Best States for Pest Control Applicators to Start a Home Business
We ranked all 51 states based on licensing requirements, earning potential, LLC costs, and tax burden. Here are the best (and worst) states for pest control applicators.
0 states don't require a license · National median: N/A · Updated 2025
▲ Top 5 Best States
Full Ranking: All 51 States
| # | State | License | Fee | Median Wage | LLC Cost | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montana | Yes | $85 | $21.55/hr | $35 | 83 |
| 2 | Alaska | Yes | $25 | $23.05/hr | $250 | 80 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | Yes | $45 | $22.43/hr | $150 | 80 |
| 4 | South Dakota | Yes | $35 | $18.68/hr | $150 | 80 |
| 5 | Idaho | Yes | $80 | $20.51/hr | $100 | 79 |
| 6 | Indiana | Yes | $90 | $22.66/hr | $100 | 79 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | Yes | $75 | $23.44/hr | $100 | 79 |
| 8 | Ohio | Yes | $70 | $20.88/hr | $99 | 79 |
| 9 | West Virginia | Yes | $100 | $18.24/hr | $100 | 79 |
| 10 | Kentucky | Yes | $250 | $18.39/hr | $40 | 78 |
| 11 | Michigan | Yes | $285 | $21.79/hr | $50 | 78 |
| 12 | Mississippi | Yes | — | $18.09/hr | $50 | 78 |
| 13 | Missouri | Yes | $155 | $18.54/hr | $50 | 78 |
| 14 | Iowa | Yes | $100 | $17.55/hr | $50 | 76 |
| 15 | North Dakota | Yes | $100 | $23.48/hr | $135 | 75 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | Yes | $135 | $21.78/hr | $125 | 75 |
| 17 | Vermont | Yes | $105 | $22.25/hr | $125 | 75 |
| 18 | Wisconsin | Yes | $145 | $23.26/hr | $130 | 75 |
| 19 | Georgia | Yes | $190 | $20.97/hr | $100 | 74 |
| 20 | Louisiana | Yes | $210 | $20.00/hr | $100 | 74 |
| 21 | Maryland | Yes | $225 | $21.06/hr | $100 | 74 |
| 22 | Oregon | Yes | $206 | $20.64/hr | $100 | 74 |
| 23 | Utah | Yes | $175 | $20.41/hr | $54 | 74 |
| 24 | Virginia | Yes | $250 | $21.24/hr | $100 | 74 |
| 25 | Wyoming | Yes | $25 | $17.80/hr | $102 | 73 |
| 26 | New Mexico | Yes | $185 | $17.47/hr | $50 | 71 |
| 27 | Kansas | Yes | $230 | $21.81/hr | $165 | 70 |
| 28 | Maine | Yes | $175 | $24.01/hr | $175 | 70 |
| 29 | California | Yes | $436 | $21.81/hr | $70 | 69 |
| 30 | Arizona | Yes | $625 | $18.73/hr | $50 | 68 |
| 31 | Colorado | Yes | $513 | $24.26/hr | $50 | 68 |
| 32 | Nebraska | Yes | $90 | $17.83/hr | $110 | 68 |
| 33 | Alabama | Yes | $395 | $19.24/hr | $200 | 65 |
| 34 | Connecticut | Yes | $221 | $22.52/hr | $120 | 65 |
| 35 | Illinois | Yes | $375 | $22.27/hr | $150 | 65 |
| 36 | Minnesota | Yes | $400 | $22.03/hr | $155 | 65 |
| 37 | North Carolina | Yes | $350 | $18.05/hr | $125 | 65 |
| 38 | South Carolina | Yes | $375 | $18.25/hr | $110 | 65 |
| 39 | Washington | Yes | $275 | $24.13/hr | $200 | 65 |
| 40 | Hawaii | Yes | $530 | $23.28/hr | $51 | 64 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | Yes | $385 | $17.73/hr | $100 | 62 |
| 42 | Arkansas | Yes | $380 | $17.91/hr | $50 | 61 |
| 43 | Delaware | Yes | $105 | — | $110 | 60 |
| 44 | Florida | Yes | $610 | $22.02/hr | $125 | 60 |
| 45 | New Jersey | Yes | $460 | $22.29/hr | $125 | 60 |
| 46 | New York | Yes | $2000 | $23.31/hr | $200 | 60 |
| 47 | Tennessee | Yes | $440 | $21.09/hr | $300 | 60 |
| 48 | Massachusetts | Yes | $500 | $22.02/hr | $500 | 55 |
| 49 | Nevada | Yes | $550 | $21.31/hr | $425 | 55 |
| 50 | Texas | Yes | $742 | $20.90/hr | $300 | 55 |
| 51 | District of Columbia | Yes | $413 | — | $99 | 49 |
▼ 5 Most Challenging States
District of Columbia
Fee: $41349
Texas
Fee: $742$20.90/hr55
Nevada
Fee: $550$21.31/hr55
Massachusetts
Fee: $500$22.02/hr55
Tennessee
Fee: $440$21.09/hr60
How We Scored Each State
Each state starts with a base score of 50, then we add or subtract points based on:
- No license required: +20 points (biggest single factor — lower barriers to entry)
- License fee: −10 for fees over $500, −5 for over $300, +10 for under $50
- Wages above national median: Up to +15 points for states paying 20%+ above national median
- LLC formation cost: +8 for states under $50, −5 for states over $300
- No sales tax on services: +5 points
Data sources: Institute for Justice License to Work 3 (licensing), BLS OEWS May 2024 (wages), state Secretary of State offices (LLC costs). This ranking reflects factors relevant to home-based operators — commercial location costs, local zoning, and cost of living are not included.
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