Pest Control Trainee

Shift Ladder; United States; On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Shift Ladder is seeking a Pest Control Trainee in the United States. You will shadow a licensed technician, learn what to spray, where to spray, and why, while gaining hands-on experience.

You’ll identify pests by sight or by client cues, study for the state license exam in your off hours, and start carrying equipment and chemical tanks as you train.

This entry role begins with 0–6 months of on-the-job training and license preparation, with growth opportunities within the company.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with on-the-job training for state license.
• Willingness to learn and physical stamina.
• Ability to stay composed around pests and follow instructions.

Responsibilities

• Shadow a licensed technician and learn what to spray, where to spray, and why.
• Identify pests by sight - or by the client pointing and screaming.
• Study for the state pest control license exam in your off hours.
• Carry equipment and chemical tanks that make you feel like a one-person SWAT team.
• Learn the difference between a German cockroach and an American cockroach (yes, it matters).
• Build up your tolerance for crawlspaces, attics, and things with too many legs.

Skills

Willingness to learn

Physical stamina

Composure around pests

Following instructions

Education

High school diploma + on-the-job training (studying for state license)

Tools

Pest identification (insects, rodents, wildlife)

Basic chemical safety & handling

Job description

You're learning to fight bugs for a living, and the training period is equal parts classroom chemistry and crawlspace horror movie. You'll shadow a licensed tech, learn to identify insects by sight (and sometimes by the screaming of the homeowner), and study for the state license exam that lets you legally spray things that kill other things. The good news: bugs are predictable. The bad news: the spaces you'll crawl into are not.

Salary Range

Low

$26k

Median

$29k

High

$32k

10-Year Growth

10%

US Workers

90K

Education

High school diploma + on-the-job training (studying for state license)

mixed

Tools & Technical Skills

• Pest identification (insects, rodents, wildlife)
• Basic chemical safety & handling

People & Mindset Skills

• Willingness to learn
• Physical stamina
• Composure around pests
• Following instructions

What you'll actually do

• 01 Shadow a licensed technician and learn what to spray, where to spray, and why
• 02 Identify pests by sight - or by the client pointing and screaming
• 03 Study for the state pest control license exam in your off hours
• 04 Carry equipment and chemical tanks that make you feel like a one-person SWAT team
• 05 Learn the difference between a German cockroach and an American cockroach (yes, it matters)
• 06 Build up your tolerance for crawlspaces, attics, and things with too many legs

Where this role sits in the bigger picture - and where it can take you.

Pest Control Trainee

YOU ARE HERE

Entry - 0-6 mos - On-the-job training + state license exam

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