$Who Earns What

How much does a housekeeper make?

US Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

Answer: A typical housekeeper in the United States makes $35,510 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Yearly pay of a typical person doing this job in the US
$35,510

Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 861,000 people work in this job. Below the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).

Lower earner
$27,640
10th from the bottom of 100
Typical person
$35,510
Right in the middle (median)
Higher earner
$48,570
10th from the top of 100

If 100 people had this job

Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-right

Hover over a person to see their yearly pay

52 of 100
more than half

Housekeeper pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)

Housekeeper pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$27,640$35,510$48,570about 861,000
States where housekeepers earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
Hawaii$51,600about 11,000
Nevada$46,550about 24,000
California$42,660about 103,000
District of Columbia$42,260about 4,000
Washington$42,180about 18,000

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.

What if you lived in a different state?

Pay varies a lot by state in the US
Whole US$35,510
Hawaii$51,600
Nevada$46,550
California$42,660
District of Columbia$42,260
Washington$42,180
Alabama$27,480
Louisiana$26,600
Mississippi$25,360

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

What does a housekeeper 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.

What's a typical day like?

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.

How to get this job

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.

High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.

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.

Similar jobs

Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)

Earn more in the same field

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance jobs that pay a bit more

Sources and data

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

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY