Pest Control Technician in Mississippi: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Licensed local services
Mississippi employs 960 pest control technicians, with a statewide median of $37,200 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Mississippi licensing picture, and where to train.
What Pest control technicians Earn in Mississippi (May 2025)
- Mississippi median pay
- $37,200 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $28,700
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $46,660
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $53,890
- Employed in Mississippi
- 960
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $43,610 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for pest control technicians in major Mississippi markets:
- Memphis
- $39,860 (650 employed)
- Gulfport
- $38,060 (180 employed)
- Jackson
- $37,730 (180 employed)
- Hattiesburg
- $33,180 (70 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Mississippi
Prices in Mississippi run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $37,200 median stretches to roughly $42,759 in national buying-power terms.
Mississippi License and Certification Requirements
Commercial Pesticide Applicator / Pest Control license — regulated by the Mississippi Dept. of Agriculture & Commerce — Bureau of Plant Industry.
- No experience required — study the core plus your category (e.g., structural pest control).
- Pass the Bureau of Plant Industry certification exams.
- Obtain the applicator credential and work under a licensed business; renew on the state's cycle.
Official requirements: Mississippi Dept. of Agriculture & Commerce — Bureau of Plant Industry →
Training in Mississippi
Quick to enter and steady year-round (termites are common in Mississippi). Many techs start with a company that sponsors training, then move toward a business license.
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 Mississippi?
The median wage for pest control technicians in Mississippi is $37,200 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $28,700, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $53,890. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Pest Control Technician in Mississippi?
Commercial Pesticide Applicator / Pest Control license, overseen by the Mississippi Dept. of Agriculture & Commerce — Bureau of Plant Industry. No experience required — study the core plus your category (e.g., structural pest control).
Is being a Pest Control Technician a good career in Mississippi?
Licensed pest control requires physical site assessment, chemical application judgment, and local knowledge that cannot be done remotely.
Which Mississippi metros pay pest control technicians the most?
Among Mississippi metro areas, Memphis leads at $39,860, followed by Gulfport ($38,060), Jackson ($37,730). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Mississippi statewide and metro estimates for SOC 37-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Mississippi Dept. of Agriculture & Commerce — Bureau of Plant Industry (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 Mississippi wages · Mississippi licensing/certification source
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.