Salary Outlook
There’s a wide pay scale within this industry. A janitor’s average salary was slightly south of $25,000 in 2011. But the best-paid made about $37,000, and the lowest-paid only garnered about $16,720 in a year. Sanitation workers employed by warehouses and the postal service secured the top salaries, as did those who live in Danbury, Conn., Brockton, Mass., and Oakland, Calif.
| Job Salary | Year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | $19,060.00 |
| 2004 | $18,030.00 |
| 2006 | $19,270.00 |
| 2008 | $20,820.00 |
| 2010 | $22,010.00 |
Average Janitor Pay vs. All Social Services Jobs
Maids and janitors have some overlapping duties, but the later occupation is more lucrative. In 2011, the average salary for a maid was nearly $3,000 less than that of a sanitation worker. Other social services workers, however, tend to earn considerably more than janitors do. As an example, maintenance workers have an average salary of $34,730, and patrol officers earn about $53,540. Comparable salaries to that of a janitor include a security guard’s, a hairdresser’s, and a landscaper’s.
| Job Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Patrol Officer | $54,230.00 |
| Maintenance & Repair Worker | $35,030.00 |
| Security Guard | $23,900.00 |
| Landscaper & Groundskeeper | $23,410.00 |
| Hairdresser | $22,570.00 |
| Janitor | $22,370.00 |
| Maid & Housekeeper | $19,390.00 |
See Complete List of Best Social Services Jobs
Best Paying Cities for Janitors
The highest paid in the janitor profession work in the metropolitan areas of Danbury, CT, Brockton, MA, and Oakland, CA. The New York City, NY area also pays well, as does the city of Worcester, MA.
Danbury, CT
Average Salary: $34,420 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a janitor working in Danbury, CT is $34,420, which is $12,050 more than the average pay in the profession.
Brockton, MA
Average Salary: $32,460 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a janitor working in Brockton, MA is $32,460, which is $10,090 more than the average pay in the profession.
Oakland, CA
Average Salary: $31,700 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a janitor working in Oakland, CA is $31,700, which is $9,330 more than the average pay in the profession.
New York City, NY
Average Salary: $31,680 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a janitor working in New York City, NY is $31,680, which is $9,310 more than the average pay in the profession.
Worcester, MA
Average Salary: $31,600 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a janitor working in Worcester, MA is $31,600, which is $9,230 more than the average pay in the profession.
