You Shared. We Listened. State of the Industry First Look


By  • October 29, 2026

Every pressure washing business has a story. Together, those experiences can help us better understand where our industry stands and what contractors need to move forward.



PWNA’s 2026 State of the Industry Survey invited professionals to share their perspectives and experiences. Now, we’re sharing preliminary findings to give our community a first look at what we’re learning.

Why your input matters

Hearing directly from the people doing the work helps us ask better questions, identify areas that deserve more attention, and better understand the needs of the professionals we serve.



For PWNA, this feedback helps inform conversations about education, resources, and support for our industry. For business owners, it offers an opportunity to step back from day-to-day operations and consider their own experiences alongside those of their peers.

An Early Snapshot

The resource below presents preliminary findings from the survey. As you review it, consider how the responses compare with what you’re seeing in your own business. What feels familiar? What surprises you? What questions would you like to explore further?



These findings are an early snapshot, and results or interpretations may be refined as analysis continues. They should be read with that preliminary status in mind.

Thank you for Contributing

To everyone who took the time to participate: thank you. Your willingness to share your experience makes this work possible and adds valuable perspective to the conversation about our industry’s future.


Explore the preliminary findings below for a first look at PWNA’s 2026 State of the Industry Survey.

State of the Industry 2026 | PWNA
PWNA Research Report

What contractors told us about growth, costs, safety, and where the industry goes next.

235 responses 88% owners & partners US & Canada
80%

expect growth in the next 12 months. Only 3% expect a decline.

54%

name fuel a top cost pressure. Diesel is up $2.63/gal from a year ago (EIA).

34%

have a formal written safety program. The rest are informal or have none.

59%

want more info on PWNA membership or training, members included.

Growth

Growth is real, but not universal

Revenue vs. the prior year

Grew 25%+ 25%
Grew 10–25% 29%
About the same 34%
Declined 13%

Nearly half didn't grow, and 44% aren't hiring right now, mostly owner-operators and businesses under $100k.*

Still, the outlook is forward-leaning: 46% plan to add a service in the next 12 months.

Costs

What's squeezing margins

Share naming each as a top-3 cost pressure

Fuel 54%
Labor / wages 53%
Equipment / repairs 42%
Insurance 41%
Chemicals / supplies 38%

Top worries for the next 12 months

Competition & price pressure 51%
Economic uncertainty 47%
Labor availability 40%
Profitability

The bottom line isn't even

32%

report 21%+ profit margins

15%

were not profitable last year

36%

of businesses under $100k were not profitable*

52%

pay themselves a consistent salary

Owner pay tracks size: 26% of businesses under $100k pay themselves consistently, vs. 86% at $500k+.*

Lead flow is the #1 bottleneck overall (29%) and for the smallest shops (40%). Past $250k, hiring takes over.*

Margins shown are of those who shared a figure.

Safety & Compliance

The safety & compliance gap

Written safety program (SDS, JHA, tailgate talks)

Formal written program 34%
Inconsistent 33%
None yet 28%

Top safety concern

Ladders & fall protection 43%
Chemical handling 20%
Roof work 14%
  • Formal programs jump with size: 22% under $100k vs. 65% at $500k+.*
  • PWNA members are far more likely to have one: 42% vs. 27% of nonmembers.*
  • Only 27% use reclaim/containment when required. Another 27% rarely do, and 10% aren't sure what's required.
  • 89% carry general liability and 80% of shops with employees carry workers' comp.* Documentation and reclaim practice are the real gap.
Marketing & Operations

Marketing & ops lag the growth

  • Repeat customers and referrals(about two-thirds each) drive leads. Paid channels barely register, with Google Ads at just 16%.
  • 88% have a website, but 52% pay no one for marketing help.
  • Only 18% respond to a new lead within 5 minutes; 46% take until "same day."
  • 36% still schedule by calendar, text, and phone calls, including half of shops under $100k.*
Voices from the Field

In their own words

Price, stop racing to the bottom. Too many companies are working for employee wages.

— Survey respondent

Recommended pricing guidelines...would help educate customers, discourage unrealistic low-ball pricing, and support contractors who invest in quality, training, insurance, and professionalism.

— Survey respondent

Answer the phone and get the quote out!

— On what worked best last year
59% want more info

Training demand is business-side, not just technical

More than half want training in sales & pricing and commercial bids & contracts, followed by equipment maintenance and safety & compliance.

Sales & pricing · 57% Commercial bids/contracts · 57% Equipment maintenance · 41% Safety & compliance · 40%

Source: PWNA State of the Industry Survey, June–Oct 2026 · 235 responses · Percentages are of those answering each question; "top 3" questions allowed multiple answers. * Comparisons by size, membership, and growth are based on the 168 responses available for detailed analysis. Regional mix reflects where exterior cleaning demand is concentrated (Southeast 38%, Northeast 20%).

Power Washers of North America · pwna.org


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