Car Detailing Prices: 2026 Price List by Service, Vehicle Size and Add-On
Published October 3, 2026 · By the LaunchKit team · How these guides are written
TL;DR: TopDetailers' 2026 study of advertised prices from 2,156 US detailers puts the median full detail at $259 (middle half $175 to $350), interior at $199 and exterior at $189. The median full detail is $249 for a sedan, $280 for an SUV and $300 for a truck. Thumbtack puts mobile detailing at $144 to $254.
How much does car detailing cost?
These figures come from TopDetailers, a detailer directory. It collected 20,688 advertised prices from 2,156 US detailers, last read in September 2026. They're advertised rates, not paid invoices or a survey.
| Service | Middle range | Median | Detailers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full detail | $175–$350 | $259 | 900 |
| Interior detail | $150–$250 | $199 | 912 |
| Exterior detail | $125–$265 | $189 | 655 |
| Hand wash | $44–$110 | $75 | 353 |
| Wash and wax | $65–$120 | $80 | 28 |
"Middle range" means the middle half of the advertised prices. The wash-and-wax row comes from only 28 detailers, so treat it as a rough guide.
Thumbtack gives mobile detailing a national average of $144 to $254, from $95 at the low end to $390 at the high end (updated April 15, 2026).
How much does a detail cost by vehicle size?
TopDetailers' full-detail prices by vehicle, as published by detailers:
| Vehicle | Middle range | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan or coupe | $165–$325 | $249 |
| SUV or crossover | $199–$370 | $280 |
| Truck or large SUV | $200–$400 | $300 |
Quick sum (our arithmetic from those medians): the SUV median is about 12% above the sedan median, and the truck median about 20% above. A size surcharge in that range is in line with the market.
How much should you charge for add-ons?
TopDetailers' advertised add-on prices:
| Add-on | Middle range | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Engine bay | $50–$80 | $60 |
| Pet hair removal | $39–$60 | $50 |
| Odor removal | $50–$100 | $75 |
| Headlight restoration | $70–$113 | $90 |
| Window tinting | $160–$350 | $250 |
| Paint correction | $349–$700 | $470 |
| Ceramic coating | $600–$1,399 | $950 |
| Paint protection film | $1,199–$3,800 | $1,999 |
Paint correction, ceramic coating and film need training and kit. Don't list them until you can do them well.
How do you set your detailing prices? Step by step
- Time each service. Track real hours for a sedan, an SUV and a truck.
- Set your hourly rate. Jobber's 2026 guide says detailers' hourly rates generally fall between $50 and $100.
- Add product costs. Work out the cost per job for chemicals, towels and pads.
- Add overhead. Insurance, fuel, phone, software and equipment wear.
- Add your margin. Jobber's formula: price = costs ÷ (1 − margin). Its example: $175 of costs ÷ 0.70 = $250 for a 30% margin.
- Check against the market. Compare with the medians above for your vehicle sizes.
- Build three packages. For example, a wash, an interior or exterior detail, and a full detail.
- Add surcharges in writing. Vehicle size, pet hair, heavy soiling, and a travel fee for mobile work.
- Review prices yearly. Product prices change, so your list should too.
For the general method, see how to price small business services.
What should a car detailing price list show?
- each package, with what's included
- the price by vehicle size
- add-ons with a price each
- condition surcharges, such as pet hair or heavy stains
- your service area and any travel fee
- deposit and cancellation terms
- how long each service takes
Keep "from" prices honest. If almost every car ends up costing more, say why on the list. Our truthful advertising checklist covers price claims.
Should beginners charge less?
Starting low to win reviews is common. The risk is that low prices stick.
Two safer ways in:
- Offer a short service list at full price, and do it very well.
- Give a first-visit discount with a clear end date, so your regular price is the one customers remember.
Do mobile detailers charge more?
Thumbtack's $144 to $254 average for mobile detailing sits below the $259 full-detail median in TopDetailers' study. The two sources measure different things, so don't read too much into the gap.
What's clear is that mobile work adds costs: driving time, fuel, water and power. Price them in with a travel fee or a service area.
Tools for your price list
The Car Detailer Price List & Service Menu ($4.99) is an editable one-page menu in HTML and Word that prints on US Letter.
The Car Detailer Pricing Calculator ($14.99) is an Excel workbook with a service pricing tab for your hourly rate, service hours and material costs, a quote builder and a job log.
Just starting out? Read our small business startup checklist.
FAQ
How much does a full car detail cost?
TopDetailers' study of advertised prices puts the median at $259, with the middle half at $175 to $350 (September 2026).
How much does interior detailing cost?
The median advertised interior detail is $199, with the middle half at $150 to $250.
How much should I charge for car detailing as a beginner?
Time your work, set an hourly rate, add product costs and overhead, then check against the market medians. Jobber says hourly rates generally fall between $50 and $100.
How much more is an SUV or truck?
In TopDetailers' study, the median full detail is $249 for a sedan, $280 for an SUV and $300 for a truck.
Sources
Checked October 1, 2026.
- TopDetailers, "Car detailing cost: what detailers actually charge (2026)" (20,688 advertised prices from 2,156 US detailers; service and vehicle tables; last read September 2026)
- Thumbtack, "Mobile car detailing prices" ($144–$254; $95 low; $390 high; updated Apr 15, 2026)
- Jobber, "Car detailing prices 2026: how much to charge for detailing services" ($50–$100 an hour; margin formula and $175 ÷ 0.70 = $250 example; last updated Apr 16, 2026)
These figures are advertised prices and platform data, not paid invoices or a survey. Prices vary by city, vehicle and condition. Check local prices before you set yours.
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