🏊Careers

Pool & Spa

Pool construction, maintenance, and hot tub services

$49k/yr median+4% growth (10-yr)159,800 openings/yrFast entry (<1 yr)License required

Wages & Job Outlook

$49k

Median wage

per year

$34k

Entry wage

per year

$76k

Top 10%

per year

160K

Annual openings

jobs per year

+4% projected job growth over 10 years — about average.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024) and Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024–34 projections.

Work-Life & Stability

Schedule

Full-time, heavy seasonal swing in summer

Environment

outdoor

Overtime

seasonal

Physical demand

high

Travel

Travel typically required

Hazard level

Moderate hazard

Moderately cyclical

Overview

Pool and spa professionals build, renovate, and maintain swimming pools and hot tubs. The trade covers plumbing, electrical, concrete/fiberglass, and water chemistry.

Day in the Life

Monday morning: weekly chemical service route (check 8 pools, balance chemistry, skim). Afternoon: consult on pool renovation project. Midweek: new pool construction site — plumbing rough-in. Friday: equipment repair calls (pump replacement, heater diagnostic). Quote incoming summer installs.

How to Get Started

On-the-Job Training

on-the-job

Pool service technicians typically start as route helpers and learn water chemistry

Duration: 1–2 yearsCost: Low / minimal tuition

Certification-First

certification-first

PHTA Certified Pool/Spa Operator (CPO) is the industry baseline credential

Duration: 2 daysCost: Low / minimal tuition

Trade School / Vocational Program

trade-school

Pool and spa technology programs at select vocational schools

Duration: 6–12 monthsCost: Moderate tuition

Find local pool & spa training near you

Programs, apprenticeship openings, and American Job Centers

Find training →

How to Pay for Your Training

Multiple funding programs can offset or eliminate the cost of training. Here are the most commonly applicable ones.

WIOA Individual Training Account (ITA)

Federally funded training voucher for eligible adults and dislocated workers. ITAs pay for approved programs at WIOA-eligible providers (ETPs). Amounts set by local Workforce Development Boards — typically $3,000–$12,000 per year depending on workforce area. Apply at your nearest American Job Center (CareerOneStop).

Up to $12,000

Apply →

Federal Pell Grant

Need-based federal grant up to $7,395/year for eligible students at accredited colleges and trade schools. Does not need to be repaid. Eligible programs include accredited community colleges, for-profit trade schools (UTI, Lincoln, etc.), and union training centers that are accredited institutions.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

Workforce Pell Grant (SAVES Act)

Starting July 1, 2026, Pell Grant eligibility expands to high-quality short-term workforce programs (8–15 weeks) at eligible institutions. For the first time, trade training programs under 600 hours are Pell-eligible — including many HVAC, electrical, and welding certificates. Students earn the same need-based amount as longer programs.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

GI Bill (Post-9/11, Chapter 33) — Apprenticeship

Post-9/11 GI Bill covers On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Registered Apprenticeship programs. Veterans receive a monthly housing allowance (MHA, based on E-5 w/dependents BAH at program location) that scales up as they advance through the apprenticeship. Covers full 3–5 year apprenticeship programs.

Up to $3,200

Apply →

See all programs you may qualify for →

Career Ladder

Pool Service Helper

$30k/yr

0–1 yrs exp.

Assists with chemical service and basic maintenance

Pool Technician

$40k/yr

1–3 yrs exp.

Runs service route, handles equipment repairs

Senior Pool Technician

$54k/yr

3–8 yrs exp.

Handles construction installs and complex equipment

Pool Builder/Designer

$72k/yr

8+ yrs exp.

Designs and manages new pool construction projects

Pool & Spa Contractor

$90k/yr

5+ yrs exp.

Owns pool service and/or construction company

Licensing by State

State	Required?	License type	Issuing body
CA	Yes	C-53 Swimming Pool Contractor	CSLB (Contractors State License Board)
TX	Yes	Swimming Pool & Spa Contractor	TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation)
FL	Yes	Commercial/Residential Swimming Pool/Spa Contractor (CPC)	Florida DBPR / CILB (Construction Industry Licensing Board)
NY	No	–	–
IL	No	–	–
PA	Yes	Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration	Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (Bureau of Consumer Protection)
OH	No	–	–
GA	Yes	Residential Basic / Residential-Light Commercial / General Contractor (no pool-specific class)	Georgia Secretary of State — State Licensing Board for Residential & General Contractors
NC	Yes	Swimming Pool (SP) classification — General Contractor license	NCLBGC (NC Licensing Board for General Contractors)
MI	Yes	Residential Maintenance & Alteration Contractor — Swimming Pools (trade code "S")	Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes (Residential Builders' & M&A Contractors' Board)
WA	Yes	Construction Contractor Registration (General or Specialty)	Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)
AZ	Yes	Swimming Pool classifications (A-9 Commercial / B-5 Residential / dual KA-5; CR-6 / C-6 / R-6 service & repair)	Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC)
VA	Yes	Swimming Pool Construction (POL) specialty under Class A/B/C contractor license	Virginia DPOR — Board for Contractors
NJ	Yes	Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration	NJ Division of Consumer Affairs — Office of Consumer Protection (Home Improvement Unit)
TN	Yes	Contractor license — Swimming Pools specialty under BC (Building Construction) classification	Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (TDCI)

Time to Enter

Time to journeyman2 yrs

Fast-entry trade — earning wages in <1 year possible

Wages (BLS 2024)

Entry (10th pct)$34k

Median$49k

Top 10%$76k

BLS OEWS May 2024. Wages vary by state and employer.

Compare all trades side-by-side →Find training funding →

Own a pool & spa business?

Verified · 2 sources

What it's worth today — the starting point for weighing any exit.

First Page Sage

PE / strategic buyer

5×–10×

× EBITDA

Peak Business Valuation

Appraisal / small business

2.5×–5×

× SDE

The two lenses differ on purpose: PE / strategic buyers pay a multiple of EBITDA (management-run, platform-scale), while an appraisal / small-business value is a multiple of SDE (owner-operated). Most trades land between the two.

Full valuation breakdown →Explore exit paths →