How much does laser cleaning cost per hour?-GoldLaser

This is the biggest cost driver. Higher power lasers are more expensive to manufacture and purchase, and this cost is passed on to the customer.

Low-Power (50W - 200W): Best for delicate work like rust removal from small tools, restoring artwork, or cleaning molds. ~$5 - $10/hour.
Medium-Power (200W - 500W): The most common range for industrial applications like removing rust, paint, and coatings from metal parts, weld preparation, and general surface cleaning. ~$10 - $20/hour.
High-Power (500W - 1000W+): Used for heavy-duty tasks like stripping thick epoxy coatings, cleaning large structural steel, or de-rusting ship hulls. These units are highly efficient and can clean very fast. ~$20 - $30+/hour.

What you're removing and what you're removing it from matters.

Easy: Light rust, light paint, oil, dust on a flat metal surface. (Lower cost)
Moderate: Heavy rust, multiple layers of paint, rubber residue.
Difficult: Thick epoxy, mill scale, lead-based paint, radioactive contamination, or cleaning a delicate substrate like marble or historical stone that requires very careful settings. (Higher cost)

Small Job / One-Off: Often has a higher effective hourly rate or a high minimum charge (e.g., 2-4 hour minimum) to cover setup and mobilization.
Large, Ongoing Project: Contractors will offer a much lower hourly rate for a long-term project with guaranteed work.
Site Preparation: Is the area easily accessible? Does it require containment for fumes or debris? Complex site prep adds to the time and cost.

Experience: A highly trained operator with a proven track record can command a higher rate due to efficiency and quality of work.
Geographic Location: Labor and business costs vary by region. Services in major metropolitan areas or remote locations will generally be more expensive.