Plumbing · SOC 47-2152

Drain Cleaning cost

Looking up drain cleaning cost? Start here: national mid planning estimate $142 before you type a ZIP, built from OEWS 47-2152 wages and the assumptions below — not lead-gen marketplace price tables.

Plumbing estimates swing on access, fixture grade, and whether the valve or flange is still good. For Drain Cleaning we use mid hours of 1.5 and materials around $25, then apply the same 2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5× labor markup schedule as every other Fairange job.

Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09

What this estimate can’t tell you. Roof pitch, an old house or code upgrades, tough access, permits, emergency or after-hours calls, and brand tier can push a real quote outside this range.
Hours (low / mid / high)
1 / 1.5 / 3
Materials band
$0 – $100
U.S. mid (before ZIP)
$142

single drain snake/auger; camera inspection extra. National OEWS mean wage used on this page: $34.70/hr (SOC 47-2152).

How the national mid is built

Before you enter a ZIP we use the U.S. OEWS mean wage for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152): $34.70/hr (BLS OEWS May 2025). Mid estimate ≈ 1.5 hours × $34.70 × 2.25× markup + materials mid $25 (with a small regional materials factor). Low uses p10 wages × 2.0×; high uses p90 × 2.5×. National planning band: $42 – $142 – $491.

Full algebra: methodology. Markup schedule is Fairange’s published assumption, not a BLS figure.

Materials band

Published materials low / mid / high: $0 / $25 / $100 (single drain snake/auger; camera inspection extra). Baselines are Fairange editorial figures tied to public retail when we have a SKU basket; full source notes live in DATA_SOURCES and the methodology page. We dampen materials with a regional factor (about 0.88–1.18) so wages — not a fake local parts market — do most of the geography.

What usually moves the number

What’s in the planning band

Labor for a standard residential swap or service, supply/drain reconnect in place, and the fixture/parts band above.

Ask about before you sign

Run this job on your ZIP Plumbing trade hub

Also: calculator · methodology · city guides · all job guides · DATA_SOURCES.

Drain Cleaning FAQ

How much does drain cleaning cost?

National mid planning estimate is about $142 before you enter a ZIP — labor from BLS OEWS May 2025 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152, national mean $34.70/hr) × published hours, plus materials. Local OEWS wages move the band once you type a ZIP.

What hours, materials, and markup do you assume?

Hours 1 / 1.5 / 3. Materials band $0 / $25 / $100 (single drain snake/auger; camera inspection extra), documented in DATA_SOURCES / methodology — not lead-gen marketplace price tables. Labor markup 2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5× (Fairange methodology).

Is this a bid?

No. It’s an educational planning range. Collect at least three written scopes from licensed pros and compare exclusions — permits, haul-away, patching, and code upgrades.

Any rebates or tax credits?

Not typically rebate-eligible.

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