How Much Can Auto Detailing Businesses Make?

Owning and operating your own car detailing business is really a very lucrative business opportunity. Just think about it – Every car, pick up truck, van, mini van and even motorcycle is a potential customer! All you have to do (besides doing awesome work) is figure out how you are going to get the “message” out to the individuals and companies that own these vehicles and tell them all about your services. You will also need to develop the right detailing services and value packages to fit all customer budgets. Watch Our “Make Big Money Detailing Cars” Video.

So as you can see the enormity of the possibilities here. It will take some planning, discipline and a lot of hard work, but Rome wasn’t built over night, but when it was, it was an empire that none could match. And your detailing business can also be that empire! Detail King can help you with everything you need from supplies, to equipment and even training to put you on the fast track to success! Also, Detail King has an Auto Detailing Business Plan that you should strongly consider reviewing – a business plan is the start of your roadmap to success!

We will teach you how to obtain commercial, fleet, and retail accounts by engaging your prospects and customers through social media channels like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, SnapChat and of course YouTube. You will begin to build a customer base where the majority of your business will be repeat customers and this will also result in referral customers. The profit tables below are based on the least expensive auto detailing services that you will provide. Not pie-in-the-sky possibilities! Learn more about our Auto Detailing Training Programs.

The following chart indicates the earnings that are possible if you were to operate mobile, full time or part time and only offer your least expensive services. The average , for a basic wash & wax service starts at about $69.95 per car, a machine polish and wax is $149 to $249, and the average interior detail is $119 – $199. Of course, what you choose to charge is entirely up to you. Ceramic Coatings are starting to get very popular so you may want to consider providing them for an even greater profit making opportunity!

How Much Can an Auto Detailer Make in One Year?

Gross Income For The Period Of:    

1 Day of Work     1 Week (5 Days)     1 Month (20 Days)     1 Year (240 Days)    

If you wax only 2 cars per day

$139.90 $699.50 $2,798.00 $33,576.00

If you wax only 4 cars per day

$279.80 $1,399.00 $5,596.00 $67,152.00

If you wax only 6 cars per day

$419.70 $2,098.50 $8,394.00 $100,728.00

The average price of a complete detail — which would include an exterior machine polishing service and interior detailing service —would be about $350-$450. Let’s say you started part time working just the weekend detailing two cars per day. Your gross earnings could be between $1000 per weekend or up to $4,000 per month. Talk about some extra income!

Keep in mind that the average cost for supplies per car is about $15-20. Your other variable expenses — advertising, transportation, office expenses, insurance, utilities, etc. still need to be factored in but should not be tremendous.

Think of the potential even for a part-time business operated only on the weekend! It will take time to ramp-up to having 4 cars scheduled every weekend @ $350-450 per car but it can happen if you are serious about making this opportunity work! Detail King is committed to helping you achieve your goals. 

Even high school and college students can earn a great summer income and have an excellent experience running their own business. Let’s say you only work 5 days a week during the three summer months and only detail 1 car a day. You have the potential to gross $21,000 – that beats the heck out of flipping burgers!

How Much Can an Auto Detailer Make in One Summer?

1 Day Per Week     5 Days Per Week     20 Days Per Month     Work June Thru August    

Detail 1 Car a Day    

$350 $1,750 $7,000 $21,000

Detail 2 Cars a Day    

$700 $3,500 $14,000 $42,000

Detail 3 Cars a Day    

$1050 $5,250 $21,000 $63,000