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Pricing Intelligence

Pricing data sources

LeadDuo Pricing Intelligence uses public U.S. government statistics to show local labor costs and flag prices worth reviewing. Here is every source, what we use it for and how often it is updated.

The data we use

We load each release into our own database and never query an agency while you use the product. Each figure is shown with its reference period.

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Hourly wages at the 25th percentile, median and 75th percentile for HVAC technicians (SOC 49-9021), plumbers (SOC 47-2152), electricians (SOC 47-2111), maids and housekeeping cleaners (SOC 37-2012) and landscaping and groundskeeping workers (SOC 37-3011). Used for wage levels within one release, not for trends over time.

What we use it for
Local wage levels by occupation
Update cadence
Annual (May reference period)
Geography
Metro area, state, national

Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Average weekly wages for building equipment contractors (NAICS 2382: plumbing, HVAC and electrical contractors) and for services to buildings and dwellings (NAICS 5617: janitorial, carpet cleaning and landscaping services). This is the series behind the wage trend shown next to the Cost Index.

What we use it for
Wage trends by industry
Update cadence
Quarterly
Geography
Metro area, state, national

Producer Price Index (PPI)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Changes in producer prices for materials related to a service, including cleaning chemicals and equipment for cleaning work and fertilizer and turf equipment for landscaping. Used only to estimate how much input costs have moved since you last changed a price, for price-review alerts.

What we use it for
Material input price movement
Update cadence
Monthly
Geography
National

Regional Price Parities (RPP)

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)

How the overall price level in a state or metro area compares with the U.S. average.

What we use it for
Regional price levels inside the LeadDuo Cost Index
Update cadence
Annual
Geography
Metro area, state

HUD USPS ZIP Code Crosswalk

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Each ZIP code is assigned to the metro area where most of its residential addresses are. Your ZIP code is used only for this lookup.

What we use it for
Matching a ZIP code to its metro area
Update cadence
Quarterly
Geography
ZIP code → metro area

How the LeadDuo Cost Index works

The LeadDuo Cost Index compares relative labor and cost pressure in an area with the U.S. as a whole. The national level is 100: an index of 110 means costs in that area run about 10% higher than the national level for that trade.

It is calculated per trade and area from two input categories:

  • Local wages for the trade’s occupation, compared with the national wage (BLS OEWS).
  • Regional price levels, compared with the national average (BEA RPP).

When metro-area data is too thin to be reliable, the index uses state figures, then national figures, and says so next to the number. The index describes cost pressure, not a price, and it is not what any contractor charges. Exact weights and mappings are not published.

How Pricing Intelligence uses the data

Calculators

Enter a ZIP code in an HVAC, plumbing, electrical or cleaning calculator to see the local wage range and Cost Index. The loaded labor rate is calculated from the wage, burden, billable hours and margin you enter.

AI starting prices are labelled as estimates

When AI suggests a starting price for a Price Book item, it is always labelled as an AI starting estimate, not market data. If you add a ZIP code, only the labor portion of that estimate is adjusted for local wages.

Pricing checks use your own costs

Pricing health checks compare your prices with your own costs and your target margin. They never compare you with other contractors.

Price-review alerts

When local wages in your industry (QCEW) and related material prices (PPI) have moved enough since you last changed a price, the item is flagged for review with the drivers shown. This is an estimated movement, not a statement about local prices.

Calculators with regional labor data

Try it with your ZIP code:

2026 Contractor Labor Cost Index

The index, median wage and typical range for HVAC technicians, plumbers, electricians, cleaners and landscapers in the 50 largest U.S. metros, with 3-year wage trends.

Read the 2026 report →

Attribution and disclaimer

Underlying government statistics are public. LeadDuo Cost Index values are LeadDuo calculations derived from public economic data. This product uses data from BLS, BEA and HUD but is not endorsed or certified by those agencies.

Benchmarks are estimates for planning only. They are not quotes, guarantees or a statement of what any contractor charges. Actual costs and prices depend on the job, your business and your area — check every price against your own costs.