Pest control technician jobs in DFW: pay, Texas licensing and how to get hired

Dallas–Fort Worth keeps growing, and every new home, apartment and restaurant means more pest pressure. Companies need technicians who can run a route, treat safely and talk straight with customers. Here is what the work pays, how Texas licensing works, and how to get hired.

What pest control workers earn

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $45,250 (May 2025) for pest control workers - about $21.75 an hour. The lowest 10% earned under $34,680 and the top 10% over $61,890. In the exterminating and pest control services industry, the median was $44,930. For context, the median for all occupations was $50,980. BLS projects 6% growth from 2025 to 2035, faster than average, with about 13,700 openings a year nationwide and about 108,700 jobs in 2025.

Many DFW companies add commission or production bonuses on top of hourly or base pay. Ask exactly how pay is calculated before you accept.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Pest Control Workers (May 2025 wage data).

Texas licensing in plain words

• Structural pest control for hire is regulated by the Texas Department of Agriculture Structural Pest Control Service (SPCS).
• Apprentice: register as an apprentice with a licensed pest control business (TDA lists a $125 fee). You work under a licensed technician or certified applicator while you train.
• Training path: complete required training - typically 20 hours of general classroom training, plus 8 classroom hours and 40 hours of on-the-job training per category, and an approved ~6-hour technician training course - then pass the category exam for a technician license.
• Most states require a license. BLS notes that a high school diploma plus on-the-job training is the usual entry path. A valid driver's license and a clean driving record are almost always required for route work.

What a DFW route week looks like

• Residential and commercial stops across the metroplex - often a mix of recurring service and one-time treatments.
• Heat, crawl spaces and attics. Expect PPE, ladders and tight spaces in July and August.
• Evenings and weekends are common when customers are home.
• Commission or production bonuses are common. Ask whether you are paid hourly, salary-plus-commission, or by stop, and when bonuses pay out.

Questions to ask in the interview

• Will you register me as an SPCS apprentice and pay for training and the exam?
• Is pay hourly, base-plus-commission, or production - and how is commission calculated?
• Do I get a company vehicle, fuel card and product supplies?
• What does a typical route look like in my first 90 days?

Related: landscaping jobs in Frisco · commercial cleaning jobs in Irving · DFW job search guide · apprentice to journeyman.

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FAQ

Do I need a license for pest control work in Texas?

Yes for structural pest control for hire. Register as an apprentice with a licensed business through the Texas Department of Agriculture Structural Pest Control Service, complete required training, then pass the category exam for a technician license.

How much do pest control technicians make?

BLS reports a median of $45,250 a year (about $21.75 an hour) for pest control workers (May 2025). The top 10% earned over $61,890.

What does a typical DFW pest control day look like?

Route stops across residential and commercial accounts, often including crawl spaces and attics, with evenings or weekends common and commission or production bonuses on many plans.