Handyman costs by city

Cities indexed

21

Hourly range, avg

$43–$73/hr

National median

$58/hr

The handyman market in the US

Handyman rates are indexed across 21 cities in 14 states, with hourly rates spanning $30.75/hr (Fort Worth, TX) to $113.13/hr (Los Angeles, CA). The national median is $58/hr across all indexed cities. Texas has the broadest coverage with 5 cities indexed.

Source: BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, adjusted for local cost of living. Read the methodology.

Arizona

1 city

California

3 cities

District of Columbia

1 city

Georgia

1 city

Illinois

1 city

Massachusetts

1 city

Minnesota

1 city

New York

1 city

North Carolina

1 city

Ohio

1 city

Oregon

1 city

Pennsylvania

1 city

Tennessee

2 cities

Texas

5 cities

Frequently asked

7 answers

What's the average hourly rate for a handyman in the US?

The national median rate is $58/hr across 21 indexed cities, with hourly ranges spanning $43/hr at the affordable end to $73/hr at the premium end. Rates vary based on local BLS OEWS wage data and cost of living.

Which city has the most expensive handyman rates?

Los Angeles, California sits at the top of the index for handyman services with rates of $67.88–$113.13/hr. High-cost coastal metros consistently command the highest rates.

Which city has the most affordable handyman rates?

Fort Worth, Texas has the lowest typical handyman rates at $30.75–$51.25/hr. Lower cost of living and wage levels in this metro flow through to consumer prices.

Why do handyman costs vary so much between cities?

Consumer rates track local wage data and cost of living. The same service in a high-cost coastal metro can cost 2–3× what it costs in a lower-cost inland city. The full geographic precision note explains how MSA-level data is applied per city.

Where is handyman coverage densest on this site?

Texas has the broadest coverage for handyman services with 5 indexed cities, reflecting both consistent BLS wage data and broad market presence in that state.

Are these prices what consumers pay, or what workers earn?

Consumer-facing rates. We apply industry-standard 1.5–2.5× multipliers to BLS hourly wages to account for business overhead, insurance, licensing, employer costs, and profit margin. The full calculation is documented in the wage-to-price methodology.

How is handyman pricing data updated?

Pricing reflects the BLS OEWS May 2024 release. The next refresh lands when May 2025 data is published in April 2026. Cadence is documented in the update schedule.

Data: BLS OEWS May 2024 · Methodology · Last refreshed January 2026