June, 26 2025

Straight out of the gate, here's something wild: pressure washing is one of those blue-collar gigs where you can start tiny and end up with a business raking in serious cash. I've seen people go from a single machine in the back of a pickup to multiple crews grinding every day. But is it easy money, or just another Instagram hustle fantasy? Hang on, because the numbers are more interesting—and surprising—than you might think.

How Pressure Washing Makes Money

At its heart, pressure washing is all about making things look clean—and people are ready to spend good money for that. Homeowners get annoyed by dirty siding, mossy roofs, and that never-ending grime on their driveways. Commercial properties always want their store fronts looking sharp. That's your market right there, and it's huge. According to a 2023 survey from IBISWorld, the U.S. pressure washing industry saw revenues north of $14 billion that year. If you've ever looked up your local Facebook group and seen those "Can anyone recommend a pressure washing guy?" posts, you know there’s plenty of demand.

Most solo pressure washers start out with residential jobs. A single driveway can net $100–$250, and house washing goes for anywhere from $200 up to a grand, depending on the size and grime. Toss in extras like deck cleaning, fence washing, or gutter blasting, and you can pile on a few hundred more—on a single property. On the commercial side, recurring contracts are where the big, steady money happens. Think strip malls, condo complexes, restaurants. These clients often prefer monthly or seasonal cleanings, so one deal can lock in a regular stream of income.

Here’s a peek at typical pressure washing prices in the US, based on HomeAdvisor data:

So, if you’re clever about scheduling and upselling, it’s totally realistic to clear $600–$1,200 in a single day, especially during the busy spring and summer seasons.

What it Actually Takes to Get Started

Starting a pressure washing business isn’t like opening a café or launching a complicated tech startup. That’s what makes it tempting for so many. You can kick things off for less than $2,500, including a solid commercial-grade washer (gas-powered, always!), some hoses, a surface cleaner attachment, and cleaning solutions. That’s the minimum. Add in a trailer or van and you’re still way behind the average cost of opening most other service businesses.

But the tools are just the start. The real costs—and risks—show up when you start working with clients. No one mentions how easy it is to damage siding, windows, or landscaping if you don’t know what you’re doing. Get insurance—liability insurance is a must, and it runs about $600–$1,200 per year. You also want to budget for marketing: flyers, a basic website, Facebook ads, and maybe some snazzy T-shirts (hey, branding matters).

One tip: if you’re brand new to this, hit up friends and neighbors first. Offer a killer “first job” discount just to get real-world experience and before/after photos for your portfolio. Those pictures are gold on your website and social media.

The Real Profit Potential—And Pitfalls to Dodge

Let’s do some quick math. Say you book just two $300 jobs per day, four days a week. That’s $2,400 a week—more than $9,000 a month. Even if you take winters off, you could easily pull in $30,000–$60,000, with solo operators I’ve met clearing $70K to $100K after a few years, once they get referral business rolling in. Add employees or more equipment and you’re only limited by how many jobs you can land and complete.

But there are catches. There’s a ton of competition now. Once people realize there’s money in this, dozens of local operators pop up, especially when the weather warms. That drives down prices unless you stand out with either faster service, killer results, or just being really great to work with (trust me, friendliness is a superpower in this business).

Don’t sleep on add-on services. Roof soft washing, concrete sealing, deck staining—these aren’t just “bonus” jobs, they can become huge revenue streams. Some pressure washers also tackle graffiti removal, which is surprisingly lucrative if you target the right neighborhoods or city contracts.

If you want to keep growing, you’ll need to level up beyond just blasting water all day. Think recurring contracts with HOAs and apartment complexes, partnering with property management companies, or even offering exterior window cleaning. The real winners treat this like a real business: customer tracking, Google reviews, upselling, networking—all that boring but necessary stuff.

“Pressure washing is the kind of trade where consistent effort and great customer service matter more than raw talent,” says Anthony Michaels, founder of CleanJet Pro. “Most of your work comes from happy clients telling their neighbors.”

Another hidden challenge? The seasonality. Cold winters (unless you’re in Florida or Texas) mean lean months, so a smart operator sets aside a chunk of summer profit to get through the off-season or looks for contracts that keep them busy year-round.

What Sets the Money-Makers Apart

Not everyone pulling a pressure washer behind their truck is swimming in cash. The top earners don’t just show up and spray—they’ve figured out what people really want: reliability, respect for their property, and a job done right the first time. That means answering calls, showing up on time, and following through.

Repeat after me: You don’t just sell cleanliness. You sell peace of mind. That’s a big reason commercial clients pay fat premiums for someone who minimizes disruption, works around customers, and backs up their work with a real guarantee. One simple trick? Offer an annual “spring cleaning” subscription for neighbors or clients. With this, you lock in work, and customers get to kick back knowing you’ll keep their place looking sharp.

Don’t underestimate the power of Google reviews and before/after photos. Nothing markets your gig better than a crusty old driveway transformed into a sparkling welcome mat. That proof builds trust fast, and trust is what really sells pressure washing jobs—especially when it comes to pricier house washes or large commercial projects.

Looking for hidden goldmines? New home buyers and real estate agents are always searching for affordable ways to boost curb appeal fast. Network with local agents, drop your card off at the hardware store, and you’ll be amazed how fast the calls come in.

Real-World Tips to Boost Your Pressure Washing Earnings

Ready to step things up? Here’s what separates a weekend warrior from someone making bank in this industry:

• Pressure washing isn’t just about blasting grime—it’s about customer relationships. Send holiday postcards or discount emails to past clients.
• Invest in better gear as soon as you’re able. A high-end surface cleaner can double your speed on driveways or patios.
• Offer package deals: “House, driveway, and deck cleaned for $500”—bundle it up, and people love the feeling of saving money while getting everything cleaned.
• Get good at quoting jobs fast. People pick whoever replies first more often than you’d expect.
• Always use the right detergent for the job: wood decks, vinyl siding, concrete—all need different soaps or degreasers for best results. Cheap out here, and you risk damage (or poor results that hurt your reviews).
• For commercial accounts, pitch a quarterly contract instead of one-time cleans. This builds recurring revenue you can count on.
• Don’t neglect safety! Invest in non-slip boots, eye and ear protection, and high-quality hoses. Injuries or accidents lead to downtime, which means lost income.

Every market is a little different, but the playbook is the same: deliver great results, make customers happy, and you set yourself up for real profits. Even rookie solo operators can hustle up $500 in a Saturday if they knock out three small jobs for neighbors.

Now, is pressure washing a path to millionaire success overnight? Not unless you get ridiculously lucky—or land a big fat contract with a major city. But as far as side hustles or solo businesses go, it’s way more straightforward than most. With smart planning, ambition, and a willingness to outwork your competition, you can absolutely make a ton of money. And honestly, there’s something kind of satisfying about blasting away years of grime and seeing instant results, both in clean surfaces and your bank account.