Exterminator vs hand spray operator

The differences between exterminators and hand spray operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a hand spray operator has an average salary of $44,530, which is higher than the $40,124 average annual salary of an exterminator.

The top three skills for an exterminator include pest control, bed bugs and rats. The most important skills for a hand spray operator are rig, general maintenance, and safety rules.

Exterminator vs hand spray operator overview

	Exterminator	Hand Spray Operator
Yearly salary	$40,124	$44,530
Hourly rate	$19.29	$21.41
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	2,298	45,293
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 52%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	40	43
Years of experience	-	4

Exterminator vs hand spray operator salary

Exterminators and hand spray operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Exterminator	Hand Spray Operator
Average salary	$40,124	$44,530
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $68,000	Between $33,000 And $59,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between exterminator and hand spray operator education

There are a few differences between an exterminator and a hand spray operator in terms of educational background:

	Exterminator	Hand Spray Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 52%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Exterminator vs hand spray operator demographics

Here are the differences between exterminators' and hand spray operators' demographics:

	Exterminator	Hand Spray Operator
Average age	40	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.8% Female, 7.2%	Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 21.3% Asian, 2.0% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 16.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 2.5% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	5%	4%

Differences between exterminator and hand spray operator duties and responsibilities

Exterminator example responsibilities.

Apply exterior chemicals to manage and treat for insect and rodent infestations.
Control roaches, ants, rodents, birds, snakes, termites, etc.
Remove wildlife including bats, birds, raccoon's, skunks, snakes, squirrels and other animals.
Utilize the appropriate IPM method for each client ensuring they have the proper treatments need to resolve issues.
Coordinate with supply personnel, maintenance contractors and customers/users to ensure satisfactory conduct of support.
Kill pests and vermin such as mice, termites, and roaches.

Hand spray operator example responsibilities.

Operate manual and automate grit blast cabinets.
Spray successive coats of lacquer and paint on work pieces.
Design made and install fabricated items using jigs and fixtures to aid in completing project.
Bring pipe up to snubbing basket and make up with tongs to be snub into hole.
General rig hand and operator responsibility
Operate Fanuc robotics machines to coat aerospace parts

Exterminator vs hand spray operator skills

Common exterminator skills

Pest Control, 62%
Bed Bugs, 10%
Rats, 9%
Pest Management, 3%
Snakes, 2%
Pest Problems, 2%

Common hand spray operator skills

Rig, 23%
General Maintenance, 21%
Safety Rules, 19%
Hand Tools, 5%
Power Tools, 5%
DIG, 4%

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Exterminator vs Hand Spray Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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