Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation

SOC Code: 37-3012

Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetations mix pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides for application to trees, shrubs, lawns, or botanical crops. This career typically requires moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year). With an AI-proof score of 90.0/100, this role has high resilience to automation. Key skills include Active Listening, Time Management, Critical Thinking.

AI-Proof Score: 90.0 — Very High
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Median Salary

$45,200

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Job Growth

3.8%

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Training Time

Moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year)

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Job Zone

Zone 2 / 5

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Training Cost

~$5,000

Key Skills

  • •Active Listening
  • •Time Management
  • •Critical Thinking
  • •Speaking
  • •Reading Comprehension
  • •Social Perceptiveness
  • •Coordination
  • •Complex Problem Solving

Common Tasks

  • ✓Mix pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides for application to trees, shrubs, lawns, or botanical crops.
  • ✓Fill sprayer tanks with water and chemicals, according to formulas.
  • ✓Lift, push, and swing nozzles, hoses, and tubes to direct spray over designated areas.
  • ✓Identify lawn or plant diseases to determine the appropriate course of treatment.
  • ✓Cover areas to specified depths with pesticides, applying knowledge of weather conditions, droplet sizes, elevation-to-distance ratios, and obstructions.

Why AI-Proof?

  • ✅Requires hands-on physical presence and dexterity
  • ✅Demands human empathy, judgment, and trust
  • ✅Operates in unpredictable, variable environments
  • ✅Social and regulatory barriers to full automation