareness, with a steady shift toward eco-friendly and integrated pest management approaches.
Employment outlook by province (2025 to 2027)
Job Bank assigns a three-year employment outlook to each occupation by province, rated from Very limited to Very good. For pest control technicians, Ontario is the standout, the only province rated Good, while most others sit at Moderate.
| Province | 2025 to 2027 outlook |
|---|---|
| Ontario | Good |
| Quebec | Moderate |
| British Columbia | Moderate |
| Alberta | Moderate |
| Manitoba | Moderate |
| Nova Scotia | Moderate |
| Other provinces and territories | Undetermined (low employment) |
Where demand is strongest
Looking below the provincial level, the strongest regional outlooks (rated Good) cluster in southern Ontario and coastal British Columbia. In Ontario, the Toronto, Hamilton-Niagara, London, Muskoka-Kawarthas, and Windsor-Sarnia regions all rate Good. In British Columbia, the Lower Mainland-Southwest and Vancouver Island and Coast regions rate Good. Across every region, two forces drive hiring: modest employment growth and a wave of retirements opening up existing positions.
Who works in pest control?
The workforce has three defining characteristics: it is overwhelmingly male, more self-employed than most occupations, and notably seasonal. Many technicians enter through a high school diploma plus a trades or apprenticeship credential rather than university.
| Province | Men | Self-employed | Work only part of the year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 92% | 23% | 37% |
| Quebec | 90% | 28% | 49% |
| British Columbia | 87% | 24% | 40% |
| Alberta | 87% | 15% | 35% |
| Manitoba | 79% | 13% | 42% |
| Nova Scotia | over 95% | 26% | 31% |
What is driving demand?
- Retirements and an aging workforce. Job Bank cites retirements as a source of openings in every province with a published outlook, which means a meaningful share of demand is replacement rather than pure growth.
- Urbanization and density. More people living closer together, in more multi-unit buildings, increases pest pressure and the need for professional control.
- Travel, trade, and public health awareness. Global movement of goods and people spreads pests, and heightened attention to hygiene since the pandemic has lifted demand for preventive services.
- A shift to integrated pest management. Growing preference for eco-friendly, lower-chemical approaches is reshaping how the work is done and the training technicians need.
Wages
The national median wage for pest control technicians is $25.96 per hour, about $54,000 per year, with provincial medians ranging from $23.71 in Nova Scotia to $28.09 in Quebec. For the full breakdown, see our salary by province page and the Pest Control Technician Salary Guide 2026.
Methodology and sources
Employment counts, outlook ratings, and workforce demographics come from the Government of Canada’s Job Bank occupational profiles and employment outlooks for pest controllers and fumigators (NOC 73202), drawing on the 2021 Census and Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey. Outlook ratings are for the 2025 to 2027 period, updated December 2025. Industry revenue and business counts come from IBISWorld’s Pest Control in Canada industry report (2025). National workforce totals are approximate, calculated by summing published provincial counts; smaller provinces and territories are not published separately due to low employment.
Frequently asked questions
How many pest control technicians are there in Canada?
Roughly 5,000, based on Job Bank occupational data, concentrated in Ontario (about 2,450), Quebec (about 900), and British Columbia (about 600).
How big is Canada’s pest control industry?
About $2.8 billion in annual revenue across roughly 1,480 businesses, according to IBISWorld (2025).
Which province has the best job outlook for pest control technicians?
Ontario, the only province rated “Good” for the 2025 to 2027 period by Job Bank. Most other provinces are rated “Moderate.”
Is pest control a growing field in Canada?
Yes, modestly. The industry has grown at a low single-digit annual rate, and a combination of steady demand and retirements is creating ongoing openings.
What is the gender breakdown of the pest control workforce?
It is heavily male, between 79 and over 95 percent men depending on the province, compared with roughly half across all occupations.