The 10 States with the Lowest Cleaner Wages

Labor costs can make or break profitability in the cleaning industry. With wages making up as much as 70% of expenses, choosing where you operate—or expand—matters. Based on 2024 wage and employment data, here are the 10 most affordable states and territories for cleaning business labor costs, ranked countdown style.

Note: While these regions offer lower average wages, business owners should balance affordability with fair pay, retention, and cleaner satisfaction to build a sustainable workforce.

For comparison, the national average cleaner wage is $16.98/hr, so every state on this list falls well below that benchmark.

10. Texas (TX)

Cleaner Wage: $15.02/hr

Wages sit nearly $2 below the national average, with a large and growing labor pool to draw from.

9. Florida (FL)

Cleaner Wage: $15.16/hr

Slightly higher than TX but still $1.80 under the U.S. average. Florida also offers one of the largest cleaner workforces, giving employers options while keeping labor affordable.

8. Arkansas (AR)

Cleaner Wage: $14.20/hr

Over $2.75 below the national rate. Wages grow more slowly here than in high-growth states like Arizona or New Mexico, making costs predictable.

7. Mississippi (MS)

Cleaner Wage: $13.27/hr

Among the lowest wages in the country—over $3.70 less than the U.S. average—with job growth strong enough to ensure a steady supply of cleaners.

6. West Virginia (WV)

Cleaner Wage: $14.71/hr

Nearly $2.25 below average with consistent labor availability. Stability makes this a low-risk hiring market.

5. Oklahoma (OK)

Cleaner Wage: $14.71/hr

Same wage level as WV, with steady job growth keeping hiring costs predictable.

4. Alabama (AL)

Cleaner Wage: $14.00/hr

Roughly $3 below the national average, with steady job growth making it a cost-efficient option in the South.

3. Guam (GU)

Cleaner Wage: $10.67/hr

Over $6 below the national average, one of the lowest in the U.S. and territories. The challenge: a shrinking labor pool may make recruitment difficult despite low wages.

2. Puerto Rico (PR)

Cleaner Wage: $9.88/hr

The lowest raw wage in the U.S. and territories—a full $7 below the U.S. average. But limited wage growth means owners may need to invest more in retention to keep staff engaged.

1. Virgin Islands (VI)

Cleaner Wage: $13.56/hr

While PR has the lowest wages, the Virgin Islands balance affordability with stronger job growth, making it a more sustainable long-term labor market.

What This Means for Owners

While these wages are lower than the national benchmark of $16.98/hr, it’s important to recognize that low costs for employers mean smaller paychecks for cleaners. The most successful cleaning businesses use affordability as an opportunity to reinvest in their teams—whether that’s by paying slightly above the market rate, offering better training, or investing in tools that make cleaners’ jobs easier.

Balancing labor costs with cleaner well-being isn’t just ethical—it’s good business. A stable, loyal workforce reduces turnover, improves service quality, and ultimately protects profitability.

💡 Pro Tip: Managing labor costs is about more than pay rates. With tools like Swept, you can track hours, prevent no-shows, and forecast payroll to stay profitable in any state.

Download the 2025 Cleaner Wage & Job Growth Report for the full breakdown of wages, growth trends, and hiring opportunities across the country.

Data Sources & Methodology

Primary Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Coverage: 2019–2024 • All 50 states + DC, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam
Occupations: SOC 37-2011 & SOC 37-1011