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These are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage figures (OEWS, May 2023) for the roles small home-service shops hire most. "Entry" is the 10th percentile, where new hires and apprentices usually start; "Top" is the 90th percentile, where licensed leads and highly experienced techs land. The Texas column is the BLS median for Texas.
| Role | Entry /hr | Median /hr | Top /hr | Texas median /hr | Median per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $18.49 | $29.61 | $50.09 | $27.09 | $61,589 |
| Electrician's apprentice / helper | $14.41 | $18.43 | $26.88 | $20.68 | $38,334 |
| Plumber / pipefitter | $18.60 | $29.59 | $49.59 | $27.35 | $61,547 |
| HVAC technician / installer | $17.92 | $27.55 | $40.51 | $26.27 | $57,304 |
| Roofer | $17.42 | $24.05 | $38.39 | $21.39 | $50,024 |
| Arborist / tree climber | $16.56 | $23.59 | $36.47 | n/a | $49,067 |
| Ground crew / landscaper | $13.98 | $17.96 | $24.66 | $17.13 | $37,357 |
| Painter | $17.10 | $22.94 | $36.55 | $21.25 | $47,715 |
| Pest control technician | $14.75 | $20.90 | $29.05 | $19.84 | $43,472 |
| House cleaner / housekeeper | $11.79 | $16.08 | $21.96 | $13.83 | $33,446 |
| General laborer | $15.15 | $21.78 | $36.54 | $18.74 | $45,302 |
| Driver (CDL / heavy truck) | $18.00 | $26.12 | $36.91 | $26.22 | $54,330 |
| Crew leader / foreman | $18.76 | $26.80 | $39.85 | $24.90 | $55,744 |
| Supervisor / operations manager | $23.76 | $36.90 | $58.78 | $35.93 | $76,752 |
Yearly figures assume full-time work (2,080 hours). "n/a" means BLS didn't publish a Texas figure for that role.
Start from experience, then adjust for your market. A helper with no license belongs near the entry figure; a journeyman or a climber who can run a crew belongs above the median. Cities and high-cost areas pay more than rural ones, and a tight labor market can push every number up.
Price the job to cover the wage. Labor is usually the biggest cost in a service job. Add payroll taxes, workers' comp and insurance on top of the hourly wage (often 20–30% more), then make sure your quotes leave margin after that fully loaded cost. The free profit & break-even calculator helps you check.
Pay for skills that make you money. Licenses, certifications, a clean driving record and the ability to quote or upsell on site are worth paying for, because they let one crew finish more billable work.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2023 release. It's the most widely used public source for wages by occupation.
These are national figures (and a Texas median). Local pay depends on your city, cost of living, union rates, seasonality and how many people are hiring for the same skills.
No. It's a starting point for your own decisions. Always pay at least your federal, state and local minimum wage and follow overtime rules.
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