Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
SOC 37-3012 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation is $44,070, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $44,480, and an estimated 23,520 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +20.3% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of +2.2% after inflation. BLS projects employment will grow 3.8% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $44,070 | $44,070 | 23,520 |
| 2022 | $41,440 | $43,146 | 22,740 |
| 2021 | $38,270 | $43,034 | 25,820 |
| 2020 | $36,630 | $43,125 | 23,950 |
Nominal change
+20.3%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
+2.2%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+3.8%
Faster than average
Employment 2024
29,600
Projected 2034
30,700
Annual Openings
4,100
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $44,070. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $57,690 | +30.9% | — |
| Massachusetts | $56,730 | +28.7% | — |
| West Texas Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $54,840 | +24.4% | 160 |
| West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $51,240 | +16.3% | 90 |
| Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area | $49,550 | +12.4% | 80 |
| Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $49,240 | +11.7% | 60 |
| North Dakota | $49,030 | +11.3% | 220 |
| Idaho | $48,930 | +11% | 180 |
| Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area | $48,930 | +11% | 50 |
| Washington | $48,770 | +10.7% | 430 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$31,550
25th Pct
$37,210
Median
$44,070
75th Pct
$49,120
90th Pct
$57,370
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