How Much Do Car Detailers Make? (Per Car, Per Day, Per Year)
6 min read·Updated June 2026
The short answer
Details bill roughly $50 to $350 per car, and a mobile detailer can complete two to four a day. That puts a full-time detailer around $40,000 to $80,000 a year, with high-end and ceramic-coating specialists earning more per job and more overall.
Mobile vs. shop
Mobile detailing has low overhead and lets you charge a convenience premium for coming to the client. A fixed shop costs more to run but can handle more volume and walk-ins. Many detailers start mobile and add a location later.
Per year
- Solo mobile: roughly $40,000 to $80,000.
- With high-ticket services and repeat fleet work: higher.
How to earn more
- Sell ceramic coatings, the highest-ticket service in detailing.
- Offer packages and memberships for recurring revenue.
- Land recurring fleet and dealership accounts.
- Upsell condition-based add-ons (pet hair, stain removal, engine bay).
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