Results tallied from labor price survey

News

June 14, 2022

Responses to our labor survey came in from 26 states. As we have come to expect, responses were heaviest from the areas with the highest number of pools. The top states in order of participation were California, Florida, Arizona and Texas.

For statistical purposes, we divided the country into seven geographic regions, based on their location and the number of responses we received.

The following is the way we broke it down: Northern California — From the Oregon Border south to Bakersfield. Northern California represents 10 percent of the responses we received. We also included Oregon in this region.

Southern California — From the Mexican Border north to Bakersfield. Southern California represents 38 percent of the responses we received.

Southwest — Arizona; Colorado; Nevada; New Mexico; Oklahoma; Texas; and Utah. The Southwest represented 17 percent of the responses we received this year.

Florida —The Service Industry is large enough in this state for it to qualify as a separate region. Florida represents 9 percent of the responses received.

Southeast — Alabama; Arkansas; Georgia; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maryland; Mississippi; North Carolina; South Carolina; Tennessee; Virginia; and West Virginia. The Southeast represents 12 percent of the responses we received this year.

Northeast — Connecticut; Delaware; Maine; Massachusetts; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New York; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; and Vermont. The Northeast represents 7 percent of the total number of responses that we received this year.

Midwest — Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Michigan; Minnesota; Missouri; Montana; Nebraska; North Dakota; Ohio; South Dakota; Wisconsin; and Wyoming. The Midwest represents 7 percent of the responses we received this year.

The average is actually the median Whenever possible, we use the median figure for determining averages. So the “average” price for the various levels of service represents actual prices that someone is charging. Half of the reported pricing is higher than the median, and half is lower.

When responses from a region were considered insufficient to give us an accurate reading, we dropped that region from our pricing survey. And whenever possible, we provide “highs” and “lows” for each level of service, to give you an idea of the ranges of pricing that we were dealing with. When considering dollar amounts, we rounded up or down to the nearest whole dollar. General hourly repair charges are as follows: Northern California — “Average,” $135; High, $225; Low $90.

Southern California — “Average,” $100; High, $175; Low $30.

Southwest — “Average,” $118; High, $170; Low $55.

Florida — “Average,” $100; High, $140; Low $60. Southeast — “Average,” $110; High, $240; Low, $75.

Northeast — “Average,” $160; High, $235; Low, $90.

Midwest — “Average,” $95; High, $125; Low $85.

To make it easier to evaluate business practices, all labor fees are organized by region.

Northern California

Responses from service firms in Northern California provided information on more than 1,600 swimming pools. These pool maintenance companies have a median account size of 100 swimming pools and spas that are serviced each week. Service firms from this area reported that pool finishes tend to be cementitious, 97 percent, with nearly 3 percent of pools made of fiberglass and less than 1 percent vinyl lined.

A summary of the services and labor charges for Northern California is as follows: General Hourly Labor — “Average,” $135; High, $225; Low $90.

Acid Wash — 18 percent of survey participants from this region said they offer acid washes as part of their service package. The “Average” charge for an acid wash: $1,600; High $1,700; Low $1,100.

Pool Painting — Less than 1 percent of the participant in our survey reported that they paint pools. Results for this service were insufficient to be able to include it in this portion of the survey.

Winterizing — For this region of the country, the participants in our survey do not provide this service.

Spring Openings — For this region of the country, the participants in our survey do not provide this service.

New Pool Startup — 82 percent of survey participants from this region reported offering pool startup as part of their service package. The “Average” charge to start up a pool: $800; High $1,185; Low $350.

For this next portion of the survey, we asked our readers to tell us how much they charge — in labor fees only — to do the following tasks: replace a pump motor; replace a pump; install a heater; install an automatic cleaner; install a salt water chlorine generator; and replace a vinyl liner.

Pump Motor Replacement— “Average” $275; High, $600; Low, $120.

Pump Replacement— “Average” $450, High, $750; Low, $180.

Heater Installation— “Average” $550, High, $1,000; Low, $450.

Cleaner Installation— “Average” $75, High, $145; Low, $0.

Salt System— “Average” $390, High, $500; Low, $135.

Vinyl Liner Replacement — Results on liners were insufficient from the region to be able to include it in this portion of the survey.

Southern California

Beginning at the border between San Diego and Mexico, continuing north to Bakersfield, Southern California makes up a huge share of the pool industry. Within Los Angeles County alone, the latest estimate is that the region contains 250,000 swimming pools, high by any measure.

Survey participation from Southern California accounted for 38 percent of all responses received.

Responses from service firms in Southern California provided information on nearly 7,000 total swimming pools. These pool maintenance companies have a median account size of 92 swimming pools that are serviced each week.

Service firms from this area reported that pool finishes tend to be cementitious, 95 percent, with about 4 percent of pools made of fiberglass and 1 percent vinyl lined.

A summary of the seasonal tasks and labor charges is as follows: General Hourly Labor — “Average,” $100; High, $175; Low $30.

Acid Wash — 33 percent of survey participants from this region reported offering acid washes as part of their service package. The “Average” charge for an acid wash: $900; High $1,500; Low $500.

Winterizing — For this region of the country, the participants in our survey do not provide this service.

Spring Openings — For this region of the country, the participants in our survey do not provide this service.

New Pool Startup — 77 percent of survey participants from this region said they offer pool startup as part of their service package. The “Average” charge to start up a pool: $500; High $900; Low $375.

Pump Motor Replacement — “Average” $221; High, $500; Low, $120.

Pump Replacement — “Average” $300; High, $800; Low, $120.

Heater Installation — “Average” $550; High, $1,200; Low, $350.

Cleaner Installation — “Average” $75; High, $650; Low, $0.

Salt System Installation — “Average” $325; High, $750; Low, $150.

Vinyl Liner Replacement — Results on liners were insufficient from the region to be able to include it in this portion of the survey.

Southwest

The Southwest includes the states: Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah, and service technicians from these states made up 17 percent of those responding to our survey.

Respondents of “average” sized service firms in the Southwest provided information on nearly 4,000 total swimming pools. These pool maintenance companies have a median account size of 90 swimming pools that are serviced each week. Service firms from this area reported that pool finishes tend to be cementitious, 96 percent, with about 2 percent of pools made of fiberglass and 2 percent vinyl lined.

The full breakdown of the responses received concerning seasonal jobs and labor charges is as follows: General Hourly Labor — “Average,” $118; High, $170; Low $55.

Acid Wash — 89 percent of survey participants from this region reported offering acid washes as part of their service package. The “Average” charge for an acid wash: $575; High $1,500; Low $250.

Winterizing — 16 percent of survey participants from this region said they offer winterizing as part of their service package. The “Average” charge to winterize a pool: $475; High 550; Low $175.

Spring Openings — 28 percent of survey participants from this region said they offer spring openings as part of their service package. The “Average” charge to open a pool in the spring: $388; High $2,500; Low $200.

New Pool Startup — 44 percent of survey participants reported offering pool startup as part of their service package. The “Average” charge for a startup: $488; High $3,200; Low $250.

Pump Motor Replacement — “Average” $185; High, $418; Low, $100.

Pump Replacement — “Average” $307; High, $1,200; Low, $190.

Heater Installation— “Average” $450; High, $1,000; Low, $235.

Cleaner Installation — “Average” $94; High, $450; Low, $0.

Salt System Installation — “Average” $275; High, $600; Low, $250.

Vinyl Liner Replacement — “Average” $4,500; High, $6,000; Low, $3,000.

Florida

Florida captures a huge share of the pool industry and is thus treated as its own region, accounting for 9 percent of those responding to the survey.

Survey responses from service firms in Florida provided information on nearly 2,000 swimming pools. Service firms from this area reported that pool finishes tend to be cementitious, 96 percent, with 2 percent of pools made of fiberglass 1 percent vinyl lined.

The full breakdown of the seasonal services and labor charges is as follows: General Hourly Labor — “Average,” $100; High, $140; Low $60.

Acid Wash — 50 percent of survey participants from this region said they offer acid washes as part of their service package. The “Average” charge for an acid wash: $1,150; High $1,300; Low $500.

Pool Painting — less than 1 percent of survey participants from this region said they offer pool painting as part of their service package. The data was insufficient to report an average charge.

Winterizing —Participants in our survey do not provide data for this service.

Spring Openings — Participants in our survey do not provide data for this service.

Pool Startup — 70 percent of survey participants from this region reported offering pool startup as part of their service package.

The “Average” charge to start up a pool: $588; High $1,800; Low $100.

Pump Motor Replacement — “Average” $240; High, $550; Low, $125.

Pump Replacement — “Average” $228; High, $400; Low, $135.

Heater Installation — “Average” $530; High, $800; Low, $285.

Cleaner Installation — “Average” $168; High, $600; Low, $60.

Salt System Installation — “Average”$400;High,$800;Low,$75.

Vinyl Liner Replacement — Results on liners were insufficient from the region to be able to include it in this portion of the survey. Southeast Northeast

The Southeast region of the country represents 12 percent of those responding to our survey.

Survey responses from service firms in Southeast provided information on nearly 2,000 total swimming pools. Service firms from this area reported that they see a greater variety of pool surfaces than in other areas of the country. Roughly 53 percent of the pools serviced are cementitious, with about 11 percent of pools made of fiberglass and 36 percent vinyl lined.

Due to the seasonal weather variation experienced in these areas, survey respondents from the Southeast reported among the highest incidence of additional services such as winterizing, spring openings, and vinyl liner replacement.

The full breakdown of seasonal services and labor charges is as follows: General Hourly Labor — “Average,” $110; High, $240; Low, $75.

Acid Wash — 53 percent of survey participants from this region reported offering acid washes as part of their service package. The “Average” charge for an acid wash: $625; High, $1,400; Low, $500.

Pool Painting — less than 1 percent of survey participants from this region said they offer pool painting as part of their service package. The data was insufficient to report an average charge.

Winterizing — 85 percent of survey participants from this region said they offer winterizing as part of their service package. The “Average” charge to winterize a pool: $350; High, $495; Low, $220.

Spring Openings — 85 percent of survey participants from this region said they offer spring openings as part of their service package. The “Average” charge to open a pool in the spring: $350; High, $660; Low, $220.

Pool Startup — 62 percent of survey participants from this region reported offering pool startup as part of their service package. The “Average” charge to start up a pool: $750; High $3,300; Low $145.

Pump Motor Replacement — “Average” $330; High, $650; Low, $175.

Pump Replacement — “Average” $430; High, $1,000; Low, $250.

Heater Installation — “Average” $1,000; High, $1,266; Low, $375.

Cleaner Installation— “Average” $153; High, $250; Low, $110.

Salt System Installation— “Average” $335; High, $500; Low, $250.

The Northeast area represents 7 percent of those responding to our survey.

Survey responses from service firms in Northeast provided information on over 1,500 total swimming pools. Service firms from this area reported that 86 percent of the pool finishes they see are vinyl lined, while 11 percent are cementitious, and 3 percent are fiberglass.

Northeast service professionals spend a lot of time readying pools for freezing conditions and winter storms and then opening the pools up in the spring for the swimming season. A full 100 percent of those responding to the survey reported pricing for these services.

The full breakdown of seasonal services and labor charges is as follows: General Hourly Labor — “Average,” $160; High, $235; Low, $90.

Acid Wash — 29 percent of survey participants from this region reported offering acid washes as part of their

Vinyl Liner Replacement — “Average” $5,000; High, $7,500; Low, $1,300. service package. The “Average” charge for an acid wash: $1,225.

Pool Painting — less than 1 percent of survey participants from this region said they offer pool painting as part of their service package. The data was insufficient to report an average charge.

Winterizing — 100 percent of survey participants from this region said they offer winterizing as part of their service package. The “Average” charge to winterize a pool: $375; High, $450; Low, $275.

Spring Openings — 100 percent of survey participants from this region said they offer spring openings as part of their service package. The “Average” charge to open a pool in the spring: $375; High, $450; Low, $275.

Pool Startup — 28 percent of survey participants from this region said they offer pool painting as part of their service package. The “Average” charge to start up a pool: $375; High, $600; Low, $150.

Pump Motor Replacement — “Average” $335; High, $504; Low, $125.

Pump Replacement — “Average” $318; High, $600; Low, $150.

Heater Installation — “Average” $438; High, $820; Low, $325.

Cleaner Installation — The data was insufficient to report an average charge.

Salt System Installation — “Average” $458; High, $666; Low, $250.

Vinyl Liner Replacement — “Average” $4,750; High, $6,000; Low, $4,500.

Midwest

The Midwest region of the country represents 7 percent of those responding to our survey.

Survey responses from service firms in the Midwest provided information on more than 1,000 swimming pools. Service firms from this area reported that pool finishes tend to be vinyl lined, 46 percent, with about 42 percent of pools made of cementitious material and 11 percent fiberglass.

The full breakdown of seasonal services and labor charges is as follows: General Hourly Labor — “Average,” $95; High, $125; Low $85.

Acid Wash — 28 percent of survey participants from this region reported offering acid washes as part of their service package. The “Average” charge for an acid wash: $2,000.

Pool Painting — less than 1 percent of survey participants from this region said they offer pool painting as part of their service package. The data was insufficient to report an average charge.

Winterizing— 100 percent of survey participants from this region said they offer winterizing as part of their service package. The “Average” charge to winterize a pool: $345; High, $600; Low, $285.

New Pool Startup — 57 percent of survey participants from this region said they offer new pool startups as part of their service package. The “Average” charge to startup a new pool: $922; High, $1,500; Low, $400.

Pump Motor Replacement — “Average” $238; High, $308; Low, $125.

Pump Replacement — “Average” $270; High, $356; Low, $213.

Heater Installation — “Average” $500; High, $600; Low, $380.

Cleaner Installation — “Average” $110; High, $125; Low, $95.

Salt System Installation — “Average” $308; High, $406; Low, $250.

Vinyl Liner Replacement — Average” $4,750; High, $6,500; Low, $1,080.