The short answer, as of November 2026: pest control is a large, steady industry made up mostly of small companies. The U.S. had 16,535 pest control establishments in 2023, and 57% of them had fewer than five employees. Industry employment was 156,100 in September 2026, about a third higher than ten years earlier. The largest public operator, Rollins, grew revenue 6.2% in its most recent quarter and keeps buying companies.
For an owner, the numbers point one way: buyers are active, and they pay for revenue that renews.
Most industry statistics you will find online come from vendors or press releases with no source behind them. Every figure on this page comes from a federal statistical agency or a company's own financial report, with the period it covers. Where a figure is preliminary or covers one company only, we say so.
How big is the U.S. pest control industry?
The Census Bureau counted 16,535 pest control establishments in 2023, the latest year of its County Business Patterns data. Together they employed 139,150 people in mid-March 2023 and paid $7.44 billion in annual payroll.
These figures cover the "exterminating and pest control services" industry (NAICS 561710). An establishment is a single business location, so a company with three branches counts three times. The count of companies is lower than the count of establishments.
How many pest control companies are small?
Most of them. Of those 16,535 establishments:
- 9,415 (57%) had fewer than 5 employees.
- 14,623 (88%) had fewer than 20 employees.
- 59 had 100 or more employees.
A market made of thousands of small, local operators is exactly what makes consolidation possible. National and regional companies, and the private equity platforms behind many of them, grow by buying these companies one territory at a time. Our guide to private equity roll-ups in pest control explains how that buying works and what it means for an owner.
Is pest control employment still growing?
Over ten years, yes. Over the last year, it has held steady. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that exterminating and pest control services employed 156,100 people in September 2026 (a preliminary figure). That compares with 116,900 in September 2016, an increase of about 34%, and 157,000 in September 2025, so roughly flat over the past year.
Flat employment is not the same as a flat market. Jobs count people, not revenue or customers. Treat it as one signal, not a verdict.
How seasonal is pest control work?
Seasonal enough to show up in national numbers. In 2026, industry employment ran from a low of 151,400 in February to a high of 160,700 in July, a swing of about 9,300 jobs, or 6%.
For a seller, this is why buyers compare full years and the same months across several years, rather than annualizing a strong summer. Our guide to how seasonality affects pest control business valuation shows how to present it.
What do pest control technicians earn?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there were 102,620 pest control workers in the U.S. in May 2025, with a median annual wage of $45,250 and a mean of $46,400. These are national figures for the occupation across all industries, and pay varies widely by state and market.
Why it matters in a sale: technician pay is a major cost behind every route. A buyer will compare your wage levels and turnover with the local market, and ask whether your margins depend on pay that is hard to sustain.
What are the largest public pest control companies reporting?
Rollins, the parent of Orkin and many other brands, reports detailed results every quarter. Its numbers cover one large company, not the whole industry, but they show where demand is moving. For the third quarter of 2026, ended September 30, Rollins reported:
| Measure | Q3 2026 vs. Q3 2025 | Organic growth (excluding recent acquisitions) |
|---|---|---|
| Total revenue | $1.1 billion, up 6.2% | Up 4.4% |
| Residential | Up 4.9% | Up 2.3% |
| Commercial | Up 7.7% | Up 6.6% |
| Termite and ancillary | Up 6.5% | Up 5.3% |
Three points stand out for owners. Commercial and termite work grew faster than residential. The company said residential customer acquisition "remained under pressure." And it invested $27 million in acquisitions in the quarter while naming "accretive M&A" as a continuing priority for its capital.
What do these numbers mean if you plan to sell?
- Buyers are still buying. A fragmented market and acquisitive large operators mean a well-run local company can have more than one kind of potential buyer.
- Recurring revenue carries the price. When winning new residential customers gets harder, a book of customers who renew on their own becomes more valuable to a buyer.
- Commercial and termite lines get attention. They are growing faster at the largest operator, so buyers will look closely at the contracts and records behind yours.
- People are part of the value. Technicians who stay through a sale are an asset a buyer cannot easily replace.
Industry numbers describe the market, not your company. Your own earnings, renewals, routes and people decide what a buyer will pay. A free pest control business valuation starts there.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pest control companies are there in the U.S.?
The Census Bureau counted 16,535 pest control establishments in 2023. An establishment is one business location, so the number of companies is somewhat lower because some companies run several branches.
How many people work in pest control?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 156,100 people worked in exterminating and pest control services in September 2026, a preliminary figure. Of the people in the pest control worker occupation, BLS counted 102,620 in May 2025.
Is the pest control industry growing?
Over the last decade, yes: industry employment is about 34% higher than in September 2016. Over the past year it has been roughly flat. Rollins, the largest public operator, grew revenue 6.2% in the third quarter of 2026, including acquisitions.
What is the average pay for a pest control technician?
The median annual wage for pest control workers was $45,250 in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay varies by state, market and role.
Are pest control companies still being acquired?
Yes. Rollins, for example, invested $27 million in acquisitions in the third quarter of 2026 and names acquisitions as a continuing priority. Private equity backed platforms are another common type of buyer.
Sources, all read November 7, 2026: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023, NAICS 561710, U.S. totals; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics, series CEU6056171001 (not seasonally adjusted; September 2026 is preliminary and may be revised); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, pest control workers (SOC 37-2021), May 2025; Rollins, Inc., third quarter 2026 results, October 21, 2026 (unaudited).