Pest Control Workers
Machines can already do 24% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 54%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Pest Control Workers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 24% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 5% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2034, and 54% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 102,620 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $45,250 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 75% for contact with people.
- Also called: Commercial Pest Control Technician (Commercial Pest Control Tech), Exterminator, Pest Control Applicator, Pest Control Chemical Technician (Pest Control Chemical Tech).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spray or dust chemical solutions, powders, or gases into rooms, onto clothing, furnishings, or wood, or over marshlands, ditches, or catch basins | 26% | 3% to 30% | |
| Drive truck equipped with power spraying equipment | 18% | 45% to 85% | |
| Inspect premises to identify infestation source and extent of damage to property, wall, or roof porosity and access to infested locations | 15% | 3% to 30% | |
| Record work activities performed | 10% | 83% to 97% | |
| Recommend treatment and prevention methods for pest problems to clients | 8% | 35% to 58% | |
| Set mechanical traps, or place poisonous paste or bait in sewers, burrows, or ditches | 7% | 3% to 30% | |
| Cut or bore openings in building or surrounding concrete, access infested areas, insert nozzle, and inject pesticide to impregnate ground | 4% | 20% to 60% | |
| Clean work site after completion of job | 2% | 30% to 75% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills pest control workers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians39% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,380
- Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education50% of tasks by 2035
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners53% of tasks by 2035 · US median $35,510
- Animal Caretakers51% of tasks by 2035 · US median $35,360
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Pest Control Workers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2034. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of pest control workers?
Machines can do 24% of the tasks of pest control workers today and 54% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 37-2021.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Pest Control Workers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/pest-control-workers/