We all know that car washes are a mainstay in the American economy, and you might even dream as a kid to work at one or have your own car wash business someday, but did you know how much do car wash employees make?
Though the pay can vary depending on the experience and education of the employee, a car wash manager’s salary per hour is, on average, $54. Meanwhile, the owner’s salary will depend on how much the car wash makes. While a car washer earns $14 as their hourly pay.
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How Much Do Car Wash Workers Make?
A car wash manager’s hourly salary ranges from $23.16 to $43.65. Meanwhile, a car washer worker’s pay per hour will range from $13.8 to $16.35
In the US, a car wash worker makes $25,918 per year.
For your information, a car care specialist can expect to be paid $21.94 to $38.21 an hour. Furthermore, $17.48 to $23.29 per hour is the standard for a car wash attendant’s salary.
However, many factors impact the pay:
1. The type of car wash
The type of car wash you work for and a car wash’s income will affect how much money you make. For example, if you work at a car wash that only does detailing, your salary will be lower than someone who does full-service, like a thorough cleaning.
The size of your company also affects how much money you make as an employee. If you’re a part of a large corporation and a general manager, you may earn about $54,000 a year in the US.
The type of car wash jobs your employer offers will also influence your salary. For instance, if they provide health insurance benefits and other perks like paid time off or flexible scheduling, they will probably increase the amount they pay their employees.
2. Your experience working at a car wash
The most crucial factor in determining how much you’ll make in the car wash industry is your experience. For example, the payment will be higher for years of experience with cars, cleaning, and customer service skills as a car wash attendant and washer.
More experienced workers also have more opportunities for promotions and pay raises, as well as better chances for career advancement within their companies.
3. The state where you live in
The different states and wages can affect the car wash salary. Take a look at the top cities with the highest payment for car wash workers.
- Atkinson – About $2,800 per month ($16.3 per hour)
- Frankston – About $2,700 per month ($15.7 per hour)
- Dimondale – About $2,580 per month (14.9 per hour)
- Manhattan – About $2,570 per month ($14.8 per hour)
4. Your level of education and training
Your education and training level can affect how much you earn as a car wash employee.
You can apply for a car wash specialist role, a supervisor, or a sales advisor. And there is no set standard for what level of education or training someone should have to be considered qualified for a job in the car wash industry.
But, it is essential to note that there is a consensus among experts that the more schooling and experience you have, the better off your career will be.
5. Car wash hours of operation
The number of hours that car wash employee works weekly affects their earnings.
Car wash employees typically work 35-40 hours per week, although some may work 51-52 hours per week. The company will pay car wash employees depending on their position and company size.
Additionally, car wash companies could choose whether to pay weekly or twice monthly, depending on the employer-employee agreement.
FAQs
How much money can you make from washing a car?
Washing a car may not seem like a high-paying job, but it can be.
Car wash employees can earn an average income of $13 to $16.5 an hour or more, depending on the position. Still, the exact amount depends on your area and your experience.
Do you tip at the car wash?
Tipping employees at a car wash are standard, especially if you’re a regular customer. You can tip for a simple car wash at as low as $2. For a full service, the tip can increase from $3 to $5, depending on the car size, too.
How much do car washes make in California?
Many factors affect how much car washes are made in California, such as the services they offer customers. Still, for example, a pay station and an in-bay car washes make about $139,000 a year.
In contrast, big car washes that provide extensive services, including car care payment, can make an average of $600,000 annual income.
How often should you wash your car?
The frequency at which you wash your car is a matter of personal preference and convenience. Your driving activity, the weather where you reside, and how you keep your automobile while you don’t use it all impact how often you should wash your car.
According to experts, washing your car every two weeks is an excellent idea. Still, if your vehicle has recently been added with wax, you can wash it less frequently.
How old do you have to be to work at a car wash?
The minimum age requirement to apply for a job is 18 years old. Above, few car wash companies accept 16-17 years old for a restricted role, unlike if you’re at the right age that you can perform different functions given proper training.
Conclusion
So, in the end, essential factors determine how much do car wash employees make. Whether your base salary is higher or lower than $12 to $16 per hour depends on the region and size of the company you work for and your position in a car wash.
It’s up to you to decide whether or not these factors are worth considering when applying for a car washing position.
