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Janitor: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$36,840median pay per year, or $17.71 an hour, May 2025[2]
  1. $28,640lowest 10% earn less
  2. $32,24025th percentile
  3. $36,840median
  4. $44,06075th percentile
  5. $50,270top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

A janitor job usually needs no formal education[1], and the median pay for the BLS category was $36,840 a year in May 2025[2]. Jobs are projected to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+2.2%[3]
Openings per year
321,800[6]
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential[1]

How much do janitors make?

BLS counts janitors in the category Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners.

The median pay was $36,840 a year, or $17.71 an hour[2]. Half of the workers earned more and half earned less[2]. The average was $38,760 a year, or $18.64 an hour[7]. For all occupations in the US, the median annual wage was $50,980[5].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $28,640 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $50,270[4]. Hourly, those two lines were $13.77 and $24.17[8]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[4][8] $28,640 $13.77
25th[4][8] $32,240 $15.50
Median[2] $36,840 $17.71
75th[4][8] $44,060 $21.18
90th[4][8] $50,270 $24.17

These wages cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses and the cost of benefits[10]. About 2,209,760 people held these wage and salary jobs in May 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

Massachusetts had the highest median wage at $45,580, followed by Washington at $45,520 and New York at $41,640[12]. Mississippi had the lowest listed median at $28,380[12].

California had the most jobs at 234,240, then New York at 195,250 and Texas at 184,840[13]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Longview-Kelso, WA had the highest median at $46,590, followed by Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH at $46,550[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs at 183,030, with a median of $42,840[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Massachusetts[12]$45,58055,490
Washington$45,52047,380
New York$41,640195,250
California$41,090234,240
Vermont$40,9105,130
Alaska$40,5105,200
Minnesota$39,61042,300
Oregon$39,34025,890
New Hampshire$39,1509,420
Maine$38,9409,180
Colorado$38,60034,220
District of Columbia$38,52016,400
Nevada$38,42032,830
Connecticut$37,96028,740
Illinois$37,81093,760
North Dakota$37,7506,720
Hawaii$37,71011,230
New Jersey$37,63067,660
Rhode Island$37,3107,270
Montana$37,1108,320
Wisconsin$37,00045,640
Maryland$36,62040,390
Pennsylvania$36,52086,920
Indiana$36,46049,220
Arizona$36,22038,290
Idaho$36,11010,800
Michigan$36,05065,790
Wyoming$36,0504,760
New Mexico$36,02014,360
Missouri$35,90041,070
Nebraska$35,90012,860
Ohio$35,90072,540
South Dakota$35,4808,630
Iowa$35,38023,960
Delaware$35,3209,220
Virginia$35,17065,970
North Carolina$34,50053,330
Florida$34,490131,900
Kansas$34,48017,220
Georgia$34,31055,660
Tennessee$33,44038,120
Texas$33,010184,840
Kentucky$32,32025,750
Utah$32,20024,710
South Carolina$31,18030,100
Oklahoma$31,11023,620
West Virginia$30,9809,340
Alabama$30,62025,110
Arkansas$29,75019,490
Louisiana$28,93027,610
Mississippi$28,38015,940

How to become a janitor

No work experience in a related job is typical[1]. Useful skills named in the OOH include getting along with others, basic mechanical know-how, stamina, strength and time management[19][20][21][22][23].

What janitors do

O*NET describes the job as keeping buildings clean and orderly, including heavy cleaning such as floors, rugs, walls, glass and rubbish[24]. Common tasks include:

Where they work

Janitors usually work indoors, though some tasks, such as sweeping walkways or shoveling snow, are outside[26]. The day is mostly spent walking, standing or bending, and the work can be hard on the back, arms and legs[26]. Some tasks, such as cleaning restrooms and trash areas, are unpleasant[26]. Workers sometimes get sprains, strains or soreness, and may receive safety and ergonomics training[27].

Most work full time, and part-time work is common[28]. Offices are often cleaned when empty, so many cleaners work evenings[28]. Places that need round-the-clock cleaning, such as hospitals, use shifts that can include nights, weekends or holidays[28]. The largest employer group was services to buildings and dwellings, at 35%[29]. In 2025, 4.8% were self-employed[30].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 2,432,600 to 2,486,200 jobs[3]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[31]. These counts include the self-employed[3].

About 321,800 openings are projected each year[6]. Openings come from retirements and job changes as well as new jobs[6]. Each year, 6.3% of workers leave the labor force and 6.6% move to a different occupation[32].

Is it a good fit?

The facts describe a job with a low barrier to entry. No formal credential is typical and training is short[1]. Pay at the middle is below the all-occupations median[2][5], and the 10th to 90th percentile range runs from $28,640 to $50,270[4]. Growth is slightly slower than the average for all jobs, but openings are plentiful[3][31][6]. The work is physical and often involves evening or shift hours[21][28].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[33].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a janitor make an hour?
The median was $17.71 an hour in May 2025[2]. The average was $18.64[7].
Do you need a degree to be a janitor?
No formal educational credential is typical[1]. Some employers may prefer a high school diploma or equivalent[16].
How long does it take to become a janitor?
BLS lists short-term on-the-job training as typical[1]. The facts give no exact length.
Is janitor work in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[3][31]. About 321,800 openings are projected each year[6].
Which state pays janitors the most?
Massachusetts had the highest median at $45,580[12]. Washington was next at $45,520[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners: education needed for entry: No formal educational credential; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners in the US was $36,840 per year and $17.71 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners is projected to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 2,432,600 to 2,486,200 jobs (a change of +53,600). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners: 10th percentile $28,640, 25th percentile $32,240, 75th percentile $44,060, 90th percentile $50,270. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 321,800 openings for Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners was $38,760 per year and $18.64 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners: 10th percentile $13.77, 25th percentile $15.50, 75th percentile $21.18, 90th percentile $24.17. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 2,209,760 people were employed as Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners jobs: California 234,240; New York 195,250; Texas 184,840; Florida 131,900; Illinois 93,760. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners (areas with at least 100 jobs): Longview-Kelso, WA $46,590; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $46,550; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $46,490; Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $45,970; Merced, CA $45,920; Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $44,860; Barnstable Town, MA $44,820; Napa, CA $44,750. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 183,030 (median $42,840); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 83,160 (median $38,720); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 70,000 (median $38,470); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 59,090 (median $37,840); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 48,880 (median $30,650); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 48,360 (median $34,860). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET description of Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners. O*NET OnLine
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of janitors and building cleaners in 2025: Services to buildings and dwellings 35%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Employment Projections: 4.8% of Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  31. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners: 6.3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.6% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  33. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.