Pest Control Technician in Georgia: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Licensed local services

Georgia employs 5,770 pest control technicians, with a statewide median of $37,860 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Georgia licensing picture, and where to train.

What Pest control technicians Earn in Georgia (May 2025)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for pest control technicians in major Georgia markets:

What That Pay Is Worth in Georgia

Prices in Georgia run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 96.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $37,860 median stretches to roughly $39,315 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Georgia (2024–2034)

Georgia is projected to grow pest control technicians employment +11.7%, faster than the +5.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 840 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Georgia License and Certification Requirements

Pest Control Technician Certificate → Certified Pest Control Operator — regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture — Structural Pest Control.

1. Georgia requires pest control technicians to hold a Pest Control Technician Certificate from the Georgia Department of Agriculture. To obtain the certificate: be employed by a licensed Georgia pest control company, complete the GDA-approved 20-hour technician training, and pass the technician certification exam.
2. After accumulating field experience, advance to Georgia Certified Pest Control Operator: complete the Operator's exam (core + category: General Household Pest, Termite, Lawn/Ornamental, etc.) and apply to GDA.
3. Certificate/license renews annually. Certified Operators can supervise technicians and qualify a licensed pest control business.

Official requirements: Georgia Department of Agriculture — Structural Pest Control →

Training in Georgia

Georgia's warm, humid climate makes it one of the most pest-active states in the country. Subterranean termites are a significant category — Georgia housing stock has high termite risk. Mosquito and fire ant control are also major service lines. The growing Atlanta metro suburbs (Cherokee, Forsyth, Henry counties) have particularly active pest control markets.

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want a quick licensed entry path and don't mind working outdoors and in varied building environments.

Think twice if: Pesticide exposure, crawl spaces, attics, and physically demanding customer sites sound unappealing.

Why it's resilient: Licensed pest control requires physical site assessment, chemical application judgment, and local knowledge that cannot be done remotely.

First Steps

Look for pest control technician openings with established companies — most train on the job and sponsor you for the state license exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Georgia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 37-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Georgia Department of Agriculture — Structural Pest Control (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Georgia wages · Georgia licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.