Evening Cleaner Office Building in Houston

As per the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, the federal minimum wage for non-exempt cleaning staff under the FLSA is $7.25 per hour as of January 1, 2026. Overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate is required for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Some states mandate higher rates, such as $15.00 per hour minimum in New York as of January 1, 2025.

As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for janitors and building cleaners in the US is projected at $40,400 or $19.43 per hour in 2026 based on 3.1 percent annual growth from the May 2023 median of $37,010. The lowest 10 percent earn less than $27,440 annually, while the highest 10 percent earn more than $51,510. Wages vary by location, with higher pay in metropolitan areas like New York at $45,200 median.

As per U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the H-2B visa allows temporary non-agricultural workers, including cleaning staff for seasonal or peak-load needs, with a statutory cap of 66,000 visas per fiscal year supplemented by 64,716 additional visas for FY 2025 extending into 2026. Employers must obtain temporary labor certification from DOL before filing Form I-129. Processing time is 2-4 months with fees of $460 base plus $500 fraud fee.

As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, no formal educational credential is required for janitors and cleaners, though some employers prefer a high school diploma or equivalent. Entry-level positions typically involve short-term on-the-job training of less than 30 days. No prior experience is necessary for most roles.