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Pest Control Workers

Food Preparation & Servicelowaugment
Projected change (est.): ~+4%
Median Wage (est.): ~$40,200
Employment (est.): ~90K

Overall Exposure

15+7

2025 vs 2023

Theoretical Exposure

27

What AI could do

Observed Exposure

7

What AI actually does

Automation Risk Score

16

Displacement risk

3-Year Outlook (2025 → 2028)

Projected changes in AI automation metrics over the next 3 years based on estimated data.

Overall Exposure

1527
+12

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Theoretical Exposure

2742
+15

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Observed Exposure

716
+9

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Automation Risk

1628
+12

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Exposure Metrics (2023 - 2028)

Task Breakdown

Inspect buildings and sites to identify pest types and infestation levels
22%β 0.5
Apply chemical treatments and set traps
10%β 0
Prepare service reports and document treatments
55%β 0.5
Advise clients on prevention methods and sanitation practices
30%β 0.5

About This Occupation

If you work as a Pest Control Worker, AI is reshaping your profession. With an automation risk of 16/100 and overall exposure at 15%, this role faces low transformation. The highest-impact area is prepare service reports and document treatments at 55% automation. This is classified as an 'augment' role. BLS projects +4% growth through 2034. AI-powered pest identification apps and IoT sensor monitoring are improving inspection accuracy and efficiency, but the physical application of treatments and on-site customer interaction remain firmly in human hands.

ISCO-08 classification

Unit group 7544ILO official

Fumigators and Other Pest and Weed Controllers

Definition

ILO original text (English)

Fumigators and other pest and weed controllers use chemicals to remove harmful insects, small animals, wild plants and other unwanted organisms, to prevent damage to crops and to buildings and other structures and their surroundings, and to prevent health risks.

Definition & vocabulary source

Source: International Labour Organization (ILO) — ISCO-08 Structure

License: ILO CC BY 4.0

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Official occupational information

  • ONET37-2021.00

    Pest Control Workers

    Apply or release chemical solutions or toxic gases and set traps to kill or remove pests and vermin that infest buildings and surrounding areas.

    View original

Source: O*NET 30.2, U.S. DOL/ETA

License: CC BY 4.0

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Frequently Asked Questions

With an automation risk score of 16%, Pest Control Workers has a low risk of AI replacement. Most tasks in this role require skills that are difficult for AI to replicate, such as complex decision-making, physical dexterity, or deep interpersonal interaction. AI is more likely to serve as a supportive tool.

Our estimated AI automation risk score for Pest Control Workers is 16% for 2025. Estimated overall AI exposure is 15%, with 27% theoretical exposure and 7% observed exposure. The estimated risk trend from 2023 to 2025 is +7 points. All of these are model-generated estimates, not measurements.

The tasks with the highest automation potential for Pest Control Workers are: Prepare service reports and document treatments (55%), Advise clients on prevention methods and sanitation practices (30%), Inspect buildings and sites to identify pest types and infestation levels (22%). These rates are our own estimates of how much of each task current AI systems can handle. They are not measurements and are not taken from any external dataset.

We estimate a +4% employment change for Pest Control Workers between 2024 and 2034. This is our own estimate, not a figure published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Combined with an estimated overall AI exposure of 15%, this occupation faces both traditional labor market shifts and AI-driven transformation. Workers should monitor both employment trends and AI capability growth.

Since AI primarily augments capabilities in this role, professionals in Pest Control Workers should embrace AI as a productivity multiplier. Focus on learning to use AI tools effectively, developing higher-order analytical and creative skills, and positioning yourself as someone who can leverage AI to deliver greater value.

Recent AI Impact Changes

Mar 2026: Published evergreen blog analyzing AI impact on pest control workers (16% automation risk)

[Source: Blog Wave 19]