Description
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.
Interests
- Realistic
- Conventional
Work Values
- Support
- Independence
- Working Conditions
Work Styles
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Independence
- Cooperation
- Integrity
Tasks
- 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.
- Identify lawn or plant diseases to determine the appropriate course of treatment.
- Cover areas to specified depths with pesticides, applying knowledge of weather conditions, droplet sizes, elevation-to-distance ratios, and obstructions.
Work Activities
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Getting Information
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects
Detailed Work Activities
- Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Technology Skills
- Spreadsheet software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Geographic information system
- Electronic mail software
- Office suite software
Abilities
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Control Precision
- Deductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
Skills
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Time Management
- Complex Problem Solving
Knowledge
- Biology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Administration and Management
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Certified IPM TechnicianCertifying Organization
Entomological Society of America Certification Corporation
Type
Core
Certificate name
Landscape Industry Certified Technician - Exterior (Irrigation)Certifying Organization
National Association of Landscape Professionals
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Landscape Industry Certified Horticultural TechnicianCertifying Organization
National Association of Landscape Professionals
Type
Core
Certificate name
Board Certified EntomologistCertifying Organization
Entomological Society of America Certification Corporation
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Associate Certified EntomologistCertifying Organization
Entomological Society of America Certification Corporation
Type
Core
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $37,242 |
| Median (50%) | $43,043 |
| High (90%) | $51,468 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $43,102 |
| Mid Level | $47,715 |
| Senior Level | $53,594 |
| Expert Level | N/A |
Employability
There are currently 26,700 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 28,000 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 5%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 5%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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