Career comparison
Landscaper vs. Pesticide Applicator
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Pesticide applicators earn more at the median ($46,340 vs. $39,150), while landscapers usually get to work faster (1–4 weeks of training). Landscapers plant, mow, trim and care for lawns, gardens and outdoor spaces. Pesticide applicators apply fertilizers and pesticides safely to lawns, crops and rights-of-way.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Landscaper | Pesticide Applicator | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $39,150 ($18.82/hr) | $46,340 ($22.28/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $31,150 – $56,730 | $35,570 – $61,420 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.7% (about as fast as average) | +3.9% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 149,500 | 3,300 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 1–4 weeks | 1–3 months + license exam |
| Key credential | NALP Landscape Industry Certified Technician | State commercial applicator license |
| Work setting | Landscapers work outdoors in heat, cold and rain, using power equipment and lifting heavy materials.. | Applicators work outdoors in neighborhoods, fields, golf courses and along roads, wearing protective equipment.. |
What each job does
Landscaper
- Mow, edge and trim lawns
- Plant trees, shrubs and flowers
- Spread mulch and install sod
- Prune shrubs and small trees
- Install and repair irrigation
Pesticide Applicator
- Identify weeds, insects and diseases
- Select and mix products
- Calibrate spray and spreader equipment
- Apply treatments safely
- Keep application records
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors and hands-on work. Both are part of the agriculture, landscaping & animal care field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose landscaper if…
- I love being outdoors
- I don’t mind hard work
- I want to start right away
Choose pesticide applicator if…
- I like working outdoors
- I follow instructions carefully
- I like independent route work
Still torn? Take the Landscaper fit quiz and the Pesticide Applicator fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, landscaper or pesticide applicator?
Pesticide Applicators earn more at the median: $46,340 versus $39,150 for landscapers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Landscapers typically train faster (1–4 weeks) than pesticide applicators (1–3 months + license exam).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects landscapers to grow +4.7% from 2025–35, compared with +3.9% for pesticide applicators.