How much does it cost to run a pressure washer?
A pressure washer costs about 32¢ per hour, 4.6¢ a day, $1.41 a month and $8 a year at typical use (1 hour a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Electric pressure washers draw 13-15 A (1,500-1,800 W) while the trigger is pulled; most homes use one a few times a year.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.26 | 4.6¢ | $1.41 | $17 |
| 2 hours | 0.51 | 9.3¢ | $2.82 | $34 |
| 4 hours | 1.03 | 19¢ | $5.63 | $68 |
| 8 hours | 2.06 | 37¢ | $11.26 | $135 |
| 12 hours | 3.09 | 56¢ | $16.90 | $203 |
| 24 hours | 6.17 | $1.11 | $33.79 | $406 |
Cost to run a pressure washer in every state
The same pressure washer costs $6 a year in North Dakota and $20 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 22¢ | $0.96 | $6 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 23¢ | $0.99 | $6 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 23¢ | $1.01 | $6 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 23¢ | $1.02 | $6 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 24¢ | $1.04 | $6 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 24¢ | $1.05 | $6 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 24¢ | $1.05 | $6 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 24¢ | $1.06 | $6 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 25¢ | $1.07 | $6 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 25¢ | $1.08 | $6 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 25¢ | $1.09 | $7 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 25¢ | $1.09 | $7 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 25¢ | $1.10 | $7 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 25¢ | $1.11 | $7 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 25¢ | $1.11 | $7 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 26¢ | $1.11 | $7 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 27¢ | $1.16 | $7 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 27¢ | $1.16 | $7 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 27¢ | $1.18 | $7 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 27¢ | $1.18 | $7 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 28¢ | $1.20 | $7 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 28¢ | $1.20 | $7 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 28¢ | $1.21 | $7 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 28¢ | $1.21 | $7 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 28¢ | $1.21 | $7 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 28¢ | $1.22 | $7 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 29¢ | $1.25 | $7 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 29¢ | $1.27 | $8 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 30¢ | $1.29 | $8 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 30¢ | $1.29 | $8 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 30¢ | $1.30 | $8 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 30¢ | $1.33 | $8 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 32¢ | $1.39 | $8 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 33¢ | $1.43 | $9 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 34¢ | $1.47 | $9 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 34¢ | $1.47 | $9 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 37¢ | $1.62 | $10 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 38¢ | $1.65 | $10 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 38¢ | $1.65 | $10 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 43¢ | $1.86 | $11 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 43¢ | $1.86 | $11 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 44¢ | $1.89 | $11 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 48¢ | $2.09 | $13 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 48¢ | $2.10 | $13 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 50¢ | $2.19 | $13 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 51¢ | $2.22 | $13 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 53¢ | $2.29 | $14 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 53¢ | $2.29 | $14 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 55¢ | $2.38 | $14 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 59¢ | $2.58 | $15 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 78¢ | $3.41 | $20 |
How to cut the cost
- Use a surface cleaner attachment for driveways to finish 2-4 times faster.
- Pre-soak with detergent so you need fewer passes.
- Release the trigger between areas; total-stop systems shut the motor off.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Cleans flat surfaces much faster, cutting run time.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure washer | 1,800 | 1 hour a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year | $1.41 | $8 |
| Leaf blower | 1,200 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year | $0.47 | $3 |
| Shop vac | 1,200 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.23 | $3 |
| Air compressor | 1,500 | 1 hour a day, 1 days a week | $0.59 | $7 |
| Electric chainsaw | 1,800 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year | $0.70 | $4 |
| Electric snow blower | 1,700 | 45 minutes a day, 2 days a week for 4 months a year | $1.99 | $8 |
| Electric lawn mower (corded) | 1,400 | 45 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 7 months a year | $0.82 | $6 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a pressure washer per hour?
A pressure washer drawing 1,800 watts uses 1.80 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 32¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 22¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 78¢.
How much does it cost to run a pressure washer per month?
At typical use (1 hour a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year), a pressure washer costs about $1.41 a month while in use and $8 a year over the 6 months it's typically used, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a pressure washer use?
Most pressure washers use 1,200 to 1,900 watts. Starting surge can reach 2,500 W. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a pressure washer use?
About 0.26 kWh a day and 47 kWh a year at typical use (1 hour a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year).
Does a pressure washer use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 47 kWh a year it's a small share (0.4%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a pressure washer or a leaf blower?
At typical use, a pressure washer costs about $8 a year versus $3 for a leaf blower. So the leaf blower is cheaper by about $6 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a pressure washer?
- Use a surface cleaner attachment for driveways to finish 2-4 times faster.
- Pre-soak with detergent so you need fewer passes.
- Release the trigger between areas; total-stop systems shut the motor off.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.