As of June 2026, Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation has an AI-exposure score of 43/100 (Moderate exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.

AI Exposure Score for

Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation

43/100
Moderate exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 16% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$46,340. About 4,100 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).

Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.

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How you compare to similar Building & Grounds roles

Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation (you)
43
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
41
Pest Control Workers
46
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
36
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
35
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers
54
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Your tasks, by AI exposure

Automatable

No automatable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as durable (100%).

Augmentable

No augmentable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as durable (100%).

Durable
  • Identify lawn or plant diseases to determine the appropriate course of treatment.
  • Mix pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides for application to trees, shrubs, lawns, or botanical crops.
  • Fill sprayer tanks with water and chemicals, according to formulas.
  • Cover areas to specified depths with pesticides, applying knowledge of weather conditions, droplet sizes, elevation-to-distance ratios, and obstructions.
  • Provide driving instructions to truck drivers to ensure complete coverage of designated areas, using hand and horn signals.
  • Clean or service machinery to ensure operating efficiency, using water, gasoline, lubricants, or hand tools.
  • Plant grass with seed spreaders, and operate straw blowers to cover seeded areas with mixtures of asphalt and straw.
  • Start motors and engage machinery, such as sprayer agitators or pumps or portable spray equipment.
  • Connect hoses and nozzles selected according to terrain, distribution pattern requirements, types of infestations, and velocities.
  • Lift, push, and swing nozzles, hoses, and tubes to direct spray over designated areas.

Safer adjacent roles

YOUR ROLE TODAY
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation 43
→
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers 80% overlap36Agricultural Equipment Operators 72% overlap47Pest Control Workers 64% overlap46
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
80% skills overlap · Low exposure · ~US$39,150
36
Agricultural Equipment Operators
72% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$41,730
47
Pest Control Workers
64% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$45,250
46
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
56% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$60,020
61
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
48% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$35,830
44
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$35,660
45
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$48,250
41
Chemical Plant and System Operators
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$78,120
60

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Important: This is an estimate of AI exposure, not a prediction that your job will disappear. It is designed to help you understand how your role may change and improve your career resilience.

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More Building & Grounds roles

First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners Pest Control Workers Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
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