US Contractor Cost Index 2026
How much should you really pay for a contractor? Our 2026 Cost Index tracks the average hourly billing rates and salary ranges for the most common trades across the United States. Use the state selector below to adjust rates for your local cost of living.
| Trade ▲ | Billing Rate / hr ⇅ | Apprentice Wage ⇅ | Journeyman Wage ⇅ | Typical Job Cost ⇅ | Trend 2026 ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appliance Repair | $75–120 | $38,000–50,000/yr | $65,000–90,000/yr | $200–800 | ↑ rising |
| Cabinet Maker | $65–110 | $38,000–50,000/yr | $65,000–95,000/yr | $3,000–15,000 | → stable |
| Carpenter | $60–100 | $38,000–50,000/yr | $65,000–95,000/yr | $1,500–6,000 | → stable |
| Cleaning Service | $40–70 | $30,000–38,000/yr | $45,000–65,000/yr | $150–500 | → stable |
| Drywall Installer | $55–90 | $35,000–48,000/yr | $60,000–85,000/yr | $1,500–6,000 | → stable |
| Electrician | $80–130 | $40,000–55,000/yr | $75,000–110,000/yr | $300–2,500 | ↑ rising |
| Fence Installer | $55–90 | $35,000–45,000/yr | $55,000–80,000/yr | $2,000–8,000 | → stable |
| Flooring Installer | $55–95 | $35,000–45,000/yr | $60,000–85,000/yr | $1,000–5,000 | → stable |
| General Contractor | $80–150 | $45,000–60,000/yr | $85,000–130,000/yr | $10,000–100,000+ | → stable |
| Glazier (Windows) | $65–110 | $38,000–52,000/yr | $65,000–95,000/yr | $2,000–12,000 | → stable |
| Handyman | $50–90 | $35,000–45,000/yr | $55,000–80,000/yr | $150–1,000 | → stable |
| HVAC Technician | $85–140 | $42,000–58,000/yr | $75,000–115,000/yr | $300–8,000 | ↑ rising |
| Landscaper | $45–80 | $32,000–42,000/yr | $50,000–75,000/yr | $1,000–8,000 | → stable |
| Mason / Concrete | $70–120 | $40,000–55,000/yr | $70,000–100,000/yr | $3,000–15,000 | ↑ rising |
| Painter | $50–85 | $35,000–45,000/yr | $55,000–80,000/yr | $1,000–5,000 | → stable |
| Plumber | $90–150 | $45,000–60,000/yr | $80,000–120,000/yr | $400–4,000 | ↑ rising |
| Roofer | $65–110 | $35,000–48,000/yr | $60,000–90,000/yr | $5,000–25,000 | ↑ rising |
| Solar Installer | $70–120 | $40,000–55,000/yr | $70,000–105,000/yr | $12,000–30,000 | ↑ rising |
| Tile Setter | $60–100 | $38,000–48,000/yr | $60,000–90,000/yr | $1,000–5,000 | → stable |
| Welder / Ironworker | $75–125 | $42,000–58,000/yr | $75,000–110,000/yr | $500–5,000 | → stable |
Updated: February 2026 · Data based on BLS wage statistics, RSMeans cost data, and regional contracting averages. All rates shown are billing rates (cost to customer), not employee wages.
Why are Contractor Billing Rates so much higher than Wages?
Homeowners are often shocked to see a plumber charging $120 per hour when the average plumber wage is only $35 per hour. Why the huge difference?
The rate you see on your invoice is the Billing Rate. This rate has to cover not just the worker's take-home pay, but the entire overhead of running a legitimate contracting business.
Key components of the Billing Rate:
- Labor Burden: Taxes, workers' comp, health insurance, and retirement benefits (usually adds 30-40% to the base wage).
- Vehicle & Equipment: Truck payments, fuel, specialized tools, and maintenance.
- Business Overhead: Office staff, dispatchers, software, liability insurance, and advertising.