How Much Do Mobile Car Detailers Make?
Per-job pricing, jobs per day, product costs, and why mobile detailing scales better than a fixed unit
By the Monthly Income Booster editorial team · Updated · How we research and fact-check
On this topic
Mobile detailing has low startup costs, immediate cash payment, and prices set by how good the result looks rather than by how long it took — which is unusual and works in your favour.
What BLS data shows (May 2025)
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025 national estimates) puts the median wage for cleaners of vehicles and equipment (SOC 53-7061) at $17.23 an hour, or $35,830 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $13.17 an hour and the top 10% more than $22.89. The closest BLS line is cleaners of vehicles and equipment, which covers employed detailers and car-wash staff. Owner-operators of a mobile detailing business are not included.
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (lowest-paid 10% earn less) | $13.17 | $27,380 |
| Median | $17.23 | $35,830 |
| 90th (top 10% earn more) | $22.89 | $47,610 |
Worked example
The car detailing pricing calculator's starting inputs for a mobile detail — example figures to swap for your own price and job time:
| Input or result | Value |
|---|---|
| Price per detail | $150.00 |
| Hours per detail | 3 |
| Supplies per job | $18.00 |
| Travel per job | $12.00 |
| Jobs per week | 6 |
| Hourly you want to clear | $45.00 |
| = Profit per job | $120.00 |
| = Your actual hourly rate | $40.00 |
| = Monthly profit | $3,118 |
| = Price needed to hit the target | $165.00 |
Jobs Per Day and Job Types
A maintenance wash is quick; a full interior restoration is most of a day. Mixing them across the week keeps income steady without burning you out on heavy jobs.
What You Actually Spend
Chemicals, pads, water, fuel between jobs, and machine wear. Per job it's modest, which is why detailing margins are healthier than most service hustles.
Where the Real Money Is
Paint correction, ceramic coatings, and fleet or dealership contracts. These need training and better equipment but multiply what a day is worth.
Getting Booked
Before-and-after photos are your entire marketing. Post them consistently, work a tight local radius, and ask every happy customer to rebook on the spot.
Pricing With Confidence
Use the service pricing tool to set a per-job price from your target hourly, product cost, and travel, then hold that price instead of discounting.
Next, read How Much Do Mobile Mechanics Make? and Mobile Car Detailing Side Hustle.
Official sources
Tax rules, limits and pay data change. Check the current figures with the primary source before acting on them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can a mobile detailer make per day?+
It's jobs per day multiplied by price per job, minus products and travel. Enter your own numbers in the service pricing tool.
Do I need a water supply?+
Many mobile detailers carry a tank and use rinseless or waterless methods. Confirm what each site allows before booking.
Is detailing worth it as a side hustle?+
Yes if you can work weekends and take photos of your work. It pays quickly and needs little upfront money compared with most trades.
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