Janitors and Cleaners Salary
Bureau of Labor Statistics title: Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
The median janitors and cleaners salary in the United States is $36,840 per year ($17.71/hour). Salaries range from $28,640 at the entry level to $50,270+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 2,209,760 janitors and cleaners jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 2% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Salary Distribution
Job Growth (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
Education Required
Training Needed
Janitors and Cleaners Career Guide
Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for janitors and cleanerss.
Janitors + commercial cleaners maintain buildings β offices, schools, hospitals, hotels, warehouses, manufacturing plants. Career splits: janitorial employee at cleaning company (largest segment), in-house janitor at hospital/school/office (better pay + benefits, often union), specialty cleaners (medical facilities, biohazard, industrial, floor care specialists), commercial cleaning business owner. Path is entry-level with meaningful advancement through specialization or ownership. Compensation: median $35-45k for employed janitors; union hospital + school janitors earn $50-72k+ with pension; specialty commercial cleaners $45-60k+; cleaning company owners $50k-$500k+ depending on scale.
Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For
How to Become a Janitors and Cleaners
- 1High school diploma preferred but not always requiredSome entry-level positions accept applicants without diploma. Reading + writing for chemical labels + reports required.
- 2Apply to janitorial company or facilityABM, ISS, Aramark, GDI, Compass Group, in-house positions at hospitals + schools.
- 3On-the-job training (typically 1-2 weeks)Company-specific training on chemicals + equipment + protocols. Safety + PPE training.
- 4Optional: OSHA + specialty certificationsOSHA 10-hour general + Hazcom + Bloodborne Pathogens. Higher-paying specialty roles require these.
- 5Specialize (floor care, medical facility, biohazard, industrial)Specialty commands 15-30% higher wages. Medical facility work often unionized with strong benefits.
- 6Move to lead / supervisor / shift lead role5-10 years experience. Supervise 3-8 janitors. First management role.
- 7Optional: Manager / District Manager roleOversee multiple accounts. Higher pay + salaried role. Requires strong management skills.
- 8Optional: Start own commercial cleaning businessLow barrier to entry ($1,000-5,000 startup). Highest income potential. Requires business + sales skills.
Career Progression
- β’Basic cleaning routes
- β’Following supervisor direction
- β’Learning equipment + chemicals
- β’Independent cleaning routes
- β’Specialty tasks (floor care, restrooms)
- β’Training new hires
- β’Supervise 3-8 janitors
- β’Quality inspections
- β’Chemical + equipment ordering
- β’Full site oversight
- β’Client relations
- β’Staffing + scheduling + hiring
- β’Multiple accounts oversight
- β’Business development + sales
- β’P&L responsibility
Interview Questions & Answers
5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 12 total plus resume bullets for every level.
Q1. Tell me about your cleaning experience.situational
Q2. How do you handle a spill or safety hazard?situational
Q3. Tell me about a difficult customer or tenant interaction.behavioral
Q4. Why our company / facility?culture
Q5. How do you manage your time on a busy shift?situational
Resume Template β Experienced Janitor (3-6 yrs)
Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.
- βΈJanitor, [Employer], responsible for cleaning 45,000 sq ft office building including 12 restrooms.
- βΈOSHA 10-hour + Bloodborne Pathogens + HAZCOM certified. Floor care specialist (strip + wax + burnish).
- βΈZero customer complaints + zero safety incidents in past 24 months.
- βΈTrained 4 new-hire janitors. All completed on-the-job training successfully.
What Gets You Rejected
- βUntidy or inconsistent work quality.
- βPoor safety awareness (PPE, chemical handling).
- βAttendance issues.
- βBad-mouthing supervisor or peers.
- βWeak communication with tenants + customers.
- βHistory of substance abuse or discipline issues.
- βPoor equipment care.
- βNot following posted or trained procedures.
Salary Negotiation Levers
- βHourly rate β specialty + certifications add $1-4/hr.
- βUnion facility premium (typically 25-50% higher pay + benefits).
- βShift differential (night + weekend + holiday).
- βSign-on bonus $500-3,000 in high-demand areas.
- βFull benefits (health, dental, vision, retirement) β huge difference between employed janitors + gig cleaners.
- βPTO + sick time.
- βOT eligibility.
- βCompany-provided uniforms + tools + chemicals.
- βCareer path to supervisor + management.
- βSteady schedule + predictable hours.
Janitors and Cleaners Resume Review β $29
Personalized resume review from someone who has hired janitors and cleanerss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.
- β Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
- β Rewrite suggestions for weak bullets
- β Missing skills / keywords flagged
- β Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
- β 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it
Janitors and Cleaners Career Kit β $19
- β All 12 interview questions with expert answers
- β 10 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
- β Interview format intel for 8 top employers
- β 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
- β Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
- β 30β60β90 day plan for your first role
- β Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
- β Detailed salary negotiation script
- β Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
- β Downloadable PDF for offline access
- β Instant access, no expiration, no subscription
One-time purchase. 7-day refund guarantee.
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Janitors and Cleaners Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) βSalary Map β Click a state for details
Top Paying States
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $45,580 | +23.7% |
| Washington | $45,520 | +23.6% |
| New York | $41,640 | +13.0% |
| California | $41,090 | +11.5% |
| Vermont | $40,910 | +11.0% |
| Alaska | $40,510 | +10.0% |
| Minnesota | $39,610 | +7.5% |
| Oregon | $39,340 | +6.8% |
| New Hampshire | $39,150 | +6.3% |
| Maine | $38,940 | +5.7% |
Janitors and Cleaners Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $46,590 | +26.5% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $46,550 | +26.4% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $46,490 | +26.2% |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $45,970 | +24.8% |
| Merced, CA | $45,920 | +24.6% |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $44,860 | +21.8% |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $44,820 | +21.7% |
| Napa, CA | $44,750 | +21.5% |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $44,680 | +21.3% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $44,180 | +19.9% |