Research Summary. In 2026, the Zippia data science team has updated its findings on janitor salaries across the United States. Here are the key insights:
-
Massachusetts leads the nation with the highest janitor salary at $34,833.
-
Mississippi offers the lowest janitor salary at $20,031.
-
The national average salary for janitors stands at $27,954.
-
On average, janitors earn $13.44 per hour nationally.
For a detailed methodology, refer to the specific methodology.
Background
When it comes to job satisfaction, salary remains a top priority for most individuals. A common question is, “What do janitors earn in my area?” Understanding salary expectations can help job seekers make informed decisions.
While salaries can vary based on local economies and specific roles, we’ve compiled reliable data on average janitor salaries by state, categorized by experience level. Even if your city differs slightly from the state average, these figures provide a valuable benchmark for salary expectations.
Massachusetts consistently tops the list for janitor salaries, reflecting its strong economy and cost of living.
Here’s a snapshot of the top ten states offering the highest salaries for janitors:
Let’s delve deeper into the rankings and the full list of salaries by state.
Highest-Paid Janitors By State
| Rank | State | Average Janitor Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $34,833 | $28,000 | $42,000 |
| 2 | Washington | $33,992 | $26,000 | $44,000 |
| 3 | New York | $33,003 | $26,000 | $41,000 |
| 4 | Vermont | $32,505 | $26,000 | $39,000 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $32,323 | $26,000 | $40,000 |
| 6 | California | $31,178 | $23,000 | $40,000 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $30,993 | $25,000 | $37,000 |
| 8 | Maine | $30,706 | $25,000 | $37,000 |
| 9 | Oregon | $30,436 | $23,000 | $39,000 |
| 10 | North Dakota | $30,187 | $23,000 | $38,000 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $29,881 | $23,000 | $38,000 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $29,596 | $23,000 | $36,000 |
| 13 | New Jersey | $29,014 | $23,000 | $36,000 |
| 14 | Illinois | $28,635 | $22,000 | $36,000 |
| 15 | Alaska | $27,870 | $22,000 | $35,000 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $27,865 | $22,000 | $35,000 |
| 17 | Colorado | $27,278 | $21,000 | $34,000 |
| 18 | Wisconsin | $27,017 | $21,000 | $34,000 |
| 19 | Iowa | $26,874 | $21,000 | $34,000 |
| 20 | Arizona | $26,872 | $20,000 | $34,000 |
| 21 | Ohio | $26,856 | $21,000 | $34,000 |
| 22 | Maryland | $26,798 | $21,000 | $33,000 |
| 23 | Michigan | $26,621 | $20,000 | $33,000 |
| 24 | Idaho | $26,342 | $20,000 | $34,000 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $26,169 | $22,000 | $30,000 |
| 26 | Nebraska | $26,168 | $20,000 | $33,000 |
| 27 | South Dakota | $25,394 | $19,000 | $32,000 |
| 28 | Indiana | $25,323 | $19,000 | $32,000 |
| 29 | Missouri | $24,613 | $19,000 | $30,000 |
| 30 | Kansas | $24,511 | $19,000 | $31,000 |
| 31 | Virginia | $24,470 | $19,000 | $31,000 |
| 32 | Montana | $24,136 | $18,000 | $31,000 |
| 33 | Nevada | $24,009 | $18,000 | $31,000 |
| 34 | Wyoming | $23,986 | $18,000 | $30,000 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $23,918 | $19,000 | $29,000 |
| 36 | Delaware | $23,888 | $18,000 | $30,000 |
| 37 | Utah | $23,691 | $18,000 | $30,000 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $23,622 | $18,000 | $29,000 |
| 39 | West Virginia | $23,390 | $18,000 | $29,000 |
| 40 | Georgia | $23,130 | $18,000 | $28,000 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $22,987 | $18,000 | $29,000 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $22,677 | $18,000 | $28,000 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $22,657 | $18,000 | $28,000 |
| 44 | Texas | $22,360 | $17,000 | $27,000 |
| 45 | Florida | $22,199 | $18,000 | $27,000 |
| 46 | Alabama | $21,431 | $17,000 | $26,000 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $20,996 | $16,000 | $26,000 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $20,419 | $16,000 | $25,000 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $20,368 | $16,000 | $25,000 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $20,031 | $16,000 | $24,000 |
Methodology: Janitor Salary By State
To provide a comprehensive view of janitor salaries by state, Zippia aggregates data from multiple trustworthy sources, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM. This data is supplemented with actual salaries from job postings. The team then computes a weighted average based on these inputs to determine average janitor pay by state.
The rankings are based on average annual salary data for janitors across the states, helping to highlight where janitors earn the most.
Janitor Salary By State FAQs
-
What is the highest-paid state for janitors?
The highest-paid state for janitors is Massachusetts, with an average salary of $34,833 per year.
-
What city pays janitors the most?
Lexington, MA offers the highest pay for janitors, with an average salary of $34,897 per year.
-
What is the worst state for janitors?
The state with the lowest average salary for janitors is Mississippi, at $20,031 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
