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General Cleaner Salary in the United States

How much does a General Cleaner make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a General Cleaner in the United States is $31,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $15.

However, a General Cleaner's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $36,158
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $28,800 to $33,700
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $26,797
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View as table View as graph 25% $28,800 10% $26,797 90% $36,158 75% $33,700 $31,000 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

General Cleaner Salaries by Percentile

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
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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 your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects General Cleaner Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a General Cleaner's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $30,278
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $30,442
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $30,672
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $31,081
  • Expert (over 8 years): $31,887
Levels Salary
Entry Level General Cleaner$30,278
Intermediate Level General Cleaner$30,442
Senior Level General Cleaner$30,672
Specialist Level General Cleaner$31,081
Expert Level General Cleaner$31,887
$30,278 0 yr
$30,442 < 2 yrs
$30,672 2-4 yrs
$31,081 5-8 yrs
$31,887 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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: $38,700
  • 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.
See More Skills
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%
Coordination
$31,930
3%
Laundry
$31,930
3%
Collaboration
$31,620
2%
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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%
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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 January 01, 2026

General Cleaner Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a General Cleaner, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

General Cleaner Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Cleaning Supervisor $40,300 30%
Laundry Operations Manager $40,300 30%
Employee Uniform Services Supervisor $57,700 86%

Salary Trends for General Cleaner

Salaries for a General Cleaner can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $31,495 in 2023 to around $31,213 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of General Cleaner salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of General Cleaner Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$31,495
2024
$31,446
2025
$31,213
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $31,495
2024 $31,446
2025 $31,213
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for General Cleaner

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for General Cleaner

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FAQ about General Cleaner

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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 provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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