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Janitor I Salary in the United States

How much does a Janitor I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Janitor I in the United States is $37,306 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $42,185
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $33,633 to $39,860
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $30,289
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Janitor I Salaries

A Janitor I'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 Janitor I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Janitor I'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:

  • Janitor I (0-1 years): $37,306
  • Janitor II (1-3 years): $41,734
  • Janitor III (3-5 years): $46,225
  • Janitorial Supervisor (5+ years): $49,753
  • Janitorial Manager (5+ years): $78,087
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Janitor I0-1 years$37,306
Janitor II1-3 years$41,734
Janitor III3-5 years$46,225
Janitorial Supervisor5+ years$49,753
Janitorial Manager5+ years$78,087
View as Graph

How Do Janitor Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Janitor Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $41,305.
  • California: $41,149.
  • Massachusetts: $40,600.

Top Paying Cities for Janitor I

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: $47,054
  • San Francisco: $46,539
  • Oakland: $45,558

What Skills Can Increase a Janitor I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 8.2% 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.
  • Commercial Cleaning (Mentioned in 4.28% Job Postings): Commercial cleaning is cleaning carried out by a commercial cleaning company. A commercial cleaning service cleans things such as offices, buildings, or retail stores.
  • Work Ethic (Mentioned in 1.61% Job Postings): A belief that work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. A set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 8.2%
Commercial Cleaning 4.28%
Work Ethic 1.61%
See More Skills

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 Janitor I's salary.

  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Painting: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Accountability $44,021
18%
Problem Solving $40,290
8%
Painting $39,917
7%
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Janitor I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Janitor I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $41,762. While startup companies pay approximate $35,330.

Janitor I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $35,330
Growth Stage 51~500 $37,365
Established 501~5000 $40,329
Enterprise 5000+ $41,762

Janitor I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Janitor I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Janitor positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Janitor I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Janitor I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$48,498$23.030%
Biotechnology$44,767$22.020%
Pharmaceuticals$44,021$21.018%
Aerospace & Defense$42,902$21.015%
Energy & Utilities$41,783$20.012%

How Education impacts an Janitor I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Janitor I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Janitor I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $34,459 and $36,541.

Janitor I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Janitor I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.6%
High School 76.8%
Associates 10.6%
Bachelors 7.0%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Janitor I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Janitor I'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 August 01, 2026
$33,633
Average $37,306/year
$39,860
$2,803
Average $3,109/month
$3,322
$647
Average $717/week
$767
$16
Average $18/hour
$19
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $39,860 $3,322 $767 $19
Average $37,306 $3,109 $717 $18
25th Percentile $33,633 $2,803 $647 $16

Janitor I Salary Growth & Career Path

Janitor I

Next Role

Advancement

For a Janitor I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Janitor II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $41,734 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Janitor I

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

Common company salaries for Janitor I

Here are companies hiring for Janitor I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Janitor I

1. Where can a Janitor I earn the most?

A Janitor I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Janitor I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Janitor I is $47,054.

2. What is the highest pay for Janitor I?

The highest pay for Janitor I is $42,185.

3. What is the lowest pay for Janitor I?

The lowest pay for Janitor I is $30,289.

4. What are the responsibilities of Janitor I?

Cleans and maintains buildings, facilities, and equipment. Uses cleaning tools and other products to create a clean, healthy environment. Removes and disposes trash, recycling, and other waste following the appropriate policies. May need to have basic maintenance skills. May require a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Janitor I?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Janitor I roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

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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