Why Hawaii Pool Service Costs So Little (and Kansas Costs So Much): State Pricing Breakdown
Looking at pool service pricing data across the United States reveals a startling range: from $49-$51 per month in Hawaii to $294-$307 per month in Kansas. That's nearly a 6x difference for the same basic service. What drives these extremes?
Using data from Skimmer's 2026 Service Rate Index, we analyzed the highest and lowest pricing markets to understand what factors drive regional pricing differences.
Hawaii
Monthly average (with chemicals)
Kansas
Monthly average (with chemicals)
Key Factors Driving Price Extremes
- Pool density and competition: Markets with fewer pools per capita have less competition
- Seasonality: Shorter pool seasons require higher monthly rates to maintain annual income
- Operating costs: Labor, insurance, and chemical shipping vary dramatically by region
- Market maturity: Established markets with many competitors tend to have compressed pricing
- Data sample size: Smaller markets may have less representative data
The Low-Price Markets: Hawaii and Alaska
Hawaii and Alaska share the lowest pool service rates in the country, both averaging $49-$51 per month with chemicals included. This seems counterintuitive — both states have high costs of living. What's going on?
Hawaii Pricing Factors
- Year-round service: No seasonal shutdown means steady, year-round income without needing to "make up" for winter months
- Mild climate: Consistent temperatures mean predictable chemical usage and pool conditions
- Unique market dynamics: Resort and hotel pools may dominate commercial service, with residential being a smaller segment
- Data considerations: Smaller sample sizes in island markets may skew results
Alaska Pricing Factors
Alaska's low rates are even more surprising given extreme operating challenges. Possible explanations:
- Indoor pools dominate: Most Alaska pools are indoor, with different service requirements
- Very small market: Limited data may not represent the full market
- Seasonal residents: Pool owners may be seasonal, affecting service models
Data Caveat: Hawaii and Alaska's low rates may reflect unique market compositions (hotel/resort pools, indoor facilities) or smaller data samples rather than what a typical residential pool service commands. Always verify local market rates before pricing your services.
The High-Price Markets: Kansas, Delaware, and the Midwest
Kansas leads the nation with monthly rates averaging $294-$307 with chemicals — nearly 6x Hawaii's rates. Other high-price states include:
| State | Monthly Avg (w/chems) | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | $294-$307 | Short season, low pool density |
| Delaware | $289-$298 (w/o chems) | Small market, high costs |
| Indiana | $266-$275 (w/o chems) | Short season |
| Georgia | $246-$257 | Strong demand, good margins |
| Louisiana | $235-$244 | Humidity, chemical demand |
Why Kansas Rates Are So High
Several factors combine to make Kansas the most expensive pool service market:
- Short pool season: Kansas pools are typically open May-September (5 months). To earn the same annual income as year-round markets, monthly rates must be significantly higher.
- Low pool density: Fewer pools per square mile means longer drive times between stops, reducing efficiency.
- Limited competition: Fewer pool service operators means less price pressure.
- Opening/closing complexity: Seasonal pools require winterization and spring opening services, adding value to the relationship.
- Chemical logistics: Distance from major distribution centers can increase chemical costs.
Regional Trends: What the Data Reveals
The Sunbelt Compression
States with the most pools — Florida, Arizona, California, Texas — have some of the most competitive (lowest) pricing:
| State | Monthly Avg (w/chems) | Est. Pools |
|---|---|---|
| California | $126-$132 | 1.4M+ |
| Florida | $139-$145 | 1.8M+ |
| Arizona | $136-$142 | 600K+ |
| Texas | Regional variation | 1.2M+ |
High pool density creates intense competition, keeping prices lower despite year-round service opportunities and high demand.
The Midwest Premium
Midwestern states consistently show higher pricing despite lower costs of living:
- Iowa: $206-$214/month
- Kansas: $294-$307/month
- Indiana: $266-$275/month (without chemicals)
The short season (4-5 months of pool weather) requires operators to earn a full year's income in half the time, pushing monthly rates up.
The Northeast Premium
Northeastern states show moderate to high pricing with plus-chemicals models dominating:
- Connecticut: $139-$144/month (with chemicals)
- Maryland: $172-$176/month (with chemicals)
- Delaware: $289-$298/month (without chemicals)
Higher labor costs, shorter seasons, and weather variability all contribute to premium pricing.
What This Means for Your Pricing Strategy
If You're in a High-Price Market
- Don't race to the bottom: High rates exist for a reason — embrace them
- Emphasize value: Focus on quality, reliability, and expertise to justify premium pricing
- Bundle services: Include opening/closing, equipment checks, and seasonal treatments
- Annual contracts: Lock in customers for the full season with pre-paid options
If You're in a Low-Price Market
- Volume is key: Lower per-pool revenue requires more customers to hit income goals
- Efficiency matters: Route optimization and time management become critical
- Upsell opportunities: Repairs, renovations, and equipment sales add margin
- Differentiate on service: In competitive markets, exceptional service wins referrals
If You're Considering a New Market
- Research thoroughly: These averages are starting points, not definitive answers
- Talk to local operators: Join local IPSSA chapters or pool industry groups
- Understand seasonality: Factor in how many months you can actually service pools
- Calculate true costs: Consider labor, chemicals, drive time, and overhead specific to the market
See Pricing Across All 50 States
Explore where your state falls on the pricing spectrum with our interactive map.
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