Janitorial Wages Rose 26.7% in Five Years Amid High Annual Openings
The median hourly pay for janitors and building cleaners in the U.S. increased by 26.7% between May 2020 and May 2025. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 321,800 annual job openings in the occupation.
The median hourly wage for janitors and building cleaners in the United States saw a 26.7% increase between May 2020 and May 2025, according to an analysis of national wage and employment data by Nassco, Inc. Concurrently, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects about 321,800 annual job openings in the occupation from 2025 through 2035.
The BLS data indicates the median hourly wage rose from $13.98 in May 2020 to $17.71 in May 2025, translating to an annual median of $36,840. The high number of annual openings is largely attributed to worker turnover, with most openings expected to result from employees transferring to other occupations or leaving the workforce, rather than from net job growth.
Overall employment for janitors and building cleaners is projected to grow by only 2% between 2025 and 2035, adding approximately 53,600 jobs. This modest growth, from 2.43 million to 2.48 million jobs, combined with the significant number of annual openings, highlights a persistent need for recruitment.
Nassco's analysis suggests that facility managers should reassess cleaning workloads and equipment. The rising median wages and ongoing demand for workers indicate a need to optimize cleaning processes and ensure the use of efficient, appropriate equipment to manage operational costs.