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Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance (37-3012)

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.

At a Glance

Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation earns a median of $45,200/yr with +3.8% projected growth. Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent. Top skills: Microsoft Office software, Google Android, Facebook.

Median Annual Wage

$45,200/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+3.8%

Annual Openings

4

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Skills & Requirements

Skills (1)

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

3.3

Knowledge (5)

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

3.6
Biology

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

3.5
Production and Processing

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

3.5
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

3.5
Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

3.4

Abilities (7)

Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.5
Control Precision

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

3.4
Arm-Hand Steadiness

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

3.4
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.3
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.3
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

3.3
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

3.3

Technology (5)

Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Google Android

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
Facebook

Category: Web page creation and editing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5

Work Activities (22)

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

4.3
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

4.2
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.1
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

4.0
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

4.0
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

4.0
Performing General Physical Activities

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.

4.0
Handling and Moving Objects

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

4.0
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

3.9
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

3.7
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

3.7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

3.7
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

3.6
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

3.6
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

3.5
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

3.5
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

3.5
Controlling Machines and Processes

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

3.5
Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

3.4
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

3.3
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

3.3
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

3.3

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

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