3D printing machine hourly rates (all-in)

The all-in machine hourly rate is what one hour of FDM 3D Printing actually costs to run: depreciation (machine price ÷ useful hours), maintenance and spares, energy, consumables, and a share of floor space and insurance. It is the number professional shops use for quoting — and the one most hobby sellers forget.

Median all-in rates by continent

Continent	Median all-in rate	More
Europe	$1.8/hr	all Europe rates
North America	$2.3/hr	all North America rates
Asia	$1.1/hr	all Asia rates
South America	$1.4/hr	all South America rates
Africa	$1.2/hr	all Africa rates
Oceania	$2.5/hr	all Oceania rates

Community-reported figures from workshop submissions — indicative medians, not billed customer rates. Billed rates typically run 1.5–3× the internal cost once labor, overhead and margin are added.

How to calculate yours

Rate = (purchase price − resale value) ÷ expected working hours, plus average monthly maintenance ÷ monthly hours, plus kW draw × energy price, plus consumables. Track spindle/print hours honestly — utilization is the denominator that makes or breaks the number.

Typical part economics

At these rates, typical service prices land around $8-30 for a one-off part and $4-10 per part in batches of 100 (1-3 days lead time, ±0.3 mm tolerance, common materials: PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU, nylon, CF blends).