Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners earn a median of $35,510 per year ($17.07/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 0.6% through 2035, with about 175,500 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
- SOC 37-2012
- Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner in four numbers
- Median pay
- $35,510a year, or $17.07/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $28KTop 10% $49K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +0.6%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+0.6%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +0.6% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 175,5001,332,100 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20251.3M
- Projected 20351.3M
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 1.3M Projected 2035 1.3M - Typical education
- No formal credentialneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school44.6%
- High school35.5%
- Certificate6.7%
- Some college2.4%
- Bachelor's5.9%
- Post-doctoral training5%
Highest education held by maids and housekeeping cleaners Segment Value Less than high school 44.6% High school 35.5% Certificate 6.7% Some college 2.4% Bachelor's 5.9% Post-doctoral training 5%
Also advertised as: Chambermaid, Cleaner, Cottage Attendant, Environmental Services Aide, Environmental Services Worker, Guest Room Attendant (GRA).
Pay
How much do Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners make?
Every maid and housekeeping cleaner in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$35,510
Middle half earn $30,350 to $39,590
- 10th
- $27,640
- 25th
- $30,350
- 75th
- $39,590
- 90th
- $48,570
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $27,640 |
| 25th | $30,350 |
| Median | $35,510 |
| 75th | $39,590 |
| 90th | $48,570 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $35,510
- Median hourly wage
- $17.07/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $37,080
- People employed
- 860,670
Versus all US occupations
At $35,510, Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners earn 30% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $15,470 a year.
Versus building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations
Inside the Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance group, where the middle occupation pays $46,340, this is 23% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $48,570 or more while the bottom 10% earn $27,640, a gap of 1.8×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 2% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Hawaii pays the most at $51,600, and still leads at $46,930 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Hawaii | $51,600 | $46,930 | 11,120 |
| 2Nevada | $46,550 | $46,560 | 24,380 |
| 3California | $42,660 | $38,530 | 103,430 |
| 4District of Columbia | $42,260 | $38,453 | 3,800 |
| 5Washington | $42,180 | $39,416 | 18,480 |
| 6New York | $41,950 | $38,871 | 41,740 |
| 7Massachusetts | $38,950 | $36,830 | 14,910 |
| 8New Jersey | $37,980 | $34,906 | 18,360 |
| 9Vermont | $37,680 | $38,465 | 1,830 |
| 10Maine | $37,630 | $38,774 | 4,960 |
Job outlook
Is Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +0.6% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | +0.6% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners to change 0.6% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 7,400 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 175,500 openings are projected each year, 13.2% of the 1,332,100 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner
- 1
Typical entry-level education
No formal educational credential
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as maids and housekeeping cleaners.
- Less than a High School Diploma44.6%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)35.5%
- Post-Secondary Certificate6.7%
- Bachelor's Degree5.9%
- Post-Doctoral Training5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Less than a High School Diploma | 44.6% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 35.5% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 6.7% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 5.9% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner do?
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.
Day-to-day tasks
- 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.
- Dust and polish furniture and equipment.
- Carry linens, towels, toilet items, and cleaning supplies, using wheeled carts.
- Keep storage areas and carts well-stocked, clean, and tidy.
- Sweep, scrub, wax, or polish floors, using brooms, mops, or powered scrubbing and waxing machines.
- Wash windows, walls, ceilings, and woodwork, waxing and polishing as necessary.
- Replenish supplies, such as drinking glasses, linens, writing supplies, and bathroom items.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes are not usually serious.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening2.8
- Speaking2.8
- Critical Thinking2.8
- Monitoring2.8
- Reading Comprehension2.6
- Writing2.1
- Active Learning2.1
- Learning Strategies2.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 2.8 |
| Speaking | 2.8 |
| Critical Thinking | 2.8 |
| Monitoring | 2.8 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.6 |
| Writing | 2.1 |
| Active Learning | 2.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Service Orientation3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Persuasion2.1
- Negotiation2.1
- Instructing2.1
- Complex Problem Solving2.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Service Orientation | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
| Persuasion | 2.1 |
| Negotiation | 2.1 |
| Instructing | 2.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Operating system software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Desktop communications software
- Electronic mail software
- Facilities management software
- Instant messaging software
- Inventory management software
- Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 1 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.1
- Conventional4.6
- Social2.5
- Enterprising1.5
- Artistic1.4
- Investigative1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner
O*NET related occupations
- Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
Janitor and Cleaner, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
$36,840median a year
Most earn $29K to $50K
+2.2%No formal credential - Production
- Personal Care and Service
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendant
$36,300median a year
Most earn $27K to $54K
+6.4%High school - Food Preparation and Serving Related
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper
$33,980median a year
Most earn $21K to $47K
+5.3%No formal credential - Food Preparation and Serving Related
- Transportation and Material Moving
Cleaner of Vehicles and Equipment
$35,830median a year
Most earn $27K to $48K
+3.9%No formal credential
More building and grounds cleaning and maintenance careers
Median annual pay, with maids and housekeeping cleaners highlighted
- First-Line Supervisor of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$58,430
- Sports Turf Manager$58,430
- Tree Trimmer and Pruner$50,960
- Consulting Arborist$50,960
- Utility Line Clearance Arborist$50,960
- Pest Control Worker$45,250
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker$39,150
- Janitor and Cleaner, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$36,840
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner$35,510
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisor of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | $58,430 |
| Sports Turf Manager | $58,430 |
| Tree Trimmer and Pruner | $50,960 |
| Consulting Arborist | $50,960 |
| Utility Line Clearance Arborist | $50,960 |
| Pest Control Worker | $45,250 |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker | $39,150 |
| Janitor and Cleaner, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $36,840 |
| Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner | $35,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner appears on
Questions
Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner: frequently asked questions
How much do Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners make?
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners earn a median of $35,510 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 30% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $17.07/hr. The middle half earn between $30,350 and $39,590. The top 10% earn $48,570 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner?
No. BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry requirement for Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as little or no preparation. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 44.6% hold less than a high school diploma.
Is Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 0.6% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 175,500 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner do?
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. A core O*NET task: clean rooms, hallways, lobbies, lounges, restrooms, corridors, elevators, stairways, locker rooms, and other work areas so that health standards are met. Employers most often ask for Operating system software, Spreadsheet software, Web page creation and editing software.
Which states pay Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners the most?
The highest state medians for Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners are Hawaii ($51,600), Nevada ($46,550), California ($42,660) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner?
O*NET scores Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISFJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.