How Much Does an Exterminator Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$45,250
Exterminators in the U.S. earn a median of $45,250 a year, or $21.75 an hour. Half of exterminators earn more than $45,250 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $61,890.
Pay percentiles for exterminators
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16.67 | $34,680 |
| 25th | $18.00 | $37,440 |
| 50th (median) | $21.75 | $45,250 |
| 75th | $23.85 | $49,600 |
| 90th | $29.75 | $61,890 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Pest Control Workers (SOC 37-2021). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for exterminators
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $51,300 | $24.66 | +13% |
| South Dakota | $49,920 | $24.00 | +10% |
| Nevada | $49,240 | $23.67 | +9% |
| Connecticut | $49,010 | $23.56 | +8% |
| New Jersey | $48,780 | $23.45 | +8% |
| Colorado | $48,650 | $23.39 | +8% |
| Hawaii | $48,570 | $23.35 | +7% |
| New York | $48,530 | $23.33 | +7% |
| Maine | $48,340 | $23.24 | +7% |
| North Dakota | $48,020 | $23.09 | +6% |
| United States | $45,250 | $21.75 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many exterminators are there?
BLS counts about 102,620 exterminators employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Pest Control Workers”. The most jobs are in Florida (12,400), Texas (9,470) and Georgia (5,770).
The mean (average) annual wage is $46,400, higher than the median of $45,250.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,771
- Biweekly
- $1,740
- Weekly
- $870
- Daily (8 hours)
- $174
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do exterminators make an hour?
The median hourly wage for exterminators is $21.75. The middle 50% earn between $18.00 and $23.85 an hour.
Which state pays exterminators the most?
Washington has the highest median wage for exterminators at $51,300, +13% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for exterminators?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of exterminators earn less than $34,680 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.