Top 10 States with the Highest Labor Costs for Cleaning Businesses

Running a cleaning business means balancing service quality with labor costs. If you’re looking to expand, relocate, or budget for your team, knowing where wages are highest is critical. Here’s a detailed look at the top 10 states with the highest labor costs for janitorial staff.

10. New Hampshire (NH) – $18.20/hr

• Annual increase: 5.2%
• Supervisor premium: +46%
• Why it matters: High wages and steady growth make NH one of the pricier states for cleaning businesses.
  
  

9. Minnesota (MN) – $18.42/hr

• Annual increase: 4.4%
• Supervisor premium: +46%
• Insight: A stable labor market with high wages. Consider these costs when pricing contracts.
  
  

8. District of Columbia (DC) – $18.46/hr

• Annual increase: 4.3%
• Supervisor premium: +37%
• Insight: Competitive labor costs and high wages make DC a premium market.
  
  

7. Maine (ME) – $18.54/hr

• Annual increase: 5.2%
• Supervisor premium: +30%
• Insight: Strong wage growth, but a smaller labor market may require proactive recruiting.
  
  

6. Vermont (VT) – $18.57/hr

• Annual increase: 4.6%
• Supervisor premium: +49%
• Insight: High wages and competitive hiring. Planning ahead is key.

5. California (CA) – $18.58/hr

• Annual increase: 4.2%
• Supervisor premium: +50%
• Insight: Large talent pool, but top-tier wages and supervisory premiums require careful margin management.
  

4. Alaska (AK) – $18.77/hr

• Annual increase: 3.1%
• Supervisor premium: +45%
• Insight: High wages but slower growth. Factor labor costs into all expansion decisions.

3. New York (NY) – $19.19/hr

• Annual increase: 4.2%
• Supervisor premium: +43%
• Insight: Expensive but offers strong supervisory pay. Budget accordingly to retain staff.

2. Washington (WA) – $21.02/hr

• Annual increase: 5.0%
• Supervisor premium: +34%
• Insight: Strong wage growth, high costs. Retention strategies are essential for profitability.

1. Massachusetts (MA) – $21.43/hr

• Annual increase: 5.0%
• Supervisor premium: +34%
• Insight: The most expensive state for cleaning labor. High wages are paired with strong growth—plan your staffing and budgets carefully.

Key Takeaways for Cleaning Business Owners

• Labor costs aren’t just wages – factor in benefits, overtime, and turnover.
• Supervisor premiums matter – promoting staff can significantly raise costs.
• Growth trends affect budgeting – states like MA and WA have both high current wages and strong annual increases.
• Market size vs. cost – bigger markets (CA, NY) offer more talent at a higher price; smaller states (ME, VT) may need competitive hiring strategies.
  

Want the full picture?  Download the complete 2025 Cleaner Wage Growth Report  and see which states are driving the highest wages for cleaning businesses.

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