FairangeHandyman · WA
Handyman costs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09 · estimates only
How this market compares
Skip the generic national blog post — this page is the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Handyman slice of OEWS May 2025. Mean hourly pay here sits about 19% above the national OEWS mean.
Among 530 OEWS areas with published Handyman wages, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue ranks #8 nationally on mean hourly pay ($30.84). Compared with other WA areas that report Handyman wages, this market is #1 of 13. Hourly wages stretch from $21.93 (10th percentile) to $42.23 (90th). That $20.30 gap is why two bids on the same scope can still look honest.
OEWS counts about 17,790 Maintenance and Repair Workers, General jobs in this area. Nationwide that occupation is about 1,529,700. Sample jobs: Garage Door Replacement mid estimate $1,257 here vs $1,157 U.S. (9% above); Garage Door Spring Repair mid estimate $266 here vs $235 U.S. (13% above); Gutter Cleaning mid estimate $184 here vs $155 U.S. (18% above).
Nearby / same-state markets worth checking: Kennewick-Richland ($29.94, 0.90 lower); Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard ($29.89, 0.95 lower); Mount Vernon-Anacortes ($29.64, 1.20 lower).
Local tip: Local code, permit fees, and how busy crews are this month move numbers as much as wage rates do.
Sample project ranges
| Project | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage Door Replacement | $638 | $1,257 | $2,913 |
| Garage Door Spring Repair | $107 | $266 | $628 |
| Gutter Cleaning | $66 | $184 | $516 |
| Pressure Washing (driveway & siding visit) | $103 | $269 | $685 |
| Handyman Hourly (general) | $44 | $69 | $106 |
Getting quotes without the circus
- Screenshot our mid/low/high band.
- Ask three licensed, insured pros for written scopes.
- Compare exclusions — permits, haul-away, thermostats, flashing — before crowning a winner.
What usually moves the number
- Scope surprises: duct repairs, panel upgrades, extra roof layers.
- How booked local crews are this season.
- Materials choices — we only nudge materials with a dampened regional factor. See methodology.
Rebates (verify; don’t trust a random Facebook ad)
Check IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE for any incentives that apply to this project. Start with IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE.
Check our math
BLS OEWS May 2025 · local hourly means the calculator uses
| Handyman (49-9071) | $30.84/hr mean |
Source: official BLS OEWS data for this area · area index: oessrcma.htm.
Contractor markup (2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5×) and the regional materials factor are ours — see methodology.
Paid listing for Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Handyman. Partner.
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