Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation pay in California

In California, the median pay for pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation is $21.67 an hour ($45,070 a year). About 2,260 people work in this job there.

$21.67Median hourly pay

$38,940–$53,400Middle half of workers, yearly

2,260People in this job in California

That is 3% lower than the U.S. median ($46,340). California ranks 29th of 44 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation in California

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$18.36	$38,180
25% of workers	$18.72	$38,940
Half of workers (median)	$21.67	$45,070
75% of workers	$25.68	$53,400
90% of workers	$31.09	$64,680

Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation pay in California metro areas

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont	$54,420	100
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim	$48,140	430
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom	$47,880	100
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara	$47,430	70
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura	$47,100	80
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad	$46,110	0
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario	$46,090	190
Stockton-Lodi	$44,890	60
Salinas	$41,540	220
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara	$41,140	60
Bakersfield-Delano	$40,750	40
Modesto	$40,560	50
Fresno	$39,940	200
Visalia	$38,720	0

California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
Job outlook: +3.9% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 3,300 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in California

Job	Median yearly pay
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse	$35,580
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers	$45,560
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment	$37,920
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators	$81,770
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$52,950
Tree Trimmers and Pruners	$62,550
Agricultural Equipment Operators	$38,820
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners	$55,220

Other job titles for this job

Chemical ApplicatorApplicatorApplicator SprayerCertified Pesticide ApplicatorCrop ApplicatorEradicatorFruit SprayerGarden TechnicianGarden TechHerbicide ApplicatorHerbicide SprayerHydro Spayer Operator

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.