How Much Does a Sewer Jetter Cost? Complete Buying Guide for Plumbers
If you are shopping for a sewer jetter, you have probably noticed the price range is enormous—from $1,500 handheld units to $50,000+ truck-mounted systems. Here is a straightforward breakdown of what you will actually spend, what you get at each price point, and where your money matters most.
Sewer Jetter Price Tiers
Entry Level: $1,500-$4,000
These are typically handheld or small cart-mounted electric jetters producing 1-3 GPM at 1,500-2,500 PSI. They handle small residential lines—bathroom sinks, tub drains, and short runs. They will not clear a main sewer line.
Best for: Plumbers testing the waters with jetting or supplementing a snake for small drain work.
Limitations: Not enough power for 4-inch and larger lines. Limited hose length. You will outgrow it quickly if jetting becomes a significant part of your business.
Mid-Range: $5,000-$15,000
Cart-mounted or skid-mounted gas-powered jetters producing 4-12 GPM at 3,000-4,000 PSI. This is the sweet spot for most residential and light commercial drain cleaning operations.
Best for: Dedicated drain cleaning professionals handling residential mains, kitchen lines, and light commercial work.
What you get: Enough power for 2-inch through 8-inch lines, 200+ feet of hose capacity, and the versatility to handle most calls.
Professional: $15,000-$35,000
Trailer-mounted or van-mounted units with higher GPM and PSI ratings, larger water tanks, and hose reels. Built for daily commercial use.
Best for: Full-time drain cleaning operations handling commercial accounts, municipal work, and high-volume residential.
Commercial/Municipal: $35,000-$100,000+
Truck-mounted vactor-style units or large trailer systems with 18+ GPM, vacuum capabilities, and industrial components. These are for dedicated sewer maintenance fleets.
The Real Cost: Beyond the Machine
The jetter itself is just the start. Budget for these essentials:
Nozzles: $200-$1,500
You need multiple nozzles for different situations. A solid starting kit includes a penetrator, flusher, grease nozzle, and root cutter. Professional nozzles with replaceable inserts cost more upfront but save significantly over time—you replace $20-$40 inserts instead of $100+ complete nozzles.
Hose: $300-$2,000
Jetter hose wears out. Budget for replacement hose annually if you are jetting daily. Buy quality hose—cheap hose fails at the worst times and under the highest pressure.
Water Supply: $500-$3,000
If your jetter does not connect to a customer hose bib, you need a water tank. A 200-300 gallon tank handles most residential jobs. Factor in the tank, mounting, and plumbing.
Sewer Camera: $2,000-$10,000
Not technically part of the jetter, but you should not be jetting without one. Pre and post inspection is how you diagnose correctly, prove your work, and avoid callbacks.
Calculating Your ROI
Here is a simple way to think about the investment:
- Average jetting job: $450
- Jobs per week: 8-10 (conservative for a full-time operation)
- Weekly revenue: $3,600-$4,500
- Monthly revenue: $14,400-$18,000
A $10,000 jetter pays for itself in under a month at those numbers. Even at half that volume, you are looking at a 60-90 day payback period. Few equipment investments in the trades offer that kind of return.
New vs Used
Used jetters can save 30-50% but come with risks:
- Pump wear: The pump is the most expensive component to rebuild. Check hours and maintenance records.
- Hose condition: Used hose is a gamble. Budget for replacement.
- Engine hours: Gas engines on jetters run hard. High hours mean maintenance is coming.
If buying used, have a mechanic inspect the unit. A "deal" on a jetter with a worn pump is not a deal at all.
Where to Spend and Where to Save
Spend on: The pump (heart of the system), quality nozzles, and good hose. These directly affect your results and reliability.
Save on: Cosmetics, fancy reels (basic works fine starting out), and brand premiums. A well-maintained mid-range jetter outperforms a neglected premium unit every day.
The Bottom Line
For most plumbers entering drain cleaning, budget $8,000-$15,000 for a capable jetter setup including nozzles and hose. That gets you a machine that handles residential and light commercial work—the bread and butter of the drain cleaning business.
Invest in quality nozzles from the start. They are the part of the system that directly contacts the problem, and they make the difference between a one-pass clean and a three-pass struggle.
Shop nozzles at jetterprosupply.com or call (866) 595-0515.