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Hourly Wage for General Cleaner Salary in the United States

How much does a General Cleaner make hourly?

As of September 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a General Cleaner in the United States is $15, which translates to an annual salary of about $31,000.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $17 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $14 to $16 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $13 per hour

Key Factors That Influence General Cleaner Salaries

A General Cleaner's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for General Cleaners

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $39,100
  • San Francisco: $38,600
  • Oakland: $37,800

What Skills Can Increase a General Cleaner's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 7.44% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Deep Cleaning (Mentioned in 2.22% Job Postings): Deep cleaning goes further to get rid of dirt, grime, soap scum, and other gunk around your home. It's a more thorough service than the standard cleaning. You're often sanitizing areas throughout the home.
  • Healthcare Services (Mentioned in 1.44% Job Postings): The improvement of health via the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, amelioration or cure of disease, illness, injury and other physical and mental impairments in people. Health care is delivered by health professionals and allied health fields.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 7.44%
Deep Cleaning 2.22%
Healthcare Services 1.44%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a General Cleaner's salary.

  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Effective Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Management $33,480
8%
Effective Communication $32,860
6%
Written Communication $32,240
4%

General Cleaner Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

General Cleaner salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $34,644. While startup companies pay approximate $29,305.

General Cleaner Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $29,305
Growth Stage 51~500 $30,993
Established 501~5000 $33,453
Enterprise 5000+ $34,644

General Cleaner Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For General Cleaner roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, General Cleaner positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view General Cleaner as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a General Cleaner

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$46,500$22.050%

How Education impacts a General Cleaner's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many General Cleaners enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a General Cleaner with a No Diploma is between $28,178 and $29,807).

General Cleaner Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for General Cleaner
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 11.7%
High School 69.6%
Associates 10.2%
Bachelors 7.4%
Masters 0.7%
Doctorate 0.4%

General Cleaner Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a General Cleaner's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$28,800
Average $31,000/year
$33,700
$2,400
Average $2,583/month
$2,808
$554
Average $596/week
$648
$14
Average $15/hour
$16
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $33,700 $2,808 $648 $16
Average $31,000 $2,583 $596 $15
25th Percentile $28,800 $2,400 $554 $14

Most common benefits for General Cleaner

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for General Cleaner

Here are companies hiring for General Cleaner and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about General Cleaner

1. What industry pays the highest salary for General Cleaner?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for General Cleaner roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

2. Can cleaners make a lot of money?

As a cleaner, your earnings can vary significantly. The salary range for general cleaners is between $28,000 and $34,400 annually, with a mid-salary of $30,900. If you own your own business and take on multiple jobs, you could potentially earn more, especially if you charge higher rates per cleaning.

3. What is the highest paid cleaning job?

The highest paid cleaning jobs typically include roles like Cleaning Validation Consultant, with salaries ranging from $79,000 to $85,000 per year. Other positions, such as Building Custodial Supervisor, earn between $47,000 and $75,500 annually. In contrast, a General Cleaner has a salary range of $28,000 to $34,400, reflecting the lower end of the cleaning profession's pay scale.

4. How much should I charge to clean a 1500 sq ft house?

To clean a 1500 sq ft house, you should consider charging between $28,000 and $34,400 annually, which translates to approximately $2,333 to $2,867 per month. For regular cleaning, typical rates range from $150 to $300, while deep cleaning may cost between $180 and $375. Adjust your pricing based on the specific services offered and local market rates.

5. How much to tip a cleaning lady?

It is standard practice to tip a cleaning lady 15 to 20%. Based on the salary data for a General Cleaner, with a minimum salary of $28,000 and a maximum of $34,400, a tip would typically range from $4,200 to $6,880 annually, depending on the frequency of service. Adjust your tip accordingly based on the quality of service provided.

6. How much is a cleaner paid per hour in US?

As of now, the salary data for a General Cleaner in the United States indicates a minimum salary of $28,000, a mid-range salary of $30,900, and a maximum salary of $34,400 annually. This translates to an hourly wage ranging from approximately $13.46 to $16.53, reflecting the varying pay scales across different regions and experience levels.

7. How much does general cleaning cost in the US?

The cost of general cleaning in the US typically ranges from $28,000 to $34,400 annually for cleaners. Hourly rates are generally between $20 to $50 per cleaner, while flat fees for a single-family home cleaning can range from $100 to $170. For room-specific cleaning, expect around $100 for one bedroom and bathroom, with additional charges for extra rooms.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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