How to hire a pest controller

How to hire a pest controller, step by step

Here's a step-by-step pest controller hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a pest controller job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new pest controller
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the pest controller you need to hire. Certain pest controller roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a pest controller to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a pest controller that fits the bill.

   This list presents pest controller salaries for various positions.

   Type of Pest Controller	Description	Hourly rate
   Pest Controller	Pest control workers remove unwanted creatures, such as roaches, rats, ants, bedbugs, and termites that infest buildings and surrounding areas.	$11-31
   Pest Control Technician	A pest control technician is responsible for dealing with pest problems and evaluating the correct processes and materials for eliminating them. Pest control technicians' duties include assessing the client's location to identify the source of the pest problem, responding to customers' inquiries and concerns, providing pest treatment options to the customers, spraying pesticides on the appropriate area, and adhering to safety procedures... Show more	$11-26

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Pest Control
   • Pest Management
   • Pest Problems
   • Rakes
   • Shovels
   • Hand Tools
   • Termite
   • OSHA
   • Control Measures
   • Lawn Care
   • Service Calls
   • Bed Bugs
   • Snakes
   • Mechanical Traps

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Apply exterior chemicals to manage and treat for insect and rodent infestations.
   • Compile, update, maintain all MSDS sheets.
   • Provide and maintain safe physical conditions for employees assign to spray duties, per OSHA standards.
   • Help maintain a safe and clean environment by setting traps and disposing properly of mice, snakes, bees, etc.
   • Coordinate with supply personnel, maintenance contractors and customers/users to ensure satisfactory conduct of support.
   • Enter data into handheld Juno Trimble GPS unit.

   More pest controller duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your pest controller job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A pest controller salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, pest controllers' average salary in alabama is 44% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level pest controllers earn 65% less than senior-level pest controllers.
   • Certifications. A pest controller with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a pest controller's salary.

   Average pest controller salary

   $39,928yearly

   $19.20 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level pest controller salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

   Average pest controller salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$42,629	$20
   2	Maryland	$41,308	$20
   3	Texas	$40,998	$20
   4	Washington	$37,153	$18
   5	Arizona	$36,987	$18
   6	Oregon	$36,560	$18
   7	Illinois	$36,444	$18
   8	Missouri	$35,826	$17
   9	Indiana	$35,722	$17
   10	Ohio	$35,663	$17
   11	North Carolina	$34,914	$17
   12	Florida	$34,736	$17
   13	Wisconsin	$34,090	$16
   14	Kentucky	$33,850	$16
   15	Utah	$33,374	$16
   16	Tennessee	$32,623	$16
   17	Mississippi	$32,200	$15
   18	Louisiana	$31,354	$15
   19	Georgia	$29,794	$14
   20	Kansas	$29,258	$14

   Average pest controller salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	ASRC Federal	$56,588	$27.21	2
   2	Vectrus	$48,350	$23.25
   3	Ecolab	$42,718	$20.54	74
   4	Alutiiq	$39,491	$18.99
   5	HomeTeam Pest Defense	$39,459	$18.97
   6	JP Pest Services	$39,058	$18.78	2
   7	Sprague Pest Solutions	$38,925	$18.71	2
   8	Crossroads Diversified Services	$38,797	$18.65
   9	Rollins	$37,850	$18.20	17
   10	Arrow Exterminators	$37,486	$18.02	49
   11	ABC Home & Commercial Services	$37,107	$17.84	1
   12	Cobb-Vantress	$35,355	$17.00
   13	Tyson Foods	$34,558	$16.61	3
   14	Remedy Intelligent Staffing	$29,447	$14.16

4. Writing a pest controller job description

   A pest controller job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a pest controller job description:

   Pest controller job description example

   • generous time off,
   • 11 paid holidays,
   • 401(k) with company match, Roth IRA,
   • medical, dental and vision insurance,
   • high deductible HSA,
   • telemedicine,
   • disability, cancer, and accident insurance.
   • health & wellness suite
   • company-paid + additional, optional, life insurance.

   If you are interested in building a long-term career in a stable industry , apply today!

   A DAY IN THE LIFE AS A TERMITE INSPECTOR

   As a Termite Inspector, you are excited to start your route each day. You will perform a thorough inspection and evaluation of customer properties for Wood Destroying Organisms and other pest problems. You will properly identify insects, pest harborage areas, and conducive conditions while determining opportunities for additional services. Your ability to propose and sell services will supplement your earnings with commissions.

   Each day is an opportunity to represent Arrow Exterminators in the communities that you serve. Your customer service and commitment to excellent service will maintain the reputation we have for going beyond the call and creating an awesome experience in every interaction.

   
   

   ABOUT OUR FAMILY OF BRANDS

   We have been a family owned and operated business since our start in 1964. Over the years, we have grown rapidly, and we now have the privilege of servicing 12 states. To ensure the quality and satisfaction of our customers, we have several offices in each state we are in to offer a more personalized approach to our communities. Ranked by revenue, Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators is the sixth largest pest and termite control company in the United States! We instill family values in the company culture to create a welcoming work environment and a successful company. We attribute our success to passionate, highly trained team members who are committed to protecting everyone's quality of life.

   As Arrow grows and continues to exceed industry expectations, we are always looking for new talent to bring on board. We know our team has a lot of options and we are humbled that they choose to work with us. That's why we offer competitive compensation, a robust benefits package, and a family-oriented company culture.

   QUALIFICATIONS

   
   

   • High school diploma or equivalent
   • Ability to pass and maintain any state regulatory agency required licensing/certification exams
   • Clean driving record and valid driver's license
   • Ability to pass a background check and work in a drug-free workplace
   • Ability to work at least 40 hours per week
   • No experience necessary! We will train the right person.

   
   

   ARE YOU READY TO JOIN OUR TEAM?

   
   

   If you feel that you would be right for this position, please fill out our initial 3-minute, mobile-friendly application so that we can review your information. We look forward to meeting you!

   We are an Equal Opportunity and a Drug-Free Workplace

   (The job description is not an exhaustive statement of all the duties, responsibilities, or qualifications of the job, nor is it intended to limit opportunities for necessary modifications).

   
   

   Arrow Exterminators as a PestVets Company is committed to hiring and participating in acts of service for Veterans and active-duty members of the U.S. Military.

   
   
   Job Posted by ApplicantPro
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find pest controllers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any pest controllers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level pest controllers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your pest controller job on Zippia to find and recruit pest controller candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with pest controller candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new pest controller

   Once you've found the pest controller candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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