Work in the Cleaning Industry

Published on 10/01/2026 by C. Leon
cleaning jobs

Cleaning is one of the most consistent industries to find work in. The pay range is wider than most people realize: entry-level jobs start around $14 an hour, while specialty cleaning gigs (think biohazard cleanup or high-rise window washing) push past $35. Below you’ll see the latest cleaning job offers, plus a clear look at what each specialty pays, who’s hiring right now, and the certifications that unlock the higher-paying paths.

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2.4M
Cleaning jobs in the US (BLS)
$14-$40
Hourly range by specialty
$300
Cert cost that raises your pay
No degree
Or experience to start

Cleaning openings today

By setting, shift, and pay. Updated every week.

See Cleaning Openings →

📋 At a glance

  • What each cleaning specialty pays.
  • The companies hiring all year.
  • The certification that raises your pay right away.
  • The path into the higher-paying specialties.
  • W2 employee vs 1099 contractor: which one fits you.

What different cleaning jobs really pay

Pay varies more than most candidates expect. The role you pick has bigger impact than your experience level, especially early on. Realistic US ranges by specialty:

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Specialty Typical hourly pay Worth noting
Residential housekeeper$14 to $18Tips can add $30 to $80 per home
Office or school janitor$14 to $17Stable hours, often with benefits
Hotel housekeeper$14 to $19Includes guest tips and meal discounts
Hospital EVS (environmental services)$16 to $22Full benefits, union in some states
Industrial or hazmat cleaner$18 to $26Hazmat cert required
Carpet and upholstery cleaner$18 to $25Higher with IICRC certification
Crime scene or biohazard cleanup$25 to $40Heavy emotional load, on-call shifts
Self-employed Airbnb turnover$20 to $35 effectiveCharge per job; needs own supplies

💡 The certification shortcut: An IICRC certification (carpet, water damage, or mold) costs about $300 to $500, takes two to four days, and usually adds $3 to $7 per hour to your rate. It’s one of the few credentials in this industry with an immediate payback.

Top employers hiring cleaners year-round

If you want stable hours plus benefits, these are the companies and sectors that post cleaning job offers every month, in every state:

ABM Industries
Largest janitorial contractor in the US. Office buildings, airports, schools.
Aramark and ISS
Big facilities-services contractors. Steady hours, often unionized.
Hospital systems
Kaiser, HCA, Ascension. EVS roles with full health benefits.
Hotel chains
Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt. Predictable shifts, tip income.
Stanley Steemer and ServiceMaster
Carpet and restoration. Higher pay, route-based.
Merry Maids and MaidPro
Residential, paid mileage and supplies. Solid first job in the industry.

How cleaners move into the higher-paying specialties

Most cleaners start near minimum wage and stay there. The ones who break out follow a similar pattern:

1
Spend 6 to 12 months at a known cleaning company. ABM, Stanley Steemer, or a hospital EVS team gives you a verifiable work history that later clients will check.
2
Add one paid certification. IICRC for carpet, mold, or water damage. Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) for biohazard. OSHA 10 for industrial sites. Each unlocks a higher pay band.
3
Switch to a specialty when you’re ready. Crime scene, hood cleaning, high-rise windows, and mold remediation all pay 50% to 100% more than general cleaning.
4
Go self-employed once you have steady clients. Solo cleaners with 4 or 5 weekly clients commonly clear $50,000 to $80,000 a year, charging per job (not per hour).

W2 vs 1099: which one are you signing up for?

The same job title can be very different paychecks depending on classification. Always check the listing before you accept an offer:

W2 employee 1099 contractor
Taxes withheld automatically. Employer covers half of Social Security. Eligible for unemployment, workers’ comp, and sometimes health benefits. Supplies usually provided. Higher hourly rate on paper. You pay full self-employment tax (15.3%). No paid time off, no unemployment, no workers’ comp. You bring your own supplies and insurance.

If you’re new to the industry, a W2 role at a real cleaning company is the safer starting point. Once you have a few months of experience and a small client list, 1099 work pays more, especially if you stack two or three regular accounts.

Live cleaning openings near you, sorted by setting, schedule, and pay, are on the next page.

Pick the setting that fits where you are right now and apply to two or three this week.

See Cleaning Openings