How pool companies pay techs
In Skimmer's 2025 survey, 41% pay hourly, 38% pay per pool and 21% pay salary. 52% employ techs on W-2, 32% use 1099 contractors and 16% use both (State of Pool Service 2025).
What techs earn
PayScale puts the median pool technician at about $19/hour, with most between about $16 and $24 (PayScale). Job-board averages run higher, around $19–$25 depending on the source and market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't track pool technicians as a separate job.
Per stop vs hourly
| Per stop | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|
| Labor cost per pool | Fixed and predictable | Rises on slow days and spread-out routes |
| Incentive | Finish the route efficiently | Take the time to do it right |
| Main risk | Rushed stops and skipped brushing | Slow routes and padded hours |
| Works best | Experienced techs, dense routes, clear standards | New techs in training, mixed or repair-heavy work |
Per-stop rates reported by owners vary widely. One example is $14 a pool with a 30-minute cap. Some companies train new techs hourly, then move them to per-stop pay designed to work out above a target hourly rate.
Per stop doesn't mean no minimum wage or overtime
Under federal law, piece-rate employees still have to earn at least minimum wage for all hours worked and get overtime. Their "regular rate" is the week's total piece earnings divided by all hours worked. For hours over 40, you owe an extra half of that rate per overtime hour (29 CFR 778.111; DOL Fact Sheet #23). Many states add their own rules, and some require separate pay for non-productive time like loading the truck. Calling techs 1099 contractors doesn't avoid this if they work like employees. Check with an employment attorney or your payroll provider.
Protecting quality on per-stop pay
- Minimum time on site, commonly 10–15 minutes, so stops can't be rushed.
- Photo proof at every stop: pool and equipment after service.
- Logged readings every visit, so skipped testing shows up.
- GPS check-in so arrival and departure times are recorded automatically.
Pool Pro's mobile app does the last three: photos, chemistry logs and GPS check-in at each stop. You get per-stop efficiency without guessing about quality.
What it means for your prices
Whichever way you pay, put the real labor cost per stop into the pricing calculator. Labor is usually the largest cost in a pool service company, and it's the number most owners underestimate.