Pool Service Pricing Map
Tap any state to see what pool service professionals charge. Darker colors = higher rates.
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Prefer a dropdown? Use our simple lookup toolPool Service Pricing by State: What the Data Really Shows
What should you charge for pool service? It's the question every pool professional wrestles with—and the answer varies wildly depending on where you operate. A pool service that commands $200/month in Phoenix might struggle to get $120 in rural Georgia. This map reveals exactly what pool service companies are actually charging across all 50 states, based on data from over 30,000 professionals managing 700,000+ pools.
Understanding market rates isn't just about knowing your competition—it's about understanding the economics of your local pool service market. Whether you're setting prices for a new business, evaluating whether to expand into a new territory, or figuring out if you're leaving money on the table, this data gives you the complete picture.
The Four Pricing Models Explained
Pool service pricing in the United States follows four primary models. Each has distinct advantages depending on your market, customer base, and business strategy.
Monthly + Chemicals ($130-180 national average): The most common model for residential service. Customers pay a flat monthly fee that covers weekly visits and all chemicals needed to maintain the pool. This model provides predictable revenue and simplifies billing, but requires accurate cost estimation to maintain profitability on high-chemical-demand pools.
Monthly Only ($100-150 national average): Service labor without chemicals. The customer either provides their own chemicals or pays for them separately. This model reduces your risk on problem pools but requires more complex billing and can lead to disputes over chemical usage.
Per-Stop + Chemicals ($40-65 national average): Payment per visit including chemicals. Common for commercial accounts, bi-weekly residential service, or markets where per-stop billing is the norm (particularly Texas and parts of the Southwest). Provides flexibility but creates variable monthly revenue.
Per-Stop Only ($30-55 national average): Labor charge per visit without chemicals. The most transparent pricing model, often used for commercial accounts or customers who prefer to see exact costs. Requires careful tracking but eliminates chemical cost risk.
Why Location Matters More Than You Think
Pool service isn't a national market—it's thousands of hyperlocal markets, each with distinct economics. A zip code in Scottsdale operates completely differently than one in Minneapolis, and pricing reflects these differences.
Sun Belt Markets: Year-Round Demand, Premium Pricing
Florida, California, Arizona, Texas, and Nevada represent the largest pool service markets in the country. These states benefit from year-round pool usage, creating consistent 12-month revenue streams. Despite intense competition, prices remain strong because demand is equally intense. A pool service company in Phoenix can realistically service 8-10 pools per day, 5 days per week, 52 weeks per year.
The highest rates within Sun Belt states cluster in affluent areas: Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, La Jolla, Coral Gables, and similar neighborhoods where pool owners expect premium service and are willing to pay for it. A $250/month pool service is unremarkable in these areas.
Seasonal Markets: Higher Monthly Rates, Shorter Windows
Pool service professionals in seasonal markets (Midwest, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic) face a fundamental economic challenge: earning a year's income in 5-7 months of active service. This drives higher monthly rates during the operating season.
A pool service in Ohio charging $150/month for May-September (5 months) generates $750 per pool annually. A Florida service charging $130/month year-round generates $1,560 per pool annually. The seasonal business needs twice as many pools—or significantly higher monthly rates—to achieve equivalent income.
Many seasonal operators supplement pool service income with winterization services ($200-400 per pool), spring opening services ($200-350), and off-season work like holiday lighting installation or snow removal.
Emerging Markets: Opportunity and Challenge
States like Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina represent rapidly growing pool markets. New construction is strong, existing pool owners are increasingly hiring professional service rather than DIY maintenance, and competition hasn't yet saturated the market.
These emerging markets offer opportunity but require careful pricing strategy. Rate too high and you lose bids to established competitors or DIY-minded customers. Rate too low and you undervalue the market, making it harder to raise prices later.
What Drives the Price Ranges Within Each State
Every state shows a significant spread between low and high average pricing. Understanding what drives this range helps you position your business appropriately.
Pool Type and Size: A 10,000-gallon residential pool requires different service than a 50,000-gallon commercial pool. Larger pools consume more chemicals, take longer to service, and command higher prices. Commercial pools also require additional compliance, documentation, and liability coverage.
Service Frequency: Weekly service is standard, but some pools require twice-weekly visits (high-use pools, pools with persistent issues) or accept bi-weekly service (low-use pools, budget-conscious customers). Service frequency directly affects monthly pricing.
Neighborhood Economics: A $350,000 home in a middle-class suburb has different service expectations than a $2 million home in a gated community. Premium neighborhoods expect (and pay for) premium service: same technician every visit, service reports with photos, rapid response to issues, immaculate appearance standards.
Route Efficiency: Service companies with dense routes (10+ pools within a 2-mile radius) have lower per-pool costs than companies servicing scattered accounts. This efficiency advantage allows dense-route operators to either charge lower prices while maintaining margins, or charge market rates with superior profitability.
The Chemical Markup: Hidden Revenue or Hidden Risk?
Compare "with chemicals" and "without chemicals" pricing for any state, and you'll see a consistent gap: $15-30 monthly for residential pools. This gap represents the chemical markup—what the market pays for chemical service inclusion.
For pool service companies, this markup is both revenue opportunity and risk factor. A well-maintained pool with consistent chemistry might cost $10-12/month in chemicals. Including chemicals at $25/month creates healthy margin. But a problem pool—green water recoveries, persistent algae, phosphate issues, or customers who shock their own pools incorrectly—might consume $40-50/month in chemicals, turning that markup into a loss.
Successful chemical-included pricing requires accurate pool assessment during the sales process, clear contract terms about what constitutes "normal" chemical usage, and willingness to adjust pricing or move to separate billing for chronic problem pools.
Using This Data to Price Your Services
Market data is a starting point, not a final answer. Use this map to establish baseline understanding, then adjust based on your specific situation:
- Identify your market position: Are you competing on price, service quality, or specialization? Budget operators should price at or below market average. Premium service providers should price 15-30% above average with corresponding service differentiation.
- Calculate your actual costs: Use our Cost Per Pool Calculator to determine your break-even price. Never price below your true costs, regardless of market rates.
- Assess your route density: Scattered routes cost more to service. If your drive time between pools averages 15+ minutes, you need higher per-pool pricing to compensate.
- Factor in your service model: Full-service (chemicals included, brushing, vacuuming, filter cleaning) commands higher prices than chemistry-only service. Price accordingly.
- Consider your growth strategy: Aggressive growth requires competitive pricing. Maximum profitability requires premium pricing with selective customer acquisition.
When Your Rates Don't Match the Market
If you're significantly below market average: You're likely underpricing. This could be intentional (growth strategy, new to the market) or accidental (haven't raised rates in years, didn't understand the market). Either way, low pricing attracts price-sensitive customers who are hardest to retain and most likely to complain. Consider systematic rate increases to bring your pricing in line with market value.
If you're significantly above market average: You either offer premium service that justifies premium pricing, or you're losing potential customers to lower-priced competition. Verify that your service quality, communication, and reliability genuinely exceed market standards. If they do, your pricing is appropriate. If not, you may be leaving leads on the table.
If you're at market average but struggling: The problem isn't pricing—it's costs. Your overhead, chemical costs, or route efficiency needs attention. A company at market rates should be profitable; if you're not, examine your cost structure before adjusting prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this pricing data come from?
This data comes from the 2026 Skimmer Service Rate Index, compiled from actual billing data across 30,000+ pool service professionals managing over 700,000 pools. Unlike surveys or estimates, this represents real rates being charged and paid in the market. Skimmer is the leading pool service management software, and their data represents a substantial cross-section of the professional pool service industry.
How often is pool service pricing data updated?
The Skimmer Service Rate Index is published annually, and we update this map with each new release. Pool service pricing has shown steady increases of 5-10% annually since 2020, driven by rising chemical costs, fuel prices, insurance premiums, and general inflation. The 2022-2024 period saw particularly significant increases as the industry adjusted to post-pandemic cost realities.
Why are Sun Belt state prices so high despite heavy competition?
High competition doesn't automatically mean low prices. Sun Belt markets have both high supply (many service providers) and high demand (many pools, year-round usage, customers who prefer professional service to DIY). This equilibrium supports healthy pricing. Additionally, operating costs in states like California are high, and prices reflect those costs. Competition in these markets tends to focus on service quality and reliability rather than pure price competition.
Should I match the lowest prices in my market?
Almost never. The lowest-priced operators are often hobbyists supplementing other income, new operators building routes at unsustainable prices, or businesses that don't fully understand their costs. Matching these prices leads to a race to the bottom that makes the market worse for everyone. Instead, focus on providing service quality that justifies market-average or above-average pricing.
How do I justify charging more than competitors?
Differentiation justifies premium pricing: guaranteed same-day response to issues, same technician every visit, detailed service reports with photos, professional appearance and communication, CPO certification, and reliability (never miss a scheduled service). Customers who value these attributes happily pay 15-30% premiums. Customers who don't value them aren't your target market.
What's the best pricing model for a new pool service business?
Monthly + Chemicals is typically the best starting point for residential-focused businesses. It provides predictable revenue, simplifies billing, and matches customer expectations in most markets. As you learn which pools are chemical-heavy and which are efficient, you can adjust individual account pricing accordingly. Per-stop billing makes more sense for commercial-focused businesses or markets where it's the established norm.
How do I know if I should raise my prices?
If you haven't raised prices in over 12 months, you should probably raise them. Costs increase annually—chemicals, fuel, insurance, labor—and prices should increase accordingly. A 3-5% annual increase maintains your margins without shocking customers. If you're significantly below market average, or if you're consistently overbooked with a waiting list, larger increases are justified.
Can I see city-level pricing data?
This map shows state-level averages and regional breakdowns for major pool markets (Florida, California, Arizona, Texas, Nevada). For city-specific pricing intelligence, we recommend: (1) checking competitor pricing in your specific service area, (2) using our Service Price Calculator to determine profitable pricing for your costs, and (3) consulting with local pool service associations or networking groups who share market knowledge.
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