Free Pest Control Technician Job Description Templates
Free pest control technician job description templates for small companies, with state licensing, EPA certification, and FLSA overtime guidance built in.
6 free templates across standard, seasonal, service, commercial, entry-level, and owner-operated roles, each with a built-in state licensing and EPA certification section, a plain FLSA overtime line, and an honest hourly pay band. Download as DOCX.
A pest control technician inspects properties, identifies pests, and applies treatments safely for residential and commercial customers along a route. For a small pest control company, hiring one well means more than listing duties. The role requires a state applicator license, sits under federal EPA certification rules for restricted-use pesticides, and is an hourly non-exempt job with real overtime during peak season, and most templates stay silent on all three.
At FirstHR, these six templates cover the role across settings: standard, seasonal, service route, commercial, entry-level trainee, and owner-operated. Each one builds in a state licensing and EPA certification section, a plain FLSA overtime line, and an honest hourly pay band. The guide to writing a job description covers the fundamentals behind any posting.
TL;DR
A pest control technician, also called an exterminator or pest control worker, inspects, identifies, and treats pests on a route, requiring a state applicator license and, for restricted-use pesticides, EPA certification. The role is hourly and non-exempt, with overtime during the spring and summer peak, and a federal median near $44,730 a year. Download six templates as DOCX, by company type, each with licensing, FLSA, and pay built in.
What a Pest Control Technician Does
A pest control technician inspects buildings and grounds for pests, identifies the problem, and applies treatments safely, then services that work along a recurring route of residential and commercial customers. The role is field-based and customer-facing, it handles regulated pesticides under strict label and safety rules, and it commonly includes evenings and weekends.
The federal occupation is pest control workers (37-2021), which the Bureau of Labor Statistics defines as workers who apply chemicals and set traps to remove pests, often inspecting buildings first. The same occupation covers the common synonyms, exterminator, pest control specialist, and pest control service technician, and the templates here are organized by company type and seniority so you can match the posting to the role you are filling.
Pest Control Technician Duties and Responsibilities
Pest control technician duties cluster into four areas: inspection and identification, treatment and safety, route and service, and records and compliance. A strong job description picks the responsibilities from each area that match the version and accounts you are hiring for.
Inspection and identification
Inspect buildings and grounds for pests
Identify pest types and infestation level
Recommend the right treatment plan
Treatment and safety
Mix and apply pesticides safely
Set traps, bait, and monitoring devices
Follow all label, PPE, and safety rules
Route and service
Drive a route and manage daily stops
Deliver friendly, reliable customer service
Explain findings and prevention to customers
Records and compliance
Keep accurate service and chemical-use records
Maintain equipment and the company vehicle
Comply with state and federal requirements
The emphasis shifts by version: a commercial technician leans into documentation and integrated pest management, a service technician into the recurring customer relationship, and a trainee into supervised learning. For a structured way to scope the role, the guide to defining job responsibilities walks through the process.
Which Template Should You Use?
Pick the template by company type and the kind of work. The core structure is shared, but each version emphasizes the duties, title, and framing that fit a specific situation. Use this guide to choose the closest fit, then adjust.
Pest Control Technician (Standard)
The core version
The standard route technician: inspect, identify, and treat pests for residential and commercial customers. The baseline, also called exterminator or pest control worker.
Seasonal / Summer Technician
Spring and summer hiring
For peak-season demand: treat properties on a route under supervision, with a path to a year-round role. The version no competitor offers.
Service Technician (Route)
Recurring accounts
For an ongoing route: scheduled treatments, customer relationships, renewals, and add-ons across recurring residential and commercial accounts.
Commercial Technician
Business accounts
For restaurants, food facilities, warehouses, and offices: integrated pest management, audit-ready documentation, and stricter facility standards.
Entry-Level / Trainee
No experience, supervised
For a first hire with training: start under a certified applicator, learn safe handling and pest ID, and work toward a state license.
Owner-Operated Small Business
Versatile first hire
For a family-run or single-location company: a versatile technician who treats, talks to customers, and helps run the business alongside the owner.
Match the Template to the Role
General route work: Pest Control Technician (Standard). Spring and summer demand: Seasonal / Summer. A recurring book of accounts: Service Technician. Restaurants, food facilities, and offices: Commercial. A first, trainable hire under supervision: Entry-Level / Trainee. A family-run or single-location company: Owner-Operated. For most small companies, the Standard or Owner-Operated version is the right starting point.
6 Free Pest Control Technician Job Description Templates
Download all six as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: company and job summary, key responsibilities, qualifications, a licensing and certification section, pay with the overtime line, and how to apply, with an EEO statement. Fill in the brackets and post.
Download All 6 Job Description Templates
Standard, seasonal, service, commercial, entry-level, and owner-operated. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: Pest Control Technician (Standard)
The standard route technician: inspect, identify, and treat pests for residential and commercial customers. The baseline to adapt, also called exterminator or pest control worker.
Pest Control Technician Job Description (Standard)
PEST CONTROL TECHNICIAN JOB DESCRIPTION (STANDARD)
Company: __ ([City, State])
Reports to: __ (Service Manager / Owner)
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Pay rate: $_____ to $_____ per hour
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about your pest control company, the areas you serve, and
the residential or commercial accounts this technician will handle.]
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Pest Control Technician to inspect properties, identify
pests, and apply treatments safely to residential and commercial customers in an
assigned route. You will drive a company vehicle, follow label and safety
requirements, keep accurate service records, and deliver reliable, friendly
service. A field role for someone dependable, safety-minded, and comfortable
working independently.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Inspect buildings and grounds for signs of pests
•Identify pest types and determine the right treatment
•Mix and apply pesticides and set traps and bait safely
•Follow all label directions, safety, and PPE requirements
•Drive a route and manage time across scheduled stops
•Keep accurate service, chemical-use, and inspection records
•Explain findings and prevention to customers
•Maintain equipment and vehicle in safe working order
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•High school diploma or equivalent; must be at least 18
•Valid driver's license and clean driving record
•State pest control applicator license or ability to obtain it
•Able to lift up to 50 pounds and work in varied conditions
•Strong reliability, attention to detail, and customer service
•Comfortable working evenings or weekends as routes require
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION (fill in your state)
This role requires state licensing and, for restricted-use pesticides, EPA
applicator certification. Our requirements:
[ ] State applicator license, category: __
[ ] Certified applicator [ ] Working under direct supervision while training
[ ] We provide training and cover license and recertification costs
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay rate: $_____ to $_____ per hour [+ benefits]
Overtime: paid at one and a half times the regular rate over 40 hours per week
To apply, send your resume to __.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 2: Seasonal / Summer Pest Control Technician
For peak-season demand: treat properties on a route under supervision, with a path to a year-round role. The version no competitor offers.
Seasonal / Summer Pest Control Technician Job Description
SEASONAL / SUMMER PEST CONTROL TECHNICIAN JOB DESCRIPTION
Template 5: Entry-Level Pest Control Technician / Trainee
For a first hire with training: start under a certified applicator, learn safe handling and pest identification, and work toward a state license.
Entry-Level Pest Control Technician / Trainee Job Description
ENTRY-LEVEL PEST CONTROL TECHNICIAN / TRAINEE JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __ ([City, State])
Reports to: __ (Service Manager / Certified Applicator)
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Pay rate: $_____ to $_____ per hour
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring an Entry-Level Pest Control Technician to learn the trade
with full training. No experience required: you will start under the direct
supervision of a certified applicator, learn safe pesticide handling and pest
identification, and work toward your own state license. A great start to a stable
field career.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Learn to inspect properties and identify common pests
•Assist with and learn safe treatment application
•Work under the direct supervision of a certified applicator
•Follow all label, safety, and PPE requirements
•Learn recordkeeping and route management
•Build customer-service and communication skills
•Study for the state applicator license exam
•Grow into a fully licensed technician role
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•High school diploma or equivalent; must be at least 18
•Valid driver's license and clean driving record
•Willingness to obtain a state applicator license with our support
•Able to lift up to 50 pounds and work in varied conditions
•Reliable, coachable, and customer-focused
•No experience required; we train
LICENSING NOTE
Until certified, a trainee may apply restricted-use pesticides only under the
direct supervision of a certified applicator, as your state and federal rules
allow. We provide training and cover the cost of licensing. This is general
information, not legal advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay rate: $_____ to $_____ per hour [+ benefits]
Growth: clear path to certified technician and route roles
To apply, send your resume to __.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 6: Pest Control Technician (Owner-Operated Small Business)
For a family-run or single-location company: a versatile technician who treats, talks to customers, and helps run the business alongside the owner.
Pest Control Technician Job Description (Owner-Operated Small Business)
PEST CONTROL TECHNICIAN JOB DESCRIPTION (OWNER-OPERATED SMALL BUSINESS)
Company: __ ([City, State])
Reports to: __ (Owner)
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Pay rate: $_____ to $_____ per hour
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is a local, owner-operated pest control company hiring a Pest
Control Technician to help us grow. This is the version for a small, family-run or
single-location business making one of its first hires: you will be a versatile
team member who runs treatments, talks with customers, and helps keep the business
running, with the owner training and working alongside you.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Inspect, identify, and treat pests at customer properties
•Apply pesticides and set bait and traps safely
•Follow all label, safety, and PPE requirements
•Build trust with customers in a tight-knit local market
•Keep accurate service and chemical-use records
•Help with scheduling, supplies, and day-to-day operations
•Drive and maintain the company vehicle
•Represent the business professionally in the community
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•High school diploma or equivalent; must be at least 18
•Valid driver's license and clean driving record
•State applicator license or willingness to obtain it with our support
•Able to lift up to 50 pounds and work in varied conditions
•Dependable, honest, and great with customers
•Comfortable wearing many hats at a small company
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION (fill in your state)
[ ] State applicator license, category: __
[ ] Certified applicator [ ] Under direct supervision while training
[ ] Owner provides training and covers licensing and recertification
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay rate: $_____ to $_____ per hour [+ benefits as we grow]
Overtime: paid at one and a half times the regular rate over 40 hours per week
To apply, contact __ directly.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Licensing, EPA Certification, and FLSA
This is the part the generic templates skip, and it is the part that protects a pest control company: the state licensing, the federal EPA certification rules, the ongoing recertification, and the FLSA overtime classification. Getting these into the posting itself is the single biggest way this page beats a generic template.
Every state licenses pest control workers
This is the part most templates skip, and it is the first thing to get right: all states require pest control applicators to be licensed, and the requirements vary by state. Build the licensing expectation into the posting itself rather than discovering it after a hire. Name the license category your work requires, state whether the applicant must already hold it or can obtain it with your support, and clarify whether the role is a certified applicator or a technician working under supervision while training. A posting that is specific about licensing screens out unqualified applicants and signals that you run a professional, compliant operation. This is general information, not legal advice.
On top of state licensing sits a federal layer. EPA regulations under 40 CFR Part 171 set minimum competency standards for applicators who use or supervise the use of restricted-use pesticides, and states, territories, and tribes run the certification programs. Many states go further and require certification for all commercial applicators, not only those using restricted products. A noncertified applicator may use restricted-use pesticides only under the direct supervision of a certified applicator. That structure, certified applicator over supervised technician, is exactly how a growing company staffs and trains, so state it plainly in the job description. This is general information, not legal advice.
The role is FLSA non-exempt and overtime-eligible
Classification is straightforward and worth stating plainly. A pest control technician performs manual, field-based work that does not meet the executive, administrative, or professional exemption tests, so the role is non-exempt and paid hourly under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The Department of Labor treats blue-collar and field-service occupations as non-exempt regardless of how they are paid. That matters here because the work commonly includes evenings, weekends, and weeks over 40 hours during peak season, so the employee is entitled to overtime at one and a half times the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. Track hours, and check state rules, which can be stricter. This is general information, not legal advice.
Recertification and continuing education are ongoing
Licensing is not a one-time event. Certified applicators generally must recertify periodically, commonly through continuing education every few years, with the exact cycle set by each state. For an employer this is a real, recurring obligation worth planning for: track each technician's license category, expiration date, and continuing-education credits, and budget time and cost for renewal so a lapse never pulls a technician off the route. Many companies cover license and recertification costs as a hiring incentive, which is worth stating in the posting. Keeping certificates and renewal dates organized turns a compliance task into a simple routine. This is general information, not legal advice.
Licensed in Every State, EPA-Certified for Restricted Products
Every state requires pest control applicators to be licensed, with requirements that vary by state. Federal EPA rules under 40 CFR Part 171 set competency standards for applicators of restricted-use pesticides, and a noncertified applicator may use them only under the direct supervision of a certified applicator. Certified applicators must recertify periodically through continuing education. Name the license category and certified-versus-supervised status in the posting. This is general information, not legal advice.
Pest control technician roles weight reliability, safety, and a license over formal education. Scale the requirements to the version and seniority you are hiring for.
Requirement
What to look for
Education and age
High school diploma or equivalent; at least 18
License
State applicator license, or ability to obtain it with support
Certification
EPA-standard certification for restricted-use products
Driving
Valid driver's license and clean driving record
Physical
Able to lift up to 50 pounds and work in varied conditions
Classification
Non-exempt, hourly, overtime over 40 hours per week
Keep the posting neutral and inclusive, since the EEOC prohibits job advertisements that show a preference based on a protected characteristic, and the SHRM guide covers the standard sections of a job description.
Pest Control Technician Pay
Pest control technicians are paid hourly, with overtime during the busy season. Set your rate to your local market, the experience level, and the license categories required, and post a transparent range where required.
Median Near $44,730 a Year (BLS)
The federal occupation, pest control workers, reported a median wage of $44,730 a year, about $21.51 an hour, as of the May 2024 data, with the lowest ten percent under about $32,460 and the highest ten percent over about $61,410, and employment around 102,400 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Entry-level and trainee roles start lower; experienced and commercial technicians earn toward the top.
Employment in the occupation is projected to grow about 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with roughly 13,400 openings a year, so a clear, transparent hourly offer with the overtime line stated helps attract reliable technicians. National compensation surveys and BLS data are the best references for setting a range.
Hiring for a Small Company
Most pest control companies are small and owner-run, where the owner handles hiring, licensing, training, and routes all at once. That is exactly the setting these templates are written for. Here is how to write the posting for that reality, and why the licensing and certification still apply in full.
Pest control is an owner-run industry, so the small-business version is the real one
Pest control is one of the most small-business-heavy trades in the country. There are tens of thousands of pest control companies in the United States, and roughly two-thirds are single-location operators, often family-run or owner-operated, with the typical company serving one metro area. In that setting the owner writes the posting, screens applicants, runs the interview, handles licensing, and trains the new technician directly, usually between running routes. The templates on this page are written for that reality, including an owner-operated version, rather than translating a national franchise's job classification down to a four-person company. Pick the version that matches whether you are an owner making an early hire or a larger company adding to a route team.
Licensing and EPA certification do not scale down with company size
A small, owner-operated company carries the same licensing and certification obligations as a large one. The technician still needs the right state applicator license for the work, restricted-use products still require EPA-standard certification or direct supervision of a certified applicator, and recertification still comes due on a cycle. The advantage a small company has is that the program is simple to set up once and keep current with a consistent hiring and onboarding routine. A repeatable first week that captures the license category and expiration, sets up supervised training where the technician is not yet certified, and stores the certificate turns a compliance burden into a routine, and keeps a lapse from ever pulling someone off the schedule.
After the offer, a new technician still has to be onboarded, trained, and tracked
Once you hire a pest control technician, the people side is ordinary field-service operations made specific by this trade: a clear hourly offer that states the non-exempt classification and overtime, the I-9 and tax forms, safety and chemical-handling training before any application work, license verification or a supervised-training plan, and route and vehicle setup. FirstHR fits this for a small company: e-signature for the offer letter, training modules and task workflows for safety and chemical-handling onboarding and the first-week checklist, document management for applicator licenses and recertification certificates, and an org chart for the growing crew. To be clear about scope, FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a routing, billing, or payroll system, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so pair it with those providers. Because pricing is flat rather than per employee, a small company pays one predictable rate. Applicant tracking is coming soon.
From Hiring to Onboarding
The job description is step one. Once a candidate accepts, the same document becomes the basis for the offer and a safety-first onboarding. Because the technician handles regulated pesticides and works under licensing rules from day one, getting training, license verification, and the paperwork right early matters.
Send the hourly offer
Confirm the role, hourly rate, route, and non-exempt classification with overtime in writing, with the offer letter ready to e-sign.
Run safety training first
Safety and chemical-handling training before any application work, with a signed acknowledgment kept on file.
Verify the license or plan supervision
Confirm the state applicator license and category, or set up supervised training under a certified applicator until the technician is certified.
Store licenses and track renewals
Keep the signed offer, applicator license, recertification certificates, and I-9 and W-4 organized, with renewal dates tracked.
Once your offer is ready, the offer letter template handles the next step, and an onboarding template gives the new technician a structured start. FirstHR connects the offer, e-signatures, safety and chemical-handling training, the first-week task workflow, and document management for applicator licenses and recertification certificates in one place, so a small company can run the same process every time it hires. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a routing, billing, or payroll system, so connect those separately. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
Key Takeaways
A pest control technician inspects, identifies, and treats pests on a route; the role maps to the federal pest control workers occupation, also called exterminator.
Every state requires a pest control applicator license, and restricted-use pesticides require EPA-standard certification or direct supervision of a certified applicator.
Certified applicators must recertify periodically through continuing education, so track each technician's license category, expiration, and credits.
The role is FLSA non-exempt and hourly, with overtime over 40 hours, which is common during the spring and summer peak.
Pay is hourly with a federal median near $44,730 a year; entry-level starts lower and commercial or certified technicians earn toward the top.
Use the version that matches the company: standard, seasonal, service, commercial, entry-level, or owner-operated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a pest control technician do?
A pest control technician inspects properties, identifies pests, and applies treatments to control them for residential and commercial customers, usually along an assigned route. The work clusters into four areas: inspection and identification (checking buildings and grounds and determining the treatment), treatment and safety (mixing and applying pesticides, setting traps and bait, and following label and PPE rules), route and service (driving the route and delivering reliable customer service), and records and compliance (keeping accurate service and chemical-use records and meeting state and federal requirements). The role, also called exterminator, pest control worker, or service technician, is field-based, customer-facing, and safety-driven, and it often includes evenings and weekends. This is general information, not legal advice.
Does a pest control technician need a license?
Yes. All states require pest control applicators to be licensed, and the specific requirements vary by state. On top of state licensing, federal EPA regulations under 40 CFR Part 171 set minimum competency standards for applicators who use or supervise the use of restricted-use pesticides, with states, territories, and tribes administering the certification programs. Many states require certification for all commercial applicators, not only those handling restricted products. A technician who is not yet certified may apply restricted-use pesticides only under the direct supervision of a certified applicator. In practice, that means a job posting should name the license category the work requires and state whether the applicant must already hold the license or can obtain it with the employer's support. This is general information, not legal advice.
Is a pest control technician exempt or non-exempt under the FLSA?
A pest control technician is non-exempt and paid hourly. The work is manual, field-based service that does not meet the duties tests for the executive, administrative, or professional white-collar exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Department of Labor treats blue-collar and field-service occupations as non-exempt regardless of how they are paid. That means the technician is entitled to at least the minimum wage and to overtime at one and a half times the regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. This matters in pest control because the work commonly includes evenings, weekends, and weeks over 40 hours during the spring and summer peak. Track hours carefully, and note that some states set stricter overtime rules. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is the difference between a pest control technician and an exterminator?
They are essentially the same role under different names. Pest control technician, exterminator, pest control worker, pest control specialist, and pest control service technician are largely interchangeable titles for the person who inspects, identifies, and treats pests at customer properties. Exterminator is the older, more informal term and pest control technician is the more common modern job title, but the duties, licensing, and pay are the same. The federal occupation, pest control workers, covers all of these. Use the title your candidates in your market recognize, and keep the duties and licensing requirements consistent regardless of which label you choose. Distinct roles that are not the same job include pest control sales and pest control branch manager, which differ in duties and pay. This is general information, not legal advice.
How much does a pest control technician make?
Pest control technicians are paid hourly. The federal occupation, pest control workers, reported a median wage of 44,730 dollars a year, about 21.51 dollars an hour, as of the May 2024 data, with the lowest ten percent under about 32,460 dollars and the highest ten percent over about 61,410 dollars. Entry-level and trainee roles start near the bottom of that range, while experienced and commercial technicians, especially those with certifications in additional categories, earn toward the top. Pay also rises with overtime during the busy season, since the role is non-exempt. Set your range to your local market, the experience level, and the license categories required, and post a transparent rate where required. This is general information, not compensation advice.
Do small pest control companies really hire technicians directly?
Yes, and it is the norm in this trade. Pest control is one of the most small-business-heavy industries in the country, with tens of thousands of companies and roughly two-thirds operating from a single location, often family-run or owner-operated. The typical company serves one metro area. In that setting there is rarely a recruiting function, so the owner writes the job posting, screens applicants, runs the interview, handles licensing, and trains the new technician directly. Because of that, a posting that builds in the licensing requirement, the FLSA overtime expectation, and a safety-first onboarding plan saves an owner real time. This page includes an owner-operated version written for exactly that situation, plus a seasonal version for spring and summer hiring. This is general information, not legal advice.
What qualifications does a pest control technician need?
Most pest control technician roles require a high school diploma or equivalent, a minimum age of 18, a valid driver's license with a clean record, and the state applicator license the work requires, or a willingness to obtain it with the employer's support. Employers look for reliability, attention to detail, physical stamina to lift up to about 50 pounds and work in varied conditions, and strong customer-service skills, since the technician represents the company at every stop. Comfort working evenings or weekends helps, because routes and seasonal demand often require it. For entry-level and trainee roles, no experience is needed because the employer trains and the new hire works under a certified applicator while studying for the license. Scale the requirements to the version and seniority you are hiring for. This is general information, not legal advice.
What should a pest control technician job description include?
Start by choosing the version you are hiring: standard, seasonal, service route, commercial, entry-level trainee, or owner-operated. Include a short company summary, a job summary that names the inspect-identify-treat field work, and responsibilities grouped into inspection and identification, treatment and safety, route and service, and records and compliance. State the requirements, including the minimum age of 18, driver's license, physical demands, and the state applicator license. The most valuable additions that generic templates skip are a built-in state licensing and EPA certification section, a plain FLSA non-exempt and overtime line, and an honest hourly pay band. Close with an equal opportunity statement and clear apply instructions. This is general information, not legal advice.
