Janitors and cleaners: licensing, jobs and pay in the United States
2,199,900 people work as janitors and cleaners in the United States, and the median pay is $35,930 a year (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024).
The Census Bureau counts 67,799 janitorial service businesses with employees, with 1,088,193 employees and a payroll of $32,742,664,000 a year (2023 County Business Patterns).
Figures last updated on .
- Jobs
- 2,199,900
- Median pay, a year
- $35,930
- Businesses with employees
- 67,799
Janitors and cleaners by state
| State | Jobs | Median pay, a year | Businesses with employees | Businesses per 10,000 homes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 237,680 | $38,640 | 6,956 | 4.7 |
| New York | 186,370 | $39,920 | 3,762 | 4.4 |
| Texas | 181,520 | $31,230 | 3,858 | 3.2 |
| Florida | 128,160 | $31,540 | 6,675 | 6.5 |
| Illinois | 97,440 | $37,010 | 2,520 | 4.6 |
| Pennsylvania | 87,810 | $35,670 | 2,456 | 4.2 |
| Ohio | 76,500 | $34,710 | 1,960 | 3.7 |
| New Jersey | 67,590 | $37,320 | 2,068 | 5.5 |
| Virginia | 64,720 | $33,970 | 2,136 | 5.8 |
| Michigan | 64,190 | $35,000 | 1,712 | 3.7 |
| Massachusetts | 56,160 | $44,570 | 1,757 | 5.8 |
| North Carolina | 53,170 | $32,630 | 2,277 | 4.7 |
| Georgia | 53,160 | $33,130 | 2,013 | 4.4 |
| Washington | 48,470 | $43,720 | 2,166 | 6.6 |
| Indiana | 46,990 | $35,240 | 1,217 | 4.1 |
| Minnesota | 44,260 | $38,320 | 1,391 | 5.5 |
| Maryland | 42,730 | $36,090 | 1,436 | 5.6 |
| Wisconsin | 41,130 | $35,850 | 1,267 | 4.6 |
| Missouri | 41,010 | $34,080 | 1,194 | 4.2 |
| Tennessee | 37,440 | $31,220 | 1,182 | 3.8 |
| Arizona | 37,100 | $36,140 | 1,312 | 4.1 |
| Colorado | 36,250 | $37,270 | 1,571 | 6.1 |
| Nevada | 33,650 | $36,480 | 803 | 6.1 |
| South Carolina | 32,560 | $29,560 | 1,094 | 4.5 |
| Connecticut | 29,660 | $36,800 | 663 | 4.3 |
| Kentucky | 27,110 | $30,470 | 659 | 3.3 |
| Louisiana | 26,400 | $27,940 | 655 | 3.1 |
| Iowa | 26,340 | $36,130 | 647 | 4.5 |
| Alabama | 24,960 | $29,120 | 726 | 3.1 |
| Utah | 24,670 | $30,390 | 1,032 | 8.4 |
| Oregon | 24,260 | $37,550 | 1,248 | 6.7 |
| Oklahoma | 23,000 | $30,590 | 606 | 3.4 |
| Arkansas | 17,360 | $29,540 | 471 | 3.4 |
| Mississippi | 16,780 | $27,610 | 382 | 2.8 |
| Kansas | 15,820 | $32,690 | 642 | 5.0 |
| District of Columbia | 14,950 | $38,390 | 115 | 3.2 |
| New Mexico | 14,560 | $33,640 | 312 | 3.3 |
| Nebraska | 13,740 | $35,820 | 519 | 6.0 |
| Idaho | 11,320 | $35,360 | 659 | 8.3 |
| Hawaii | 10,010 | $37,120 | 365 | 6.4 |
| Maine | 9,800 | $38,560 | 426 | 5.7 |
| West Virginia | 9,390 | $30,590 | 194 | 2.3 |
| Montana | 9,200 | $37,390 | 509 | 9.6 |
| Delaware | 8,910 | $34,560 | 279 | 6.0 |
| New Hampshire | 8,910 | $37,860 | 373 | 5.8 |
| South Dakota | 8,290 | $33,940 | 270 | 6.6 |
| North Dakota | 6,860 | $36,660 | 250 | 6.6 |
| Rhode Island | 6,600 | $36,380 | 286 | 5.9 |
| Vermont | 5,220 | $38,630 | 214 | 6.3 |
| Alaska | 4,900 | $39,040 | 257 | 7.8 |
| Wyoming | 4,690 | $35,580 | 257 | 9.3 |
The highest median pay is in Massachusetts ($44,570), Washington ($43,720), New York ($39,920).
The lowest is in Mississippi ($27,610), Louisiana ($27,940), Alabama ($29,120).
What janitors and cleaners earn
| United States | |
|---|---|
| Median pay, a year | $35,930 |
| Median pay, an hour | $17.27 |
| 10th percentile | $27,570 |
| 25th percentile | $30,830 |
| 75th percentile | $41,650 |
| 90th percentile | $49,040 |
| Average pay, a year | $37,460 |
Federal rules and model codes for janitors and cleaners
An employer whose workers use hazardous chemicals, cleaning products among them, must keep safety data sheets, label containers and train workers under OSHA’s hazard communication standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).
A model code becomes law only where a state or city adopts it; the building or licensing department says which edition applies.
Licenses for janitors and cleaners
Licensing for this trade is set by each state, and often by the city or county as well; each state’s page links the official license lookup for it.
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Questions about Janitors and cleaners
How much do janitors and cleaners make?
The median pay for janitors and cleaners in the United States is $35,930 a year, and half earn between $30,830 and $41,650 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024).
How many janitors and cleaners are there in the United States?
2,199,900 people work as janitors and cleaners, by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2024 count of jobs.
Where do janitors and cleaners earn the most?
The highest median pay is in Massachusetts ($44,570), Washington ($43,720), New York ($39,920).
Do janitors and cleaners need a license?
Licensing is set by each state, and often by the city or county as well; the US Department of Labor’s License Finder lists the licenses each state requires and the agency that issues each.
Sources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
- US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023
- US Department of Labor, CareerOneStop License Finder
- OSHA hazard communication (29 CFR 1910.1200)
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are published by the US Census Bureau and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them. Rules are summarized from their official text, which governs; this page is not legal advice, and a state or city may add requirements of its own.
Figures last updated on .