How Much Does a Street Sweeper Charge per Hour?

In 2025, hiring a truck-mounted street sweeper with an operator typically costs $130–$220 per hour in the United States, with big-city or high-demand work reaching $250–$300 and rural jobs sometimes coming in at $100–$140; most contractors enforce 3–4 hour minimums plus travel and disposal fees. Prices vary by region, machine type, debris volume, and whether the work is daytime, overnight, or on public-works prevailing wage.

What Drives the Price

Street sweeping rates are shaped by a mix of market conditions and job specifics. Understanding these variables will help you anticipate costs and negotiate a realistic quote.

• Location and market demand: Dense metros and coastal regions tend to be pricier than rural areas due to higher labor, disposal, and traffic-management costs.
• Machine type: Regenerative air and vacuum sweepers (good for fine dust and millings) often cost more than mechanical broom units; high-capacity units command premiums.
• Job type and difficulty: Construction track-out control, milling/paving support, and post-storm cleanup cost more than light curb runs or low-debris routes.
• Disposal logistics: Landfill or transfer-station fees, distance to dump sites, and whether the contractor or client handles disposal affect the bottom line.
• Mobilization and travel: Drive time to and from the site is frequently billed or covered by a flat mobilization fee.
• Schedule and access: Night, weekend, holiday, or tight-window work usually carries a premium; sites requiring escorts or security add time.
• Prevailing wage/public works: Government jobs with wage requirements, certified payroll, and compliance documentation typically run higher.
• Surface and debris: Heavy mud, track-out, millings, leaves, and sand increase time; frequent water refills slow production.
• Season and weather: Spring debris surges or storm-response work can tighten supply and raise rates; freezing conditions can require de-icing and special handling.

Together, these factors explain why two similar-looking jobs can produce very different quotes; clarifying them upfront helps align expectations and reduce surprise charges.

Typical Add-ons and Minimums

Beyond the hourly base, many contractors apply minimums and surcharges to cover their fixed costs, regulatory obligations, and variable operating expenses.

• Minimum hours: Commonly 3–4 hours per dispatch; some markets set a 2-hour minimum for nearby sites.
• Mobilization/travel: Flat fees ($75–$250+) or zone-based charges, sometimes replaced by billing portal-to-portal time.
• Disposal/dump fees: Per load ($75–$200) or by weight ($35–$120 per ton), depending on debris and facility rates.
• Water refill time: Often billable as part of the hourly rate; on-site hydrant access can reduce time.
• Fuel or environmental surcharge: Frequently 3–8% of labor to offset diesel and compliance costs.
• Standby/delay time: Charged at the full or a reduced hourly rate if the sweeper is onsite but idle.
• After-hours/holiday premiums: Typically 10–30% above standard rates for nights, weekends, or holidays.
• Traffic control/flagging: Usually billed separately unless explicitly included.
• Additional equipment: Water trucks, brooms, or a second sweeper add separate hourly lines.

When comparing bids, confirm what’s included in the hourly number versus listed as a separate line item so you can evaluate true total cost.

Going Rates by Region (snapshot 2025)

Rates below reflect typical ranges advertised by contractors and seen in recent bid tabs; actual pricing depends on local disposal fees and demand.

• US West Coast (e.g., CA, WA, OR): $175–$250+ per hour
• US Mountain/Desert (e.g., AZ, NV, CO, UT): $140–$200 per hour
• US Midwest: $130–$180 per hour
• US Northeast: $160–$230 per hour
• US Southeast: $120–$170 per hour
• Canada: C$170–C$250 per hour
• United Kingdom: £95–£160 per hour
• Australia: A$180–A$260 per hour
• New Zealand: NZ$180–NZ$240 per hour

Local landfill pricing, congestion, and the availability of specialized sweepers (e.g., for milling operations) are the strongest regional cost drivers.

Examples: What a Small Job Might Cost

These scenarios illustrate how minimums and add-ons translate into real invoices; your results will vary based on debris volume, access, and distance to disposal sites.

1. Construction track-out control: 4-hour minimum at $185/hr = $740, plus $150 mobilization and one disposal load at $120; estimated total ≈ $1,010 before taxes/surcharges.
2. Night paving support (mill-and-fill): 6 hours at $210/hr = $1,260, with 1 hour standby at $160/hr and two dump runs at $100 each; estimated total ≈ $1,620.
3. Event cleanup on arterials: 3.5 hours at $160/hr = $560, $90 travel, and no dump fee (client’s facility); estimated total ≈ $650.

In practice, small dispatches commonly land between $600 and $1,200 all-in, while extended paving or construction support shifts can reach several thousand dollars.

Alternatives: Monthly Lot Sweeping or Equipment Rental

Parking-lot sweeping (per visit, not hourly)

Retail and office lots are typically priced per sweep rather than per hour, using smaller sweepers. Light-duty service often runs $70–$200 per visit for small lots and scales up with size, debris, and frequency.

Equipment rental (without operator)

Bare rentals of full-size street sweepers generally cost about $900–$1,600 per day, $3,000–$5,500 per week, or $6,500–$9,500 per month, plus delivery, cleanup, and insurance. Operating these units typically requires a CDL, familiarity with disposal regulations, and maintenance know-how; many customers find operator-included service more economical for short runs.

How to Get a Solid Quote

A precise scope speeds up bidding and reduces contingencies that inflate prices. Provide specifics so contractors can estimate time, dump needs, and scheduling.

• Exact location(s) and access constraints
• Type of work (construction track-out, milling support, routine curb run, event cleanup)
• Estimated area to be swept and surface types
• Debris type and volume (mud, millings, leaves, sand, trash)
• Water source availability and hydrant access
• Disposal responsibility and preferred facility, if any
• Work window (day/night, weekday/weekend) and traffic-control needs
• Any compliance requirements (prevailing wage, SWPPP, documentation)
• Billing terms and whether you need an all-inclusive price

With consistent details, you can compare apples-to-apples and decide between a lower hourly rate with more add-ons or an all-in figure that caps risk.

Bottom Line

Expect to pay about $130–$220 per hour in the U.S. for a truck-mounted street sweeper with operator in 2025, with urban peaks at $250–$300 and common 3–4 hour minimums plus mobilization and disposal fees. Clarify scope, debris, schedule, and who handles dumping to get accurate, comparable quotes and avoid add-on surprises.

How much should I charge to clean a parking lot?

That said, we want to share some general ballpark rates you can use as a reference: Small lots (under 50,000 sq ft): $50-$150 per visit. Medium lots (50,000-100,000 sq ft): $150-$350 per visit. Large lots (over 100,000 sq ft): $350-$1,000+ per visit.

How much do you get paid to be a street sweeper?

Street Sweeper Operator Salary in Los Angeles, CA

	Annual Salary	Weekly Pay
Top Earners	$65,728	$1,264
75th Percentile	$56,000	$1,076
Average	$47,752	$918
25th Percentile	$39,300	$755

How much does a road sweeper cost?

Compact Sweepers: Ideal for smaller jobs, these can cost around £100 to £200 per day. Truck-Mounted Sweepers: For larger tasks, prices might start from £700 to £850 per day, depending on the model and capabilities.

How much to charge for street sweeping?

The majority of street sweeping services will charge between $45-$75 per hour in the U.S. Let’s take a closer look at how much you can expect to pay for parking lot cleanings and street sweeping services. How Much Does Street Sweeping Cost Per Hour?