How Much Do Janitors Make? 2026 Salary Guide

Average janitor salary

The average annual pay for a janitor in the United States is $35,930 a year ($17.27/hour). The average pay range can go as low as $27,570/year ($13.26/hour) and as high as $49,040/year ($23.58/hour).

Higher earners, such as janitorial business owners, can make significantly more, depending on the company’s income and expenses.

Janitor pay breakdown by year, month, week, and hour

Janitors can be paid an hourly wage or an annual salary, depending on the employer and their commercial cleaning pricing. Still, it can be helpful for planning purposes to see monthly and weekly wages, too.

Note that wages can vary from paycheck to paycheck, depending on how many hours you work and your hourly rate. For example, if you earn overtime pay, your employer will pay overtime at 1.5 times your usual hourly wage.

Here’s a breakdown of how much janitors make in various periods of time:

Janitor income by industry

A janitor’s income varies depending on experience and employer. If you’re just starting your career path, you’ll likely earn less than someone who’s been cleaning facilities for decades.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you could potentially boost your earnings if you take a more specialized job providing commercial cleaning services in one of these industries:

• Couriers and Express Delivery Services: $85,270/year
• Rail Transportation: $64,980/year
• Postal Service (Federal Government): $63,560/year
• Metal Ore Mining: $59,700/year
• Other Investment Pools and Funds: $59,380/year
• Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production/Processing: $48,850/year
• Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills: $48,330/year
• Coal Mining: $48,300/year
• Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers: $46,080/year
• Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution: $45,930/year
• Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing: $45,700/year
• Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying: $45,630/year
• Tobacco Manufacturing: $45,590/year
• Agents/Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Public Figures: $45,350/year
• Leather and Hide Tanning and Finishing: $44,710/year

Janitor salary ranges per region

Janitor salaries vary by region because of local demand and cost of living. Your wages will be higher if it’s more expensive to live in an area, or if your cleaning services are in high demand.

These are the states where a janitor can make the most money:

How much do school janitors make?

Janitors working in elementary and secondary schools earn $34,860 per year ($16.76/hour) on average. School janitors (also known as custodians) earn similar wages to other janitors, but pay can vary depending on the school district.

Because schools operate on fixed schedules, many custodians work evening or overnight shifts so cleaning can happen after students leave for the day. However, you may not be eligible for overtime pay as a school janitor unless you work more than 40 hours per week.

Daily tasks typically include cleaning floors, restrooms, and cafeterias, as well as emptying trash. Custodians may also handle light maintenance tasks or seasonal duties, like maintaining school grounds.

How much do hospital janitors make?

Janitors working in general medical and surgical hospitals earn $32,970 a year ($15.85/hour). While pay can vary by location and employer, it is lower than the average wage for janitors across all industries.

Hospitals operate around the clock, so your working hours as a hospital janitor could be any time of day, any day of the week. Overtime won’t affect your wages unless you work over 40 hours a week.

Hospital janitors are responsible for maintaining clean and sanitary healthcare environments. This work includes cleaning and disinfecting patient rooms and restrooms, emptying trash, cleaning floors, and restocking supplies. They may also clean waiting rooms and corridors.

Janitor business owner salary

Commercial cleaning business owners can earn between $50,000 and $100,000 per year once the company is established. For larger janitorial companies, owners can earn over $200,000. Earnings depend on factors like:

• Business size
• Number of cleaning contracts
• Number of clients
• Business operating costs
• Owner responsibilities

Unlike employees, business owners are responsible for more than cleaning. They need to win contracts, oversee staff schedules and payroll, purchase cleaning supplies, and ensure quality control. Their income is directly tied to the business’s success.

Factors that influence janitor salaries

Several factors can affect how much janitors earn, whether you’re an employee or a business owner. Here’s a breakdown of factors that influence salary in the janitor job market:

• Industry or employer: Janitors working for government agencies or in industrial settings often earn more than those employed by schools or hospitals.
• Location: Wages vary depending on state, city, and cost of living. Urban areas and high-cost regions tend to offer higher pay.
• Experience: More experienced janitors typically earn higher wages. Some employers also offer pay increases for long-term staff with seniority.
• Union membership: Unionized janitors often receive higher wages and better benefits than non-union workers because of collective bargaining agreements.
• Shift type: Evening, night, or weekend shifts can sometimes pay more than standard daytime hours.
• Skill level and certifications: Training in hazardous materials handling or infection control can lead to higher pay.
• Training: While formal education usually isn’t required to be a janitor, completing specialized courses can provide a competitive edge for wages.
• Responsibilities: Janitors who take on extra tasks like grounds maintenance or staff supervision may earn higher salaries.

How to increase your janitor salary

If you want to earn more as a janitor, there are several strategies that can help boost your pay. Try these practical tips to improve your earning potential:

• Gain experience. Many employers increase janitors’ pay after several years of proven service. Staying in a role long enough to demonstrate reliability can lead to higher wages.
• Pick a high-paying job. Government, industrial, and some commercial sectors often pay more than schools or hospitals. Targeting these employers can lead to increased pay.
• Build specialized skills. Training in areas such as carpet cleaning, hazardous materials handling, or infection control can make you eligible for higher-paying positions.
• Ask for more responsibilities. Supervisory duties, employee scheduling, equipment maintenance, and supply management can make you more valuable to your employer and earn you a higher wage.
• Work different shifts. Night, weekend, or holiday shifts can pay more than standard daytime hours.
• Join a union. Union membership can provide collective bargaining benefits that lead to higher wages and better benefits.
• Move to a different area. Janitor wages vary by location, so working in a city or state with a higher cost of living can increase your average hourly wage.
• Negotiate pay. Don’t be afraid to discuss a raise with your employer, especially after completing additional training or taking on extra duties.

Other benefits for janitors

In addition to wages, many janitorial positions offer benefits that make the job more appealing. Common non-salary perks include:

• Health insurance for full-time janitors, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) or pension plans, which often come with employer contributions or matching
• Paid time off, like vacation and personal days, sick leave, and holidays
• Flexible hours or part-time schedules for better work-life balance
• Overtime pay, especially in facilities that operate outside of standard business hours
• Professional development and certifications that can improve job security and pay
• Job stability and demand across schools, hospitals, offices, and government buildings