example, ranged from a median of $430 in Southern California to $1,000 in both Northern California and the Northeast. Such differences reflect the many variables that influence pricing decisions throughout the industry.

Readers should keep in mind that the figures reported here are selfreported by service professionals and represent a broad range of business models, market conditions, and operating costs. A labor rate that makes sense in one community may be entirely inappropriate in another. Likewise, the highest and lowest prices reported often reflect unusual circumstances, specialty work, or unique local conditions. For that reason, the figures presented in this survey should be viewed as benchmarks rather than pricing recommendations.

Whenever possible, Service Industry News relies on median figures rather than arithmetic averages. The median represents the middle value reported by survey participants, meaning half of respondents reported higher prices and half reported lower prices. In many cases, this provides a more useful picture of prevailing market conditions because it reduces the influence of unusually high or unusually low responses.

No survey can perfectly capture an industry as diverse and fragmented as pool service. Nevertheless, the responses received this year provide valuable insight into how service companies across the country are pricing their labor. Whether you are evaluating your hourly repair rates, considering adjustments to equipment installation charges, or simply curious about how your company compares with others, the following offers a useful look at labor pricing trends throughout the pool and spa service industry in 2026.

Many thanks to all who took part, making it possible for the industry to gain a better understanding of today's regional pricing trends.

Dividing the Nation

Responses to our labor survey came in from 17 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, Texas, Florida, and Arizona.

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

The following is how we broke them down:

Northern California — North of Bakersfield to the Oregon border. We also included Oregon and Washington in this region. Northern California represents 12 percent of the responses we received.

Southern California —Bakers field and points south to the Mexican border. Southern California represents 26 percent of the responses we received.

Southwest —Arizona; Colorado; Nevada; New Mexico; Oklahoma; Texas; and Utah. The Southwest represented 26 percent of the responses we received this year.

Southeast —Alabama;Arkansas; Florida; Georgia; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maryland; Mississippi; North Carolina; South Carolina; Tennessee; Virginia; and West Virginia. The Southeast represented 18 percent of the responses we received this year.

Northeast — Connecticut; Dela ware; Maine; Massachusetts; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New York; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; and Vermont. The Northeast represented 9 percent of the responses we received this year.

Midwest — Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Michigan; Minnesota; Missouri; Montana; Nebraska; North Dakota; Ohio; South Dakota; Wisconsin; and Wyoming. The Midwest represented 9 percent of the responses we received this year.

Services receiving too few responses to produce meaningful comparisons have been omitted.

Northern California

A summary of the services and labor charges for Northern California is as follows: General Hourly Labor — Median $125; High $145; Low $95.