How much do pest control technicians earn in 2026? This guide compiles the most recent official wage data for Canada and the United States, broken down by country, province, state, and experience level. Every figure is drawn from government labour sources and attributed, so you can trust it and cite it.
Key takeaways
- In Canada, the median wage for pest control technicians (pest controllers and fumigators, NOC 73202) is $25.96 per hour, about $54,000 per year at full-time hours, according to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank.
- In the United States, the median annual wage for pest control workers was $44,730 in May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Entry-level US technicians earn around $32,460 per year (the lowest 10 percent), while the top 10 percent earn more than $61,410.
- The highest-paying US states are Hawaii, Washington, and Vermont, where average wages top $58,000 per year.
- US employment of pest control workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
How much does a pest control technician make in Canada?
The median wage for pest control technicians in Canada is $25.96 per hour, which works out to roughly $54,000 per year at full-time hours, according to Job Bank Canada (NOC 73202, pest controllers and fumigators). Pay varies by province and by experience.
| Region | Typical pay | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (national) | $25.96/hour median (about $54,000/year) | Job Bank Canada |
| Ontario | $18.00 to $33.65/hour | Job Bank Canada |
| Alberta | $26.97/hour average (about $54,855/year) | Alberta alis (provincial survey) |
| British Columbia | About $43,000 to $52,000/year advertised | BC job postings (WorkBC, Job Bank) |
Private salary aggregators such as Talent.com, Indeed, and Glassdoor report Canadian averages ranging from roughly $44,000 to $59,000 per year. The higher figures generally reflect commission and bonuses paid on top of base wages, which are common in route-based and sales-oriented pest control roles.
How much does a pest control technician make in the United States?
The median annual wage for pest control workers in the United States was $44,730 in May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,460, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $61,410.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage (May 2024) | $44,730 | BLS |
| Median hourly wage (2025) | $21.75 | BLS OEWS |
| Entry-level (lowest 10%) | under $32,460/year | BLS |
| Top earners (highest 10%) | over $61,410/year | BLS |
| Projected job growth, 2024 to 2034 | 5% (faster than average) | BLS |
Highest-paying US states for pest control workers
| State | Average annual wage |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | about $61,408 |
| Washington | about $58,537 |
| Vermont | about $58,164 |
| US national average | about $45,930 |
Pest control salary by experience level
Pay rises steadily with experience, licensing, and the move from field work into supervision or sales. The ranges below blend official medians with the entry-level and top-decile breakouts reported by government sources.
| Career stage | Canada | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level / apprentice | about $18/hour (about $37,000/year) | about $15 to $16/hour (about $32,000/year) |
| Licensed technician (median) | $25.96/hour (about $54,000/year) | $21.50/hour (about $44,730/year) |
| Senior / experienced (top 10%) | $30 to $34/hour (about $62,000 to $70,000/year) | about $30/hour ($61,000+/year) |
| Branch manager / sales | Higher and commission-driven, frequently $60,000 to $100,000+ depending on performance and role. | |
What drives pest control technician pay?
Five factors explain most of the difference between a $35,000 technician and a six-figure earner:
- Licensing and certification. A pest control license is required by law in every US state and across Canadian provinces. Additional applicator categories (termite, fumigation, structural) generally raise pay.
- Commission and sales. Many roles pay commission on services sold or renewed. Technicians who upsell, and dedicated sales reps, can earn well above base wages.
- Region. Warm-climate and high-cost areas tend to pay more because pest pressure and demand run year-round.
- Company type. Large national firms and independent operators structure pay differently, trading base, commission, benefits, and advancement in different ways.
- Advancement. Moving into supervisor, branch manager, or business ownership is the clearest path to the top of the pay scale.
Can you make $100,000 in pest control?
Not as a standard field technician. The median sits around $44,730 in the US and about $54,000 in Canada, and even top-decile technicians top out near $61,000 to $70,000. Six figures in pest control typically requires moving into commission-heavy sales, branch or regional management, or owning a pest control business. The path exists, but it runs through advancement, not the entry-level service truck.
Methodology and sources
Canadian wages are drawn from the Government of Canada’s Job Bank (NOC 73202, pest controllers and fumigators) and provincial labour market surveys including Alberta’s alis and WorkBC. US wages are drawn from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (pest control workers, SOC 37-2021). Government figures are current as of the most recent releases (BLS May 2024 and May 2025; Job Bank 2025). Private aggregator figures (Talent.com, Indeed, Glassdoor) are referenced only for cross-checking and tend to run higher because they often fold in commission and bonuses.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average pest control technician salary in Canada?
The median is $25.96 per hour, about $54,000 per year, according to Job Bank Canada. Across salary sources, Canadian averages range from roughly $44,000 to $59,000 per year once commission and bonuses are included.
What is the average pest control technician salary in the United States?
The median annual wage was $44,730 in May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with most technicians earning between $32,460 and $61,410.
Which US state pays pest control workers the most?
Hawaii leads at about $61,408 per year on average, followed by Washington and Vermont, both above $58,000, per BLS data.
Do you need a license to be a pest control technician?
Yes. A license is required by law, regulated at the state level in the US and by province in Canada. Holding the right applicator categories typically increases pay.
Can pest control technicians earn six figures?
It is uncommon as a field technician but achievable through commission-based sales, branch or regional management, or owning a pest control company.