Pool Technician Salary & Age Survey: Real Income Data from 30+ Professionals

How much do pool technicians actually make? And how old is "too old" to work in this business? We compiled responses from over 30 pool service professionals who shared their real income numbers and career perspectives in an industry discussion. The results paint a fascinating picture of an industry where age is just a number and income potential varies dramatically based on business model, region, and ambition.

Survey Overview: Who Responded

The data comes from a Facebook discussion in the Swimming Pool Industry Workers group where professionals openly shared their age, income, and career path. Respondents ranged from 22-year-old technicians to business owners in their late 60s and 70s. The sample includes employees, solo operators, and business owners with multiple trucks.

Age Distribution: How Old Are Pool Professionals?

One of the most common questions in the industry is whether pool service is a "young man's game." The data tells a different story. While there's a healthy representation of workers in their 20s and 30s, the industry is notably populated by professionals in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s.

The 50-59 age bracket had the most respondents, followed by workers 60 and older. This challenges the notion that pool service is exclusively for young workers. Many professionals in their 50s and 60s reported running successful routes and staying physically active through gym workouts and careful body maintenance.

Income by Role: What Pool Professionals Actually Earn

Income in pool service varies dramatically based on whether you're an employee, solo operator, or business owner with employees. Here's what the survey revealed:

Employee Technicians: $55,000-$75,000

Employees working for pool service companies reported earnings ranging from $55,000 to over $75,000 annually. Hourly rates ranged from $20-$36 per hour depending on experience and location.

Profile	Age	Location	Income
Entry-level tech (lowest earner)	Early 20s	-	$65,000
Experienced tech (cleaning only)	~50	-	$75,000+
Young techs (good performers)	20s	-	~$70,000
Seasonal tech (April-November)	62	Northeast	$55,000
Experienced tech	42	New Jersey	$36/hr (9 months)

One business owner noted the importance of finding the right employee fit: "I have a guy almost 50 making over $75k, and only cleans pools. But he is a dream employee and he wants to clean pools. Very consistent, zero issues. I know if he gets a complaint, the customer is a liar."

Solo Route Owners: $85,000-$165,000

Pool professionals who own and operate their own routes reported significantly higher incomes than employees. The income varies based on pool count, pricing, and whether they take on side work.

Profile	Age	Location	Pools/Week	Income
Tech + side business	22	-	-	$162,000
Solo owner	48	-	75-80	$100,000+
Route owner + side jobs	33	-	-	$85,000
After expenses	54	-	-	$120,000

Owners with Employees: $120,000-$325,000+

Business owners who have hired employees and scaled beyond a single route reported the highest incomes, though they also emphasized that gross revenue doesn't tell the whole story.

Profile	Age	Location	Team Size	Gross Revenue
Route owner + 1 employee	54	-	2	$325,000
Single pole owner	39	SoCal	1	$225,000+
Owner (3 years in)	-	New York	3	$450,000
Owner	37	Arizona	8	$1,000,000+

One respondent offered important context on gross vs. net income:

Geographic Impact: California vs. Other States

Location plays a significant role in earning potential. California pool professionals, particularly in Southern California, reported some of the highest incomes but also noted the high cost of living and taxes that offset those earnings.

Year-round markets like Florida and Arizona offer consistent work without seasonal slowdowns. One Florida-based professional with 30 years in pool repair noted the "non-stop year round job" nature of the market.

Career Longevity: When to Move Off the Truck

The survey revealed interesting perspectives on career progression. While some professionals plan to transition to office or management roles in their 30s or 40s, others continue fieldwork well into their 60s and 70s.

However, multiple professionals in their 50s, 60s, and 70s pushed back on this perspective, demonstrating that with proper physical conditioning, the work remains viable.

The industry appears to support both paths: early scaling to management roles, or continued fieldwork with attention to physical fitness. Those who stay in the field often note the importance of gym routines, proper lifting techniques, and gradually transitioning to less physically demanding work like repairs and leak detection.

Hourly Rates and Weekly Pay

For those evaluating compensation structures, here are the hourly and weekly rates reported:

Role	Pay Rate	Notes
Entry-level technician	$20-$25/hour	Starting range
Experienced technician	$25-$30/hour	With benefits package
Senior/Lead technician	$30-$36/hour	High experience
Pool cleaners (weekly)	$600-$800/week	Route work only
Service managers	$1,200-$1,500/week	Depends on department size

One business owner with 7 employees offers a comprehensive benefits package alongside hourly pay: "Payroll wise we are hourly from $20-$30 an hour, some techs are part time and 3 are full time. We offer medical, 401k along with 2-4 weeks vacation a year with paid major holidays, Christmas to New Year's off, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, the week of Thanksgiving off."

Pools Per Week: Route Size Benchmarks

Understanding typical route sizes helps contextualize income potential. Here's what professionals reported servicing weekly:

• 45 pools/week - Plus commercial route (Bret Walker, 63, SoCal)
• 70 pools/week - With filter cleans and repairs (couple team, 58)
• 70 pools/week - Owner handles, employee does 46 more (Vince Cashman, 54)
• 75-80 pools/week - Solo operator (Jerry Crismon, 48)
• 90 pools/week - Full service (Greg May, 54, NorCal)

Route size directly correlates with income, but also with physical demands. Higher pool counts require efficiency, route optimization, and often a willingness to work longer hours during peak season.

The Path to Ownership

Several respondents emphasized the importance of transitioning from employee to owner to maximize earning potential in this industry.

The typical progression mentioned was: learn the trade as an employee, build expertise over 5-10 years, then either start your own business or buy an existing route. Those who stay employees long-term often do so for the stability, benefits, and work-life balance rather than maximum income.

Key Takeaways for Pool Professionals

Use our Technician Compensation Calculator to model different pay structures, or our Service Price Calculator to optimize your route pricing.