Potential earnings
£44,968.61
Pest control officers investigate the presence of pests that are hazardous to public health or cause nuisance, lay traps to capture pests and treat areas of infestation.
Main tasks
- Treats wood for effects of termites, woodworm and other infestations of timber.
- Returns to sites to examine contents of traps laid and the continued presence of reported pests.
- Liaises with environmental health officers, housing officers and other relevant authorities where measures on a large scale are required to remove pests.
- Advises property owners on courses of action to prevent the return of pests.
- Lays traps to capture pests, and fumigates and disinfects areas to remove infestations.
- Visits sites to investigate the presence of rodents, infestations and other pests that may be hazardous to public health.
- Receives reports from public, property owners and authorities regarding the presence of pests and infestations.
Source: Office for National Statistics.
Salary and earnings
Average earnings
£27,652.23
Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).
Skills & knowledge
The top 5 most important skills and knowledge requirements relevant to this career.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
What course level do I need to study?
The level of study required will vary with each job, sector and company. The table below shows the level of study achieved by those currently working in this career choice.
Educational requirements: Level 3 NVQ; A Levels
Source: Office for National Statistics.
| Level of study | Percentage achieved |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | 19% |
| Level 2 | 17% |
| Level 3 | 39% |
| Level 4-5 (Higher Education) | 10% |
| Level 6 (Bachelors) | 8% |
| Level 7 (Masters or equivalent) | 8% |
Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS) data.
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Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.
