Average Drain Cleaning Cost | 2025 Report

Average Drain Cleaning Cost: 2025 Analysis

National pricing analysis based on 30,000+ verified service calls across residential drain cleaning methods

From September to November 2025, our research team analyzed drain cleaning costs across the United States using data from over 30,000 customer projects. Our analysis found that drain cleaning costs range from $100 to $800, depending on drain type, blockage severity, and cleaning method, with a national average of $242 for standard residential drain cleaning services.

This breakdown provides a comprehensive view of drain cleaning costs using verified market data from industry leaders, including Angi, HomeAdvisor, and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, covering regional variations, service types, and cost factors that impact total project expenses.

Key Findings:

• Cost by Drain Type: Kitchen sink cleaning averages $110-$215, while main sewer line cleaning ranges $200-$800 depending on clog location and accessibility.
• Cost by Service Method: Basic drain snaking costs $100-$275 for standard residential clogs, while hydro jetting services range $250-$800 for severe blockages and preventive maintenance.
• Additional Cost Factors: Camera inspections add $295-$350, emergency after-hours service increases costs by 30-50%, and multiple fixture clogs signal main line issues requiring $400-$800 repairs.
• Regional and Complexity Variations: West Coast and Northeast markets charge 20-40% above national averages, while clog severity and pipe accessibility can double base service costs.

Cost by Drain Type

Drain cleaning costs vary by fixture type, pipe diameter, and accessibility. Kitchen and bathroom fixtures with straightforward access cost less than main sewer lines that need specialized equipment and longer service times.

Key Insights:

• Main sewer line cleaning costs 82-264% more than fixture cleaning ($200-$800 vs. $100-$275) because jobs take 1-4 hours, need specialized equipment, and require cleanout access.
• Toilet clogs command premium pricing ($110-$275) due to toilet auger use, potential toilet removal ($150-$300), and higher sewage exposure risk.
• Kitchen sink cleaning is 5-10% higher than bathroom sinks ($110-$215 vs. $100-$225) because grease clogs demand higher torque tools and disposal inspection.

Cost by Service Method

Service method selection depends on clog severity, pipe condition, and preventive maintenance goals. Basic snaking handles most residential clogs, while hydro jetting addresses severe blockages and preventive cleaning.

Key Insights:

• Hydro jetting costs 67-220% more than snaking ($250-$800 vs. $100-$275) but removes all pipe buildup, making it best for recurring clogs with roots or heavy grease.
• Video camera inspections add $295-$350 but prevent misdiagnosis costs of $400-$800 by locating clogs, pipe damage, or root intrusion before repair.
• Machine snaking hits the optimal cost-effectiveness ($150-$275) for about 85% of residential clogs, outperforming hand snaking without the expense of jetting.

Additional Cost Factors

Base prices assume straightforward access during normal hours. Complexity factors raise costs through longer service time, specialty tools, or added repairs.

Key Insights:

• Emergency service adds 30-50% ($50-$175) because premium wages and urgent cleanup extend service time.
• Multiple fixture clogs point to main line issues, raising total costs to $400-$800 versus $100-$275 per single fixture.
• Tree root intrusion adds $200-$500 and often requires annual preventive maintenance ($150-$300) unless the pipe is replaced.

Regional and Complexity Variations

Geography and job difficulty drive price swings. Regional labor rates and cost of living shift the baseline, while clog severity and access challenges extend time and equipment needs.

Key Insights:

• West Coast and Northeast jobs run 20-40% higher ($175-$480) due to $85-$150/hr wages and licensing overhead.
• Clog severity can double or triple costs, jumping from $100-$275 baseline to $300-$825 for severe blockages that need jetting plus camera verification.
• Location often outweighs complexity: a simple clog in high-cost markets ($180-$200) can equal a moderate clog in low-cost regions ($200-$225).

Further Reading & Next Steps

These national averages provide budgeting benchmarks, but actual costs depend on your drain layout, clog severity, regional labor rates, and service timing.

Get Professional Assessment:

For homeowners experiencing persistent drain issues, professional plumbers provide video diagnostics, comprehensive cleaning solutions, and preventive maintenance programs. Contact licensed plumbing professionals at (732) 707-2968 for transparent pricing and expert drain cleaning services.

Sources

• C & C Air and Heat Drain Cleaning Cost Survey (2025)
• HomeAdvisor Cost Database: Aggregated pricing from 30,000+ verified residential drain cleaning service calls across the United States (2025 data)
• Angi (Angie’s List) Consumer Pricing: Customer-reported drain cleaning costs from completed projects with verified service provider data (2025 data)
• HomeGuide Contractor Surveys: National plumbing contractor pricing surveys covering drain cleaning methods, equipment costs, and regional rate variations (2025 data)
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupation Code 47-2152: National and regional plumber wage data used to validate labor cost components (2024 annual data)
• Roto-Rooter Franchise Pricing: Industry-standard pricing from the largest residential drain cleaning franchise network in North America
• Regional Cost-of-Living Indices: Geographic cost adjustment factors from Council for Community and Economic Research (2024 data)