How much does a housekeeper make?
a year · about $17 an hour
A typical housekeeper in the United States makes $35,510 a year, about $17 an hour, below a typical US worker ($50,980) (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A housekeeper pushes a cart of towels and supplies from room to room, makes beds, changes linens, and vacuums. They also clean bathrooms, refill supplies, empty bins, and keep hallways tidy.
Did you know? In 2025, US housekeepers spent 95.2% of the workday standing, and more than 95% of jobs required working in low postures.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $27,640 and $48,570How do you become one?
In the United States, most housekeepers do not need a school credential or past experience, and employers usually teach them on the job. A common route is to apply for an entry-level job at a hotel, hospital, or cleaning service and learn the routine there.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience, useful cleaning skills, and certificates an employer values can affect a housekeeper’s pay; hotels, hospitals, and private homes may pay differently. Location and whether the job is full-time, part-time, or seasonal also matter.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Hawaii ($51,600), lowest in Mississippi ($25,360).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $27,640 | $35,510 | $48,570 | about 861,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $51,600 | about 11,000 |
| Nevada | $46,550 | about 24,000 |
| California | $42,660 | about 103,000 |
| District of Columbia | $42,260 | about 4,000 |
| Washington | $42,180 | about 18,000 |
Official definition: 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.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes372012.htm
- www.bls.gov/ors/factsheet/maids-and-housekeeping-cleaners.htm
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/37-2012.00
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/37-2012.00
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY