Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
Machines can already do 30% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 69%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 30% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2032, and 69% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 27,050 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $46,340 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 65% for contact with people.
- Also called: Applicator, Chemical Applicator, Herbicide Applicator, IPM Technician (Integrated Pest Management Technician).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lift, push, and swing nozzles, hoses, and tubes to direct spray over designated areas | 26% | 30% to 75% | |
| Cover areas to specified depths with pesticides, applying knowledge of weather conditions, droplet sizes, elevation-to-distance ratios, and obstructions | 14% | 30% to 75% | |
| Record information about pesticide applications, such as the type used and amount applied | 13% | 70% to 95% | |
| Establish driving routes for pesticide applications | 9% | 30% to 60% | |
| Mix pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides for application to trees, shrubs, lawns, or botanical crops | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Clean or service machinery to ensure operating efficiency, using water, gasoline, lubricants, or hand tools | 7% | 3% to 30% | |
| Fill sprayer tanks with water and chemicals, according to formulas | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Identify lawn or plant diseases to determine the appropriate course of treatment | 6% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Opticians, Dispensing46% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,260
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $44,080
- Insulation Workers, Mechanical44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $58,340
- Dietetic Technicians58% of tasks by 2035 · US median $37,640
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2032. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation?
Machines can do 30% of the tasks of pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation today and 69% 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 37-3012.00 (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). Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/pesticide-handlers-sprayers-and-applicators-vegetation/