Uniform rental bundles garments, weekly laundering, repairs, and replacement into a per-wearer weekly rate. Most programs land between $4 and $12 per employee per week; FR and hi-vis programs run higher.
Typical weekly rental rates
Published industry ranges — actual quotes vary by market, volume, and route density. Treat these as sanity checks, not promises.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Standard workwear (shirt+pant) | $4 – $9 / wearer / week |
| Chef wear | $5 – $11 / wearer / week |
| FR / hi-vis garments | $8 – $18 / wearer / week |
| Shop towels | $0.10 – $0.25 each |
Ranges only go so far — your zip code sets the real price.
What actually moves your price
- Headcount. Bigger crews get better per-wearer rates.
- Garment spec. FR-rated and specialty fabrics cost meaningfully more.
- Turnover. Employee churn triggers setup/emblem fees per new wearer — ask how they’re billed.
Watch the contract, not just the rate
The per-item rate is the headline; the money hides in loss & damage billing, delivery and fuel fees, minimums, and automatic escalators. Our guide to contract questions covers what to pin down before signing.
Common questions
Rental vs uniform allowance?
Rental wins when appearance and compliance must be consistent; allowances win for low-wear office settings.
What are emblem and setup fees?
One-time per-garment charges for logos and name tags — negotiable at signing.