Pressure Washing Services
The short answer: Pressure washing targets of about $10k a month come from two creators: a Side Hustle Show speaker says it can be done on nights and weekends, and operator Austin Davis plans 19 jobs a month. The catch in pressure washing is over-leveraging on equipment, which Austin calls one of the main reasons people fail. (The Side Hustle Show; Austin Davis) Pressure washing can suit weekend workers, since one operator began on neighbours' homes on weekends. (Chris Koerner)
| Median pay of employed janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners | $17.71/hr ($36,840/yr) BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employee pay, not side-hustle income |
|---|---|
| Reported startup cost | $300–$2,000 2 reports by 2 creators, Jul 2025–Nov 2026 |
| Projected job growth, janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners | +2.2% BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 |
| One creator's reported earnings | $100/hr 2 reports by Chris Koerner, Jan 2025–Feb 2025 |
| One creator's reported part-time earnings | $10,000/month Reported by The Side Hustle Show, Jun 2026 |
From 13 quotes by 3 creators and BLS data. A creator figure is one person's account.
Go deeper: every source on pressure washing services
How much do pressure washers make?
A pressure washing operator named Doug told Chris Koerner he priced jobs at roughly $100 an hour of estimated work. According to the BLS, employed janitors and cleaners, a related occupation, earned a median $17.71 an hour in May 2025. (Chris Koerner; BLS OEWS)
Job size moves the number: a 3,000 foot house is a $400 to $500 job for Rolling Suds. (Chris Koerner)
| Related occupation | Median pay | Middle 80% |
|---|---|---|
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $17.71/hr ($36,840/yr), BLS OEWS, May 2025 | $28,640–$50,270/yr |
Median annual pay of employed janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners: $36,840 nationally; highest and lowest states below (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
| Highest-paying states | Median | Lowest-paying states | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $45,580/yr | Louisiana | $28,930/yr |
| Washington | $45,520/yr | Mississippi | $28,380/yr |
| New York | $41,640/yr | Puerto Rico | $21,890/yr |
What do people doing pressure washing services say?
“back then we need to be around 100 bucks an hour so I just said well how long is it going to take? I think it'll take this much 100 bucks an hour. There's my price so.”
“we need to be around 100 bucks an hour so I just said well how long's it going to take I think it'll take this much 100 bucks an hour there's my price”
“I would knock on doors and you can do 10 grand in a month very easily in your nights and weekends time.”
“everyone with $300 can go to Home Depot, buy a power washer”
What does it cost to start pressure washing?
Pressure washing startup reports run from $300 for a Home Depot power washer, per Koerner, to $800 to 2,000 for a starter setup, per Austin. Austin budgets two to four hundred dollars a month for general liability insurance. (Chris Koerner; Austin Davis)
Doug advises skipping expensive guru rigs for a mid-range commercial unit. (Chris Koerner)
- Form an LLC and a business bank account. (Austin Davis)
- Buy cheap starter equipment in cash.
- Do practice jobs for friends and family to collect photos and reviews.
- Add yard signs, flyers and door-to-door selling.
- Insurance: general liability (Austin Davis)
How long does a pressure washing job take?
A pressure washing crew filmed by Koerner finished a 4,825 square foot home in 22 minutes. Rolling Suds says the 3,000 foot house takes 20 to 25 minutes, including set up and tear down. (Chris Koerner)
One operator on Koerner's show says power washing let him control his own schedule. (Chris Koerner)
Who should start pressure washing?
Pressure washing fits people willing to sell in person, since the Side Hustle Show speaker would knock on doors. Skip it if you avoid face-to-face selling, since Austin's process relies on a meet and greet and questions to find upsells. (The Side Hustle Show; Austin Davis)
Is pressure washing worth it?
Pros
- Danny Cronauer, a former teacher, sold commercial jobs before owning the equipment. (Chris Koerner)
- Doug grew through reviews and word of mouth. (Chris Koerner)
Cons
- Danny's gas station bids carried low margins. (Chris Koerner)
- Rolling Suds counts full-time in the Northeast as 205 days out of the year. (Chris Koerner)
What can go wrong in pressure washing?
Pressure washing labour can eat margin, so Doug advises keeping it under 30% of job cost. Some surfaces need separate treatment, the 22-minute job video shows. (Chris Koerner)
Rolling Suds' average gross revenue per truck of $422,000 comes from trucks operating full-time, not a starter's setup. (Chris Koerner)
What are the alternatives to pressure washing services?
- Window Cleaning Services side hustle: Often covered together (3 shared videos).
- Mobile Coffee Cart side hustle: Also local, over $1,000 to start.
- Photography side hustle: Also can go full-time, own schedule.
- Mobile Car Detailing as a side hustle: Also can go full-time.
- Junk Removal Services: Also can go full-time.
- Tour Guide as a side hustle: Also can go full-time, local.
Part of: Local services
What else should pressure washers know?
How should you handle leads?
Austin says to answer the phone professionally and respond to leads fast. (Austin Davis)
What can a pressure washer add later?
Doug added window cleaning and Christmas lights. (Chris Koerner)
Sources and method
Quotes are verbatim and linked to the moment they were said. A figure from one report is not confirmed by a second source. BLS figures describe employees in the closest related occupation. Every quote, the pay in each state and the full source list are on the every source on pressure washing services.
- The Side Hustle Show, podcast, 29 Jun 2026.
- Austin Davis, YouTube, 2 Nov 2026.
- Chris Koerner, podcast, 22 Jan 2025.
- Chris Koerner, YouTube, 15 May 2024.
- Chris Koerner, podcast, 14 Jul 2025.
- Chris Koerner, YouTube, 28 May 2024.
- Chris Koerner, podcast, 27 Jan 2025.
- Austin Davis, YouTube, 3 Nov 2026.
- Chris Koerner, YouTube, 24 Feb 2025.
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35.
- O*NET 31.0 Database, 31.0.
Other data behind this page (10)
| Fact | Value | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demand trend | stable | Accepted | BLS Employment Projections |
| Full-time or part-time | full time capable | Accepted | Chris Koerner |
| Nearest occupation | Building Cleaning Workers, All Other | Accepted | O*NET 31.0 |
| Ongoing cost | $200–$400/month | Accepted | Austin Davis |
| Price per booking (rolling-suds) | $400–$500 per booking | Accepted | Chris Koerner |
| Scalability | high | Accepted | Chris Koerner |
| Schedule control | own schedule | Accepted | Chris Koerner |
| Work mode | local | Accepted | The Side Hustle Show |
| Startup cost | $300–$2,000 | One report | Austin Davis |
| Common pitfalls | over-leveraging by financing expensive equipment too early | One report | Austin Davis |