Janitor Salary Guide
National median: $36,840/yr · Range: $27,998–$46,418 · Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
Last updated: 2026-07-04
National Janitor Salary Overview
Data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2025 OEWS. O*NET code: 37-2011.00. SOC occupation: 37-2011 (Janitor).
Janitor Salary by City — Top 20 Metros
| Metro Area | 25th Pct | Median | 75th Pct |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $41,450 | $46,490 | $57,050 |
| San Francisco, CA | $39,940 | $44,180 | $54,210 |
| San Jose, CA | $40,090 | $43,870 | $49,140 |
| New York, NY | $36,740 | $42,840 | $51,220 |
| Denver, CO | $37,680 | $38,840 | $45,880 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $36,520 | $38,720 | $47,070 |
| Chicago, IL | $36,360 | $38,470 | $45,730 |
| San Diego, CA | $36,300 | $38,450 | $46,280 |
| Columbus, OH | $32,170 | $37,310 | $44,620 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $33,400 | $36,930 | $45,100 |
| Austin, TX | $30,320 | $36,930 | $40,090 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $30,880 | $36,850 | $41,310 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $35,060 | $36,280 | $40,240 |
| Nashville, TN | $30,720 | $36,130 | $40,020 |
| Charlotte, NC | $29,590 | $35,600 | $37,480 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $30,470 | $35,450 | $38,420 |
| Dallas, TX | $28,680 | $34,860 | $38,720 |
| Fort Worth, TX | $28,680 | $34,860 | $38,720 |
| San Antonio, TX | $28,080 | $34,540 | $38,520 |
| Houston, TX | $26,680 | $30,650 | $36,770 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates. Click any city for detailed local salary data.
Janitor Salary by Experience Level
| Level | Typical Salary | Years of Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level Janitor | $26,524 | 0–2 years |
| Mid-level Janitor | $33,892 | 3–5 years |
| Senior Janitor | $43,471 | 5–8 years |
| Staff / Lead Janitor | $52,312 | 8–12 years |
| Principal / Director | $61,891 | 12+ years |
Career path estimates derived from BLS OEWS May 2025 national benchmarks. Actual salaries vary by company, location, and skills.
Skills That Raise Janitor Salary
Professionals with these skills typically earn 15–35% above the median:
- Floor-care machine operation (buffer, extractor)
- OSHA / bloodborne pathogen training
- Green cleaning certification
- Facilities or boiler-room cross-training
- Crew lead experience
How to Negotiate a Janitor Offer
The most effective salary negotiation for Janitor roles follows three steps:
- Anchor with data. Quote BLS OEWS median ($36,840) and top-metro benchmarks as your reference point. Numbers beat feelings.
- Frame with ROI. Describe a specific project outcome in dollar terms: "I reduced churn by 8%, which retained $2M ARR." This turns the conversation from cost to investment.
- Negotiate total comp. If base is firm, ask about sign-on bonus, equity refresh, additional PTO, or a 6-month review. Employers have more flexibility in these buckets.
Janitor Salary by City — All 90 Locations
Median Janitor pay in every metro we track, grouped by state (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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