Pressure washing is always in demand. But how much do pressure washing businesses make? According to our survey of 1,000 small business owners, pressure washers made between $25,000 to $50,000 in 2021 (slightly lower than the industry average from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Average Pressure Washer Salary1
| Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|
| $29,420 | $44,520 | $62,393 |
Whether you’re considering starting your own pressure washing business or hoping to make yours more profitable, we share the latest figures on pressure washer salaries and offer advice for maximizing your earnings.
How much do pressure washer businesses make per day?
The average salary for pressure washers is $44,520 per year, which translates to $21.40 per hour. The top 10% of pressure washers earn as much as $62,393 per year or around $30 per hour.2
Where do pressure washer businesses make the most money?
According to ZipRecruiter, the three top paying states for pressure washers include:3
- Massachusetts
- Hawaii
- Connecticut
The top-paying cities for pressure waters include:4
- Sunnyvale, CA
- Santa Rosa, CA
- Cambridge, MA
- Vacaville, CA
- New York, NY
How much revenue can pressure washing businesses make?
Two-thirds of the pressure washing businesses we surveyed reported up to $50,000 in annual gross revenue, while one-third reported annual gross revenues as high as $100,000 to $200,000. All of the power washing pros we surveyed felt very optimistic heading into 2022, with all expecting their annual gross revenue to increase between 10% to 50% this year.
More good news: Over 70% of the pressure washers said their earning power today was significantly better now than it was before starting their own business.
What do pressure washing pros do?
Pressure washers use specialized equipment to clean outdoor services. They can use a pressure washer or a power washer (which uses heated water in addition to the high pressure of a pressure washer). Pressure washers may be hired by homeowners, remodelers, general contractors, and commercial and residential property owners.
Given the demand for pressure washing, the business owners we surveyed said that running their own businesses offers more stability and freedom than working in the traditional workforce. Self-employed pressure washers can choose the clients they work with and how far they want to travel to worksites. As one power washer told us, “I am making a lot of money, and I have more time.”
How to increase your salary as a pressure washer
There are several ways pressure washers can increase their earnings in 2022. For example:
- Grow your team: You can only power wash so many surfaces when you’re working on your own. By growing your team, you can grow your client base and your revenue. Every one of the power washing businesses we surveyed that reported revenues higher than $50,000 had at least one or more people working for them.
- Review your pricing: Pressure washers may charge by the hour, square footage, or a flat rate. Review your pricing and see if you are charging optimal rates to ensure profitability. Remember to factor in the cost of commuting to the job and fuel.
- Land long-term contracts: Many pressure washing gigs are one-off projects. To ensure you have continuous work coming in, work to secure long-term contracts with commercial businesses and other contractors. With these projects, you can decide on a set rate for the month or year, and schedule regular pressure washing appointments.
How much does it cost to run a pressure washing business?
There are several costs to consider when starting a pressure washing business. When drafting your business budget, be sure to factor in the following:
- Business equipment: In addition to a few pressure and power washers, you’ll also need to purchase accessories like mops and brooms, as well as supplies such as gloves and soap.
- Transportation: As a power washer, you travel to clients’ homes and businesses for your work. You’ll need a reliable mode of transportation, like a commercial van, that can get you and your equipment there.
- Storage space: Some pressure washing pros opt to rent storage space for their vehicles and work equipment. This can be particularly helpful if you can’t park a commercial van where you live.
- Licenses and permits: Look into the business license requirements for your city and state. You may also need to secure permits to operate or park a commercial vehicle.
- Marketing: When it comes to scaling a pressure washing business, a little marketing goes a long way. Invest in business cards and flyers you can leave with clients after you complete a job. Ask satisfied clients to review you on Google, Yelp, Thumbtack, and HomeAdvisor.
- Insurance: Whenever you’re dealing with powerful equipment like a pressure washer, there’s an element of risk. Purchase Pressure Washing Insurance to protect your business from the impact of third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury. You’ll also want to look into commercial auto insurance for your work vehicle and Business Equipment Protection for the equipment that you take on the job.
Power up your salary in 2022
Power washing is a powerful business. Pressure washers can increase their earnings in 2022 by scaling their team, increasing their rates, and landing long-term contracts. Flexible, comprehensive liability coverage from Thimble’s Pressure Washing Insurance can wash away your worries.
You can get insurance by the job, month or year, so you only pay for insurance when you work — and never when you don’t. Get your policy in minutes and get back to growing your high-powered career. (Literally, you can get a policy on the Thimble app while holding your phone in one hand and the pressure washer in the other.)
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