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

Licensed local services

Indiana employs 1,670 pest control technicians, with a statewide median of $38,600 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Indiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Pest control technicians Earn in Indiana (May 2025)

Indiana median pay: $38,600 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $35,290
Experienced (75th percentile): $48,410
Top earners (90th percentile): $60,920
Employed in Indiana: 1,670
U.S. median (for comparison): $43,610 (May 2024)

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

Terre Haute: $44,470 (50 employed)
Evansville: $41,440 (160 employed)
Indianapolis: $38,740 (590 employed)
Fort Wayne: $37,630 (100 employed)
South Bend: $37,420 (80 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Indiana

Prices in Indiana run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $38,600 median stretches to roughly $41,372 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Indiana (2024–2034)

Indiana is projected to grow pest control technicians employment +5.9%, faster than the +5.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 220 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Indiana License and Certification Requirements

Certified Pesticide Applicator License (Category 7B — Structural Pest Control) — regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources — Office of Indiana State Chemist (pesticides).

Work under a licensed Commercial Pesticide Applicator for the required supervised experience, learning pest identification and treatment protocols. Key Indiana structural pests include German cockroaches, subterranean termites, carpenter ants, and bed bugs.
Pass the Indiana Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC) Commercial Pesticide Applicator examination for Category 7B (Structural Pest Control). Register through the OISC online portal at Purdue University.
Apply to the OISC for your Commercial Pesticide Applicator License. Renew every three years with 6 CE credits.

Official requirements: Indiana Department of Natural Resources — Office of Indiana State Chemist (pesticides) →

Training in Indiana

Indiana's pest control market is driven by termites (especially active in southern Indiana), cockroach and ant pressure in urban areas, and growing mosquito/tick control services in suburban markets. Rollins/Orkin, Terminix, and regional companies like Rottler Pest & Lawn Solutions serve the Indiana market. The OISC at Purdue University (West Lafayette) administers all pesticide licensing.

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

How much do pest control technicians make in Indiana?

The median wage for pest control technicians in Indiana is $38,600 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $35,290, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $60,920. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Pest Control Technician in Indiana?

Certified Pesticide Applicator License (Category 7B — Structural Pest Control), overseen by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources — Office of Indiana State Chemist (pesticides). Work under a licensed Commercial Pesticide Applicator for the required supervised experience, learning pest identification and treatment protocols. Key Indiana structural pests include German cockroaches, subterranean termites, carpenter ants, and bed bugs.

Is being a Pest Control Technician a good career in Indiana?

Licensed pest control requires physical site assessment, chemical application judgment, and local knowledge that cannot be done remotely.

Which Indiana metros pay pest control technicians the most?

Among Indiana metro areas, Terre Haute leads at $44,470, followed by Evansville ($41,440), Indianapolis ($38,740). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Is Pest Control Technician a growing career in Indiana?

Indiana projects pest control technicians employment to change +5.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 220 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Indiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 37-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources — Office of Indiana State Chemist (pesticides) (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 Indiana wages · Indiana 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.