Pest controller vs hand spray operator

The differences between pest controllers 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 $39,928 average annual salary of a pest controller.

The top three skills for a pest controller include pest control, pest management and pest problems. The most important skills for a hand spray operator are rig, general maintenance, and safety rules.

Pest controller vs hand spray operator overview

	Pest Controller	Hand Spray Operator
Yearly salary	$39,928	$44,530
Hourly rate	$19.20	$21.41
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	16,235	45,293
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	40	43
Years of experience	-	4

Pest controller vs hand spray operator salary

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

	Pest Controller	Hand Spray Operator
Average salary	$39,928	$44,530
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $66,000	Between $33,000 And $59,000
Highest paying City	Los Angeles, CA	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	ASRC Federal	-
Best paying industry	Construction	-

Differences between pest controller and hand spray operator education

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

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

Pest controller vs hand spray operator demographics

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

	Pest Controller	Hand Spray Operator
Average age	40	43
Gender ratio	Male, 87.8% Female, 12.2%	Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 2.3% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	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 pest controller and hand spray operator duties and responsibilities

Pest controller example 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.

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

Pest controller vs hand spray operator skills

Common pest controller skills

Pest Control, 45%
Pest Management, 12%
Pest Problems, 10%
Rakes, 8%
Shovels, 6%
Hand Tools, 6%

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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Pest Controller vs Hand Spray Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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