Skip navigation

Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, & Applicators, Vegetation

Also called: Lawn Specialist, Lawn Technician, Licensed Pesticide Applicator, Spray Technician

Watch Career Video

What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • Mix pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides for application to trees, shrubs, lawns, or botanical crops.
  • Fill sprayer tanks with water and chemicals, according to formulas.
  • Lift, push, and swing nozzles, hoses, and tubes to direct spray over designated areas.

Knowledge

Business
  • customer service
  • management
Math and Science
  • biology
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
  • manufacture and distribution of products
Arts and Humanities
  • English language

Skills

Basic Skills
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Hand and Finger Use
  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • hold or move items with your hands
Verbal
  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Independence
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity
  • Self Control

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
  • Rate calculation software
  • Unit conversion software
Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office software Hot Technology

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
certificate after high school
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Find Licenses Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Average Outlook
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
Salary
$38,270
$28,820
$53,690
Check out my state Local Salary Info Find Jobs

Explore More

See more details at O*NET OnLine about pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation.