Skip to the main content
This website uses cookies to give you a better online experience. By using this website or closing this message, you are agreeing to our cookie policy. More information
Alberta Supports Contact Centre

Toll Free 1-877-644-9992

Structural Pesticide Applicator

Structural pesticide applicators use a variety of methods to control and prevent the spread of insects and other pests that may infest residential or commercial properties.

Also Known As

Exterminator, Pest Control Operator

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 7444: Pest Controllers and Fumigators

2006 NOC-S

  • H534: Pest Controllers and Fumigators

2011 NOC

  • 7444: Pest controllers and fumigators

2016 NOC

  • 7444: Pest controllers and fumigators

2021 NOC

  • 73202: Pest controllers and fumigators

2023 OaSIS

  • 73202.00: Pest controllers and fumigators
Duties
Updated Mar 24, 2023

In general, structural pesticide applicators determine how and where to control pests on clients’ property. They:

  • Inspect buildings and surrounding areas to detect signs of infestation by insects, rodents, or pest bird species
  • Identify pests
  • Monitor the area to determine if treatment is necessary
  • Determine the type of treatment required (sanitation, exclusion, or habitat modification) and cost to the client
  • Treat the infested area with the proper use of appropriate pesticide or set sticky or mechanical traps
  • Use extreme heat and other methods to control bed bugs

Since they use toxic materials and chemicals, structural pesticide applicators must take safety precautions. These include:

  • Taking care to prevent pesticide from being placed where children, pets, or other non-target animals may come into contact with it
  • Wearing rubber gloves, protective clothing, and respirators when mixing or handling pesticides to avoid breathing them in and to prevent skin contact

Structural pesticide applicators most often have assigned routes. On that route, they are responsible for sales work, informing customers about conditions that attract pests, and conducting periodic inspections to detect signs of possible reinfestation.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 24, 2023
  • Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg

Insects, rodents, and birds are most active in spring and summer, so structural pesticide applicators are busiest during those seasons. However, indoor applications occur throughout the year for pests such as bedbugs and cockroaches.

Regular weekday work is typical. But because public buildings need to be closed before pesticide can be applied, evening and weekend shifts are the norm for public facilities.

Indoors, structural pesticide applicators work in a variety of settings. Outdoors, they encounter all kinds of weather. They may have to crawl into dirty or dusty places or climb roofs and trees to check infestation sources and administer treatments. They may have to lift heavy items. Safety precautions are a standard part of the job when handling toxic materials.

Work Personalities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
R
Realistic
This occupation
You
C
Conventional
I
Investigative
This occupation
You

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

Your Work Personalities

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Pest controllers and fumigators
2023 OaSIS: 73202.00

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.

The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.

The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Abilities Sets

The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.

Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.

This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Numbers and Patterns

Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.

This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Physical Activity

Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Mind-Body Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Senses

Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 24, 2023

Structural pesticide applicators need:

  • Adaptability
  • Stamina
  • Creativity
  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Investigative and problem-solving skills

They should enjoy:

  • Operating mechanical and electric equipment
  • Having clear rules and organized work methods
  • Working with people
  • Constantly learning and improving their skills

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Pest controllers and fumigators

2016 NOC: 7444

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 97 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 16, 2021 and Oct 02, 2025.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Inspect buildings and outside areas to detect signs of infestation
Tasks: Advise clients on how to prevent pest infestation
Tasks: Determine type of treatment required
Tasks: Place and set traps to capture and remove animals
Tasks: Clean out areas that harbour pests
Work Setting: Various locations
Tasks: Install animal control barriers to keep animals off property
Attention to detail
Tasks: Prepare and spray chemical mixture on infested areas
Tasks: Provide estimate of costs
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 24, 2023
  • Minimum Education Varies

Structural pesticide applicators require training to apply most structural pesticides. However, on-the-job training occurs as well.

Employers most often prefer to hire applicants who are at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma with courses in biology. A valid driver’s licence is often required. Sales experience is an asset.

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 24, 2023
  • Certification Provincially regulated

This occupation has federal and provincial regulations. For details about the federal requirements, visit the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) website.

 

Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.

The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.

Pesticide Applicator and Dispenser

Pesticide applicators use pesticides (chemicals) as part of their paid employment to control pests such as weeds, diseases, or destructive insects or animals.

Pesticide dispensers sell and store pesticides as part of their paid employment.

Legislation

Under Alberta’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act [pdf] and Pesticide (Ministerial) Regulation [pdf], to apply a commercial-class pesticide such as insecticide, herbicide, or fungicide, you must be one of the following:

  • A commercial agriculturalist (farmer)
  • A certified pesticide applicator
  • Supervised by someone who is certified

To sell pesticides, you must be a certified dispenser. There are 2 types of dispensers in Alberta:

  • Lawn and garden pesticide dispensers, who sell domestic-class pesticides
  • Commercial dispensers, who sell domestic, commercial, and restricted-class pesticides

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Pesticide Applicator and Dispenser.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 24, 2023

Most structural pesticide applicators work for privately owned and operated pest control firms. There are also opportunities with municipal government departments. These operators most often oversee recreation facilities and other municipal buildings.

With experience, structural pesticide applicators can move up into supervisory, management, or trainer positions. Self-employment also is an option. However, this is a highly competitive field.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Pest controllers and fumigators
2016 NOC: 7444

76.8% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Pest controllers and fumigators
2021 NOC: 73202
Warm
Job Market
< 1500
Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Pest controllers and fumigators
2016 NOC: 7444
2.7%
Annual Growth
(Above average)
2
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Jun 05, 2025

Salaries for structural pesticide applicators vary depending on location and the applicator’s qualifications. Those working with private-sector companies may be paid commissions for the new business they attract.

Structural pesticide applicators are part of the larger 2021 National Occupational Classification 73202: Pest controllers and fumigators

According to the 2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Pest controllers and fumigators occupational group earned on average from $21.29 to $32.18 an hour. The overall average was $26.97 an hour. For more information, see the Pest controllers and fumigators wage profile.

Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Personal and Food Services
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 24, 2023

Government of Alberta, Environment and Protected Areas website: www.alberta.ca/environment-and-protected-areas.aspx

Canadian Pest Management Association (CPMA) website: www.pestworldcanada.net

National Pest Management Association (NPMA) website: npmapestworld.org

Pest Management Association of Alberta (PMAA) website: www.pmaapestworld.com

Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) website: www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/about-health-canada/branches-agencies/pest-management-regulatory-agency.html

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 24, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

Was this page useful?