Maids and housekeeping cleaners: Salary, Job Outlook, Education and Career Path

Perform any combination of light cleaning duties to maintain private households or commercial establishments, such as hotels and hospitals, in a clean and orderly manner. Duties may include making beds, replenishing linens, cleaning rooms and halls, and vacuuming.

Short answer: Maids and housekeeping cleaners earn a national median annual wage of $35,510 (BLS, May 2025). Employment is projected to change +0.6% from 2025 to 2035 (all occupations: +3.5%), with about 175,500 openings per year. The typical entry credential is no formal educational credential.

Median annual wage
$35,510
May 2025 Verified data
Projected change
+0.6%
2025 to 2035 Official projection
Openings per year
175,500
Average, 2025 to 2035 Official projection
Employment
860,670
OEWS, May 2025 Verified data

Maids and housekeeping cleaners salary

$0$20K$40KUnited States$35,510
National annual wages for maids and housekeeping cleaners, May 2025: 10th percentile $27,640, 25th $30,350, median $35,510, 75th $39,590, 90th $48,570. The bar spans the 25th to 75th percentile, the thin line spans the 10th to 90th percentile, and the red mark is the median.
MeasureAnnualHourly
10th percentile$27,640$13.29
Median (50th percentile)$35,510$17.07
Mean (average)$37,080$17.83
90th percentile$48,570$23.35

These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, National. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.

Maids and housekeeping cleaners pay by state and metro area

$21.5K$51.6K
Median annual wage for maids and housekeeping cleaners by state, May 2025. Highest: Hawaii at $51,600. States in gray have no published estimate.
Table: median wage and employment for all 54 states and territories
StateMedian10th pct90th pctEmploymentLocation quotient
Alabama$27,480$22,340$34,6808,2900.71
Alaska$37,370$33,560$46,8102,4401.35
Arizona$35,640$31,350$42,69021,1801.18
Arkansas$27,960$23,690$35,1906,9300.96
California$42,660$35,680$63,450103,4301.03
Colorado$37,560$32,490$46,63019,2801.21
Connecticut$36,170$34,140$45,3206,6800.71
Delaware$34,150$31,200$38,9401,8200.68
District of Columbia$42,260$37,970$57,0403,8000.98
Florida$33,860$28,840$44,87079,5501.45
Georgia$29,770$23,310$38,26018,5100.68
Guam$21,470$20,020$29,1109002.45
Hawaii$51,600$38,600$62,02011,1203.2
Idaho$34,560$27,600$43,6806,2101.31
Illinois$36,380$31,200$49,91026,1500.77
Indiana$31,420$28,210$39,15011,0500.62
Iowa$32,620$28,630$38,0708,1600.95
Kansas$31,100$26,310$38,7507,5400.95
Kentucky$30,880$23,800$39,68012,0401.09
Louisiana$26,600$21,330$34,85012,4401.16
Maine$37,630$34,520$44,5604,9601.4
Maryland$35,500$31,210$42,18014,6900.96
Massachusetts$38,950$34,320$60,90014,9100.74
Michigan$34,650$28,740$38,44018,6900.77
Minnesota$37,470$29,960$47,99014,8900.91
Mississippi$25,360$19,020$33,7308,3201.29
Missouri$33,670$28,600$39,35015,3600.95
Montana$35,740$28,080$49,2105,3801.9
Nebraska$34,170$28,320$40,9006,2501.1
Nevada$46,550$30,000$56,40024,3802.84
New Hampshire$36,920$33,400$44,2303,1700.84
New Jersey$37,980$32,760$49,24018,3600.77
New Mexico$30,480$26,950$37,7306,1801.28
New York$41,950$33,810$82,54041,7400.78
North Carolina$31,310$23,990$40,11033,0801.21
North Dakota$35,050$29,520$44,6502,8801.21
Ohio$32,170$27,650$37,75028,9300.94
Oklahoma$28,620$22,460$37,00011,8101.25
Oregon$37,590$33,970$47,74012,9201.19
Pennsylvania$33,870$27,370$42,45025,6500.76
Puerto Rico$22,550$21,840$37,5403,1400.6
Rhode Island$37,540$34,490$45,9402,7100.98
South Carolina$30,260$23,060$37,29014,5001.14
South Dakota$29,950$27,890$39,2203,5401.4
Tennessee$30,850$25,100$37,54020,5001.13
Texas$29,660$22,150$37,30063,1100.81
Utah$36,270$29,130$45,77010,2501.07
Vermont$37,680$31,760$46,0601,8301.09
Virgin Islands$31,450$27,740$42,8005803.29
Virginia$33,820$28,210$41,71023,1201.02
Washington$42,180$36,090$50,10018,4800.94
West Virginia$28,090$22,510$36,2406,1101.57
Wisconsin$35,530$29,460$43,48014,5200.89
Wyoming$31,870$26,250$42,6802,8001.8

A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.

Metro areas with the most jobs

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ40,030
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA34,440
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL22,370
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV20,800
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN18,260
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL17,810
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX17,480
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV15,860
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ14,250
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA12,990

Highest paying metro areas

Urban Honolulu, HI$53,850
Kahului-Wailuku, HI$53,030
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$48,200
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV$48,140
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$46,590
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$44,900
Napa, CA$44,260
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$44,010
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$43,530
Vallejo, CA$43,090
Among metro areas with at least 100 workers in this occupation.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, State. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Metropolitan areas. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.

Job outlook for maids and housekeeping cleaners

2025 (actual)1,332,1002035 (projected)1,339,500
BLS projects employment of maids and housekeeping cleaners to go from 1,332,100 in 2025 to 1,339,500 in 2035, a change of +0.6% (+7,400 jobs). All occupations are projected to grow +3.5%.
  • Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 175,500. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
  • Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 13.7%.

These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Table 1.2: Occupational projections, 2025-35, and worker characteristics, 2025. Base year 2025, projected year 2035. Published August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.

Education and training for maids and housekeeping cleaners

Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Related work experience
None
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
O*NET Job Zone
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed

Highest education of people working in this occupation

Less than high school34.3%
High school diploma39.9%
Some college, no degree13.6%
Associate's degree5%
Bachelor's degree5.7%
Master's degree1%
Doctoral or professional0.5%
Share of workers age 25 and over by highest education completed, 2023-24. The most common level is a high school diploma (39.9%).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Education and training tables 5.1 to 5.4. Attainment 2023-24 (ACS); wages 2025; projections 2025-35. Published August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.

O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Degrees and programs that lead to this career

Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk

Source: National Center for Education Statistics and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk. CIP 2020 and SOC 2018 taxonomies. Published April 30, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.

Skills, knowledge, and daily work

Most important skills

Active Listening2.8
Speaking2.8
Critical Thinking2.8
Monitoring2.8
Reading Comprehension2.6
Writing2.1
Active Learning2.1
Learning Strategies2.1
O*NET importance rating on a 1 to 5 scale.

Most important knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service4.0
English Language3.2
Public Safety and Security3.2
Administration and Management2.9
Chemistry2.5
Education and Training2.4
Production and Processing2.2
Communications and Media2.1
O*NET importance rating on a 1 to 5 scale.

Typical tasks

  • Keep storage areas and carts well-stocked, clean, and tidy.
  • Carry linens, towels, toilet items, and cleaning supplies, using wheeled carts.
  • Clean rooms, hallways, lobbies, lounges, restrooms, corridors, elevators, stairways, locker rooms, and other work areas so that health standards are met.
  • Empty wastebaskets, empty and clean ashtrays, and transport other trash and waste to disposal areas.
  • Sweep, scrub, wax, or polish floors, using brooms, mops, or powered scrubbing and waxing machines.
  • Replenish supplies, such as drinking glasses, linens, writing supplies, and bathroom items.
  • Clean rugs, carpets, upholstered furniture, and draperies, using vacuum cleaners and shampooers.
  • Wash windows, walls, ceilings, and woodwork, waxing and polishing as necessary.

Technology skills

  • Facebook (hot technology)
  • Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
  • Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
  • Blink
  • Computerized bed control system software
  • Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
  • Eko
  • Email software
  • Inventory tracking software

Transferable skills for career changers: Service Orientation, Coordination, Time Management, Social Perceptiveness, Persuasion, Negotiation.

Common job titles: Chambermaid, Cleaner, Cottage Attendant, Environmental Services Aide, Environmental Services Worker, Guest Room Attendant (GRA), Housekeeper, Housekeeping Laundry Worker, Room Cleaner.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. ConnectPrep has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Source: National Center for O*NET Development for USDOL/ETA, O*NET 31.0 Database (August 2026 release). Database release 31.0, August 2026; element dates vary by occupation. Published August 25, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.

Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there

Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.

Frequently asked questions

How much do maids and housekeeping cleaners make?

The national median annual wage for maids and housekeeping cleaners was $35,510 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $27,640 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $48,570. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.

What education do maids and housekeeping cleaners need?

BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and short-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.

Is maids and housekeeping cleaners a growing career?

BLS projects employment of maids and housekeeping cleaners to change +0.6% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 175,500 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.

Which states pay maids and housekeeping cleaners the most?

By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Hawaii ($51,600), Nevada ($46,550), California ($42,660). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.

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