Salary data · Bespree
Janitor and Cleaner Salary in Los Angeles
Janitors and Cleaners in the Los Angeles area earn a median of $17.73/hr — based on BLS OEWS May 2024.
At median pay, that's roughly $36,878/year, $709/week, or $3,071/month (40-hour week, before taxes).
About janitors and cleaners
Job duties, work environment, and education based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What janitors and cleaners do
Janitors and cleaners keep buildings in clean and orderly condition. They perform heavy cleaning duties such as sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming floors; scrubbing and cleaning restrooms; emptying trash; replacing supplies; and performing minor maintenance like changing light bulbs and repairing fixtures. Some janitors may shovel snow, mow lawns, or maintain exterior areas.
Work environment
Janitors work in schools, offices, hospitals, hotels, retail stores, and other buildings. Many work evening or overnight shifts when buildings are less occupied. The work is physical and involves standing, walking, bending, and lifting. Janitors use cleaning chemicals and equipment and must follow proper safety procedures. Some may work independently while others are part of a cleaning team.
How to become one
No formal education is typically required. Most janitors learn on the job from an experienced worker. Some positions may require a high school diploma. Knowledge of cleaning chemicals, equipment operation, and safety protocols is learned through training. Advancement may lead to supervisory roles.
Similar occupations
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — bls.gov/ooh. BLS content is in the public domain.
Hourly wage ranges
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th) | $16.62 | $34,570 |
| 25th percentile | $17.07 | $35,506 |
| Median (50th) | $17.73 | $36,878 |
| 75th percentile | $21.84 | $45,427 |
| Top earners (90th) | $25.92 | $53,914 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024 · Annual estimate = hourly × 2,080 hrs · Actual annual income varies by hours worked and schedule.
Janitors and Cleaners — Hourly Pay Distribution
Percentile range from entry-level to top earners
How Los Angeles compares
Janitors and Cleaners pay by metro
| Metro | Median/hr |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $17.73 |
| New York City | $19.40 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford | $18.00 |
| Chicago | $17.99 |
| New Haven | $17.91 |
| Trenton-Princeton | $17.71 |
| Philadelphia | $17.52 |
| Miami | $14.69 |
| Houston | $14.59 |
Janitors and Cleaners — Median Hourly Pay by Metro
Sorted by median pay, highest to lowest
Job outlook for Janitors and Cleaners
National employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
🔴 Declining
-2.2% projected growth, 2024–2034
-51,000
2024–2034
~290,500
New + replacement
2,294,300
2024 estimate
No formal credential
Entry-level
On-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034. Published August 2025. National-level projections — local growth may differ.
Skills & qualifications
Key skills and knowledge areas from O*NET OnLine, plus representative tools compiled by Bespree for janitors and cleaners.
- Operation and Control
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Time Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Chemistry
- Public Safety and Security
- Mechanical
- Floor scrubbers
- Industrial vacuum cleaners
- Pressure washers
- Snow removal equipment
- Carpet extractors
Skills and knowledge data from O*NET OnLine, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Bespree has selected and summarized a subset of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Tools & technology listed are representative examples compiled by Bespree.
Commute-adjusted effective wage
What you actually earn after subtracting the cost of getting to work.
Effective hourly wage after estimated commute costs, based on a 40-hr work week.
| Commute mode | Monthly cost | Hourly impact | Effective wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commute cost (baseline) | — | — | $17.73 |
| Metro rail/bus (monthly pass) | ~$122/mo | −$0.70/hr | $17.03/hr |
| Driving (gas + wear, no parking) | ~$280/mo | −$1.62/hr | $16.11/hr |
Methodology: Commute cost is deducted from median hourly wage assuming 2,080 working hours per year (52 weeks × 40 hrs). Costs are directional estimates based on published transit fares or AAA average variable driving costs. Actual costs vary by distance, schedule, vehicle, and commute days.
Metro rail/bus (monthly pass): LA Metro monthly pass, 2024 rate.
Driving (gas + wear, no parking): AAA avg variable cost × 20mi avg LA round-trip.
Local job market
—
No current paid openings on Bespree
No exact matches right now — new openings are added regularly.
Browse all jobs on Bespree →BLS estimates 84,960 janitors and cleaners employed in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area, or 2.2 per 1,000 jobs. (BLS OEWS May 2024)
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Data source: Wage data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, BLS OEWS May 2024. Job outlook data is from the BLS Employment Projections program (BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034). BLS data is in the public domain. Occupation profile content summarized from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Skills and knowledge data from O*NET OnLine, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Bespree has selected and summarized a subset of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Tools & technology listed are representative examples compiled by Bespree. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after retrieval. Wage figures are estimates and do not constitute a guarantee of earnings. Actual pay depends on employer, experience, certifications, and hours worked. Weekly and monthly earnings shown assume a 40-hour work week and are pre-tax estimates. Commute cost figures are directional estimates based on published transit fares and AAA average variable driving cost data; actual commute costs vary.