How Much Does a House Cleaner Make?

A house cleaner earns a national median of $17.07 per hour, or $35,510 per year, according to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage release. That works out to about $683 per week or $2,959 per month when the official annual figure is divided by 52 or 12.

Those numbers use the BLS occupation “Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners,” the closest official match for everyday house cleaning work. It also includes housekeepers in hotels, hospitals, and other establishments. The data excludes self-employed cleaners and employees hired directly by private households, so it is an employee wage benchmark, not a freelance rate or business-owner income estimate.

The weekly and monthly numbers are simple conversions of the annual median, not separately reported BLS estimates. Actual take-home pay depends on hours worked, taxes, tips, and any benefits or overtime.

What Is the Typical House Cleaner Pay Range?

The national median is the clearest single answer, but it does not show how much wages vary. In May 2025, the 10th percentile earned $27,640 annually, while the 90th percentile earned $48,570. These are points in the wage distribution. They are not official “beginner” and “experienced” salary bands.

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Median pay versus average pay

The median of $35,510 means half of covered jobs paid less and half paid more. The mean, or arithmetic average, was slightly higher at $37,080 per year and $17.83 per hour. A small number of higher-paid jobs can pull an average up, which is why the median is usually the more useful answer to “what does this job typically pay?”

Which States Pay House Cleaners the Most?

Hawaii had the highest median annual wage at $51,600, followed by Nevada at $46,550. California, the District of Columbia, Washington, and New York all had medians above $41,000.

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Higher wages do not automatically mean greater buying power. Rent, transportation, taxes, and local demand differ by state. Treat this ranking as a pay comparison, not a list of the best places to live or work.

House cleaner salary by state

What Changes a House Cleaner’s Pay?

Four factors matter more than a long list of generic career advice.

Location. The state table shows a gap of more than $26,000 between the highest and lowest medians. Local labor markets and living costs differ, so compare nearby job listings as well as statewide data.

Work setting. The BLS occupation is broader than residential cleaning. In the same release, the median was $18.70 per hour in general medical and surgical hospitals, $17.13 in services to buildings and dwellings, and $16.79 in traveler accommodation. The employer and setting can matter even when the core work looks similar.

Paid hours. An hourly rate does not guarantee a 40-hour week. Seasonal occupancy, cancellations, part-time schedules, and unpaid gaps between jobs can change annual earnings. Ask how many hours are normally scheduled and whether travel between sites is paid.

Job scope and reliability. Some roles add inspection, supply control, team coordination, specialized procedures, or guest-facing responsibilities. Those duties can support a pay conversation, but the BLS data does not assign a national premium to any one skill or certification.

How to Compare a House Cleaning Job Offer

Start with the regular hourly rate and the number of paid hours the employer normally schedules. Ask whether travel between homes, supply pickup, training, cancellations, and waiting time are paid. A higher advertised rate can produce lower weekly earnings if the schedule includes unpaid gaps or frequent last-minute cancellations.

Then compare tips, mileage reimbursement, paid leave, health benefits, uniforms, supplies, and vehicle expectations. OEWS wages exclude employer benefits and do not show whether a cleaner uses a personal car or buys work supplies. For a quick annual check, multiply the hourly rate by realistic paid hours rather than assuming 40 hours every week. At $18 per hour, 30 paid hours over 50 weeks equals $27,000 before tips, overtime, taxes, or benefits.

Employee Pay Is Not the Same as Self-Employed Income

An employee’s hourly wage is pay for labor. A self-employed cleaner’s customer price must also cover supplies, travel, insurance, cancellations, admin time, taxes, and unpaid sales work. Revenue left after those costs is not automatically the owner’s take-home pay.

If you run the business or are considering going independent, use the separate guide to cleaning business owner earnings. It shows the assumptions behind three owner-compensation scenarios instead of relabeling an employee wage as business income.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do house cleaners make per hour?

The national median was $17.07 per hour in May 2025. The mean was $17.83 per hour.

How much do house cleaners make per year?

The national median annual wage was $35,510, equal to about $2,959 per month or $683 per week when divided evenly.

What is the salary range for a house cleaner?

The 10th-percentile annual wage was $27,640, the median was $35,510, and the 90th-percentile wage was $48,570. These percentiles describe the wage distribution, not years of experience.

Which state pays house cleaners the most?

Hawaii had the highest median at $24.81 per hour and $51,600 per year. Nevada ranked second at $22.38 per hour and $46,550 per year. Neither figure is adjusted for living costs.

Sources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics public table
• BLS OEWS Handbook of Methods: Concepts
• O*NET: Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners, SOC 37-2012.00