Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
Mix or apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides through sprays, dusts, vapors, soil incorporation, or chemical application on trees, shrubs, lawns, or botanical crops. Usually requires specific training and State or Federal certification.
How AI Impacts Each Task
12 tasks analyzed
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.
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.
Clean or service machinery to ensure operating efficiency, using water, gasoline, lubricants, or hand tools.
Provide driving instructions to truck drivers to ensure complete coverage of designated areas, using hand and horn signals.
Plant grass with seed spreaders and operate straw blowers to cover seeded areas with mixtures of asphalt and straw.
Establish driving routes for pesticide applications.
Record information about pesticide applications, such as the type used and amount applied.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mix pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides for application to trees, shrubs, lawns, or botanical crops. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 10% | |
| Fill sprayer tanks with water and chemicals, according to formulas. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 10% | |
| Lift, push, and swing nozzles, hoses, and tubes to direct spray over designated areas. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 20% | |
| Identify lawn or plant diseases to determine the appropriate course of treatment. | 80Estimated | 59.0% | 8% | |
| Cover areas to specified depths with pesticides, applying knowledge of weather conditions, droplet sizes, elevation-to-distance ratios, and obstructions. | 40Estimated | 25.0% | 15% | |
| Start motors and engage machinery, such as sprayer agitators or pumps or portable spray equipment. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Connect hoses and nozzles selected according to terrain, distribution pattern requirements, types of infestations, and velocities. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 5% | |
| Clean or service machinery to ensure operating efficiency, using water, gasoline, lubricants, or hand tools. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 8% | |
| Provide driving instructions to truck drivers to ensure complete coverage of designated areas, using hand and horn signals. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 5% | |
| Plant grass with seed spreaders and operate straw blowers to cover seeded areas with mixtures of asphalt and straw. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 5% | |
| Establish driving routes for pesticide applications. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 4% | |
| Record information about pesticide applications, such as the type used and amount applied. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 5% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis